A dermatosis condition in which dead epidermal cells, along with oil, plug the hair follicles, resulting in various types of face scars, is called acne. There can be different kinds of acne scars, from mild or moderate to severe.
The symptoms of acne are:
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Crusting and flaking skin bumps
- Papules and pustules (small red bumps)
- Purulent pimples or cysts
In certain severe instances of face acne, purulent pimples known as cysts can result in excruciating pain. Severe acne after healing might also leave various types of acne marks like ice pick scars, boxcar scars, atrophic scars, rolling scars and hypertrophic and keloid scars.
People have a habit of poking on their purulent pimples or cysts to get the pus out, leading to various types of acne scars on the face, as mentioned above. It can be difficult to remove acne scar.
Ice Pick Scars
Deep and narrow V-shaped scars that are less than 2mm wide are called ice pick scars. They are called as such because upon an initial look, and it seems like a hole has been poked into the dermis by an ice pick-like sharp object. The treatment of this scar may need a blend of different therapies in more than one session. In punch excision, the skin is removed from the scar, and the wound is stitched close, leaving behind a thin scar (less visible than the initial acne scar).
Ice pick acne scars are developed due to infection to the dermis or skin surface from a cyst or any other purulent irritating pimple. The infection destroys the skin tissue and leaves behind a deep scar.
Boxcar Scars
Boxcar scars are deep crater-like cavities in the skin caused by irritating pimples or cysts. Due to this, the dermis gets depressed, creating a crater like spot These scars are broader than the ice pick scars. Although they are not physically harmful for health, they may drastically affect someone psychologically as it has an effect on the facial appearance, it may result in low self-esteem and self-deprecation.
treatments, including subcision (release scar with needle) Co2 laser resurfacing, filler (injects to plump or fill the skin containing fat from another part of the body) and chemical peel among many others.
Rolling Scars
Rolling scars are sloped dents in the skin that are 4 to 5 millimetres wide. They are very difficult to conceal with cosmetics and affect the face appearance quite a lot. Rolling acne scars may have a psychological effect on a person resulting in self-deprecation and low self-esteem.
Rolling acne scars are caused by a thread-like strand of tissues developing under the skin. The rolling appearance is due to these strands tugging on the skin from within. The treatments for these types of acne scars include punch excision or grafting, chemical reformation (acids are injected to promote the collagen), laser treatment (removing the skin over the scar to start healing or promote the production of collagen), chemical peel and dermal fillers among many.
Hypertrophic And Keloid Scars
Stiff and protruding scars over the dermis surface are Hypertrophic scars. These are mainly found on the chest and torso of men. They are very ordinary, seen after some abrasion or bruise. Keloid scars are more terrible because they keep growing long after the bruise or wound that caused it has healed.
Hypertrophic and keloid scars are both caused due to an overabundance of collagen. The excess is because the skin continues to form collagen long after the wound has healed. Intralesional triamcelenol,cold frosting are routinely used as treatment.
Certain people don’t ever experience acne. But if you do have any of these types of acne marks, book an appointment with Dr. Umesh Shah. You may consult with our experts for any information and treatments regarding acne scars.