Why is acne scary? More than 50 percent with acnes responds that acne is not only about the pimples. What scarier is the possibility of developing its future scars. Healing the pimples might be much easier than removing its permanent scars—the scars which are cosmetically disturbing. Statistically, acne is mostly experienced by teens and adults below 40. The degree and frequency of acne outbreak might be varied among people. In most cases, acne is caused by excessive sebum production by sebaceous glands which is common before the age of 20. Along with accumulation of sebum, inflammation develops in the skin pore cells. This results in blackheads or whiteheads which may develop into pus-filled raised skin pore, referred as acne.

Risk factors

Acne is caused by various factors, including:

1. Hormonal changes such as in teenagers and pregnant women. Hormonal changes can also be caused by certain medications.
2. Genetics role. Acne is also determined by genetics and inheritance.
3. Stress might worsen the existing acne.
4. Oily substances. Contacts between skin and oily substances might heighten the possibility of acne development.

Types of acne scars

Corresponding to variety of acnes, its scars also varies in different shapes and sizes. Therefore, these scars might require different kinds of treatments. Knowing your type of acne is helpful in determining how to properly treat it, since acne treatment is not one-for-all. Common types of acne scars are:

1. Rolling acne scars. This acne scar is caused by long-term inflammatory acnes. Rolling acne scars causes the skin to depress with sloping edges. This causes the surface of facial skin, especially the cheeks to be uneven with several rolling parts.
2. Box car acne scars. Box car is also classified as depressed acne scars. Different from rolling acne scars which has sloping edges, box car acne scars is signed by bolder, more clearly-defined edges, similar to the shape of a box. Box scars usually affect some smaller areas compared to rolling acne scars which may affect the whole cheeks.
3. Ice pick acne scars. Ice pick scars resembles the box car acne scars, but it is like a large, empty pore in the skin. Ice pick scars is usually larger than the box car scars and forms deeper pits. Ice pick acne scars is believed to be the hardest type of acne scars to remove.
4. Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. This acne scar is signed by uneven skin tone between the affected skin and the skin around it.

Treatments for acne scars

Various treatments are used to minimize the visibility if acne scars. A dermatologist advice may be needed to define the type of acne scars and what treatment is the most suitable. Some treatments are minor and more affordable, such as:

1. This treatment is performed by reducing the depth of pitted scars using a high-speed brush which is buffered on the affected areas. This treatment is effective for treating rolling acne scars to flatten the affected skin surface.
2. Micro-dermabrasion. This treatment is performed by a dermatologist by spraying tiny crystal to remove the skin surface. Since the flattening is performed using tiny particles instead of a high-speed brush, there is no downtime in micro-dermabrasion compared to dermabrasion which needs several days for the treated area to heal.
3. Chemical peels. This treatment is suitable for acne scars which causes discoloration—hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation. This treatment is performed by a dermatologist or aesthetician by applying certain chemical onto the surface of the skin, resulting in a more even skin surface, blending the hyper or hypo-pigmented area.

Plastic surgery for acne scars removal

Some plastic surgeries can also be performed to treat acne scars. This procedure can be effective for some other kinds of acne scars, especially those with deep pitted area, such as the box car and ice pick acne scars.The surgeries include:

1. This treatment is done through depressed pits fill-out. Collagen injection is the most common filler treatment, which is performed by filling it out the pitted skin and let it to be absorbed by the skin, leaving the scarred skin smoother and more even.
2. Excisions is also effective for deep pitted acne scars. The procedure is performed by cutting out or excising the scars. The hole left then is stitched to produce even skin.
3. Skin grafting. Skin grafting is a costly acne removal surgery, since it requires a more complicated procedure in treating pitted acne scars. In skin grafting, a dermatologist will use a small area of the healthy skin to fill in an area of pitted skin.

Despite the improvements got from these treatments, it is important to notice that complete acne scars removal can be impossible. Therefore, treating acnes properly to avoid future scarring might be more important.