Types of acne scars and how we can help

2nd April 2019
About your skin

Acne and acne scars can have a significant impact on a sufferer’s appearance and self-confidence. This can continue long after the acne itself has receded – the scars can last a lifetime.

At Melior Clinics we have a range of treatments to help reduce the appearance of acne scars. In this article we look at the different types of scarring and how we can help.

Causes of acne scarring

Scarring can be caused by any type of acne, particularly if inflammation has occurred due to picking or squeezing the spots.

It’s also commonly found as a result of nodules or cysts, which can damage the skin around them when they burst.

Ice pick scars

What do ice pick scars look like?

Ice pick scars appear as small but deep pits in the skin. They almost look like they’ve been made by a pointed instrument, hence the name.

They occur when the body doesn’t produce enough collagen to fully heal after a spot has become inflamed or infected.

Treatments for ice pick scars

Laser rejuvenation treatment can be used to penetrate the areas of scarring and trigger the body’s natural healing processes.

Skin peels, which promote new cell growth can be effective in dealing with ice pick scars.

The collagen-boosting properties of fractional mesotherapy can also help the body to naturally heal the scars.

For deep scars, dermal fillers can be injected to push up the base of the scar and make it more flush with the surrounding skin.

Rolling scars

What do rolling scars look like?

Rather than presenting as small, individual scars, rolling acne scarring causes an overall uneven appearance on the skin. It looks a bit like hills and valleys across the surface of the skin.

Rolling scars occur as a result of damage under the skin.

Treatments for rolling scars

Fractional mesotherapy, which can induce collagen production at a deep level, can be successful in reducing the appearance of rolling acne scars.

Profhilo is an injectable hyaluronic acid gel, which deeply hydrates and lifts the skin in targeted areas to reduce the appearance of rolling acne scarring.

The CACI non-surgical facelift, which has an overall improving and lifting effect on the skin, can also be used to improve the appearance of rolling scars.

Boxcar scars

What do boxcar scars look like?

These are small scars which are square, round or oval in shape. Unlike ice pick scars, they are fairly shallow with vertical sides, looking a bit like craters.

Boxcar scars are caused by the same issue as ice pick scars – the skin not producing enough collagen to heal after an inflamed or infected spot.

Treatments for boxcar scars

Boxcar scars can be effectively managed through laser rejuvenation treatments. These penetrate the skin in the area of scarring and encourage natural healing of the scar.

Fractional mesotherapy induces collagen production, which can encourage the body to naturally heal boxcar scars.

The deeply hydrating hyaluronic acid in Profhilo can also be an effective treatment to carefully target and plump out boxcar acne scars.

Skin peels can also provide an effective remedy, as the chemicals used promote new skin growth.

Deeper boxcar scar may also benefit from dermal filler injections to raise the base of the scar to your natural skin level.

Hypertrophic keloid scars

What do hypertrophic keloid scars look like?

This type of scarring is raised up above the surface of the skin, becoming larger than the original wound.

It’s the result of any type of damage to the skin, and it isn’t known what causes the scar to continue growing beyond the extent of the original wound.