Before undergoing treatment for acne scars, it’s crucial to understand the type of acne scars you have. Only by knowing your specific condition can you choose the right treatment and achieve the desired results. Below, I will summarize four primary types of acne scars to help you adopt the most suitable treatment measures more effectively.
First, let’s look at “boxcar scars.” These scars are shaped like sunken boxes and are usually caused by large acne lesions that have swollen and ruptured. After breaking, if the skin is damaged during the healing process, it may form these angular indentations. For this type of acne scar, the effects of superficial treatments like lasers or microdermabrasion are often unsatisfactory. To achieve significant improvement, we need to perform deeper tissue restructuring to visually reduce the appearance of the scars.
Next are “ice pick scars,” which resemble grooves left by slicing through the skin with a small knife. They can be classified into superficial and deep types based on their depth, with most patients typically having the superficial kind. In this case, TCA CROSS (trichloroacetic acid chemical reconstruction of skin scars) may be considered; however, if the acne scars are very deep and the skin feels hard, indicating severe scar tissue, then these cases require professional treatment. Otherwise, even TCA CROSS might not resolve the issue.
The third type is “rolling scars.” These scars form without the acne lesions breaking and appear wavy. The good news is that there are currently effective treatment options for this type of scar, such as subcision, which usually leads to good results after one or two treatments.
Lastly, we have “hypertrophic scars,” which occur in more severe cases of acne and result in small, raised scars. Treating these acne scars typically requires multiple steroid injections to achieve a smoother appearance. Additionally, the color of these scars may take several years to fade, and laser treatments can assist in this process.
The treatment of acne scars is not limited to a single type; many patients may have a combination of different types of scars, which complicates treatment. For instance, some patients may experience skin atrophy due to severe acne scars, necessitating a complex treatment plan involving multiple layers and approaches to improve the condition.
If you have questions about the state of your acne scars, it’s not advisable to rely solely on a few photos to inquire about treatment options. Without directly observing your skin condition, doctors may find it challenging to provide accurate recommendations. Professional skin assessments and examinations are necessary to effectively evaluate your acne scar situation. Especially if the scarred areas have hardened, more frequent subcutaneous treatments may be required to soften the scars.