Types of Pimple Scars and Their Characteristics

Pimple scars are marks left by acne, particularly the severe kind. These marks are difficult to remove, and more often than not, require surgery or laser treatment to be completely eradicated. The first thing that we need to know about these scars is that there are more than one kind and each kind requires a particular method of treatment.

Pimple scars can have either a depressed or a bump-like appearance. The former is caused by loss of tissue, while the latter is formed because of an increase in tissue formation. Acne scars that cause depression on the skin can be ice pick scars, rolling scars or box car scars. Ice pick has the appearance of a deep pit, while box cars are angular in form. Rolling scars, on the other hand, have wave-like appearance and have less sharp angles than the first two kinds.

Bump-like scars left by acne are called keloids or hypertrophic scars. These are caused by an excessive growth of collagen. The overproduction of collagen is the common response of skin cells to injury and acne does produce this kind of response. The extra collagen creates a fibrous, mass-like bump that becomes keloids or hypertrophic scars. Whether a person will develop a hypertrophic or a depressed type of scar will depend on a number of factors, including the extent of the injury and whether keloids run on his or her family.

Because acne scars are caused by severe forms of acne, a person will have a better chance of preventing scarring if pimples are controlled at their earliest stage. A lot of treatment methods, such as laser treatment, have also been made available to help people eradicate scars caused by acne. It will also help if pimple sufferers will avoid the tendency to pick at their acne. The dirt from our hands can cause infection that could exacerbate the inflammation of the zits, which could then lead to scars, particularly after the pimples have erupted.

Pimple scars are difficult to remove, but thanks to technology and modern medicine, there are now several options for eradicating these marks. The important thing is to understand the type of scars first and the options that are available to those who have them. Consulting a dermatologist or a skin expert is till the best way to understand what type of scar you have and to know how to get rid of it.