Acne Marks and Scars

What are acne marks and scars?

Acne is one of the commonest skin conditions seen by dermatologists. There are many effective treatments that are available to help patients control active acne. However, some patients may still have to tackle the problems of acne marks and scars after the acne has subsided.

Acne marks are red initially fading to brown gradually. They are temporary and generally improve over time.

Scars are permanent and do not fade over time. Scars may be depressed below the skin or protruding above the skin (hypertrophic scars or keloids). Depressed scars can be subdivided into rolling scars, box car scars and pitted scars.

What is the treatment for acne marks and scars?

Acne marks may be left alone to fade over time. Lightening creams, LED light, intense pulsed light and certain lasers (pulsed dye laser, pigment laser) may help to speed up the fading of red and brown marks.

Hypertrophic scars and keloids can be flattened by steroid injection into the scar tissue. Several sessions may be required.

Depressed scars can be improved by microdermabrasion, chemical peels, filler injections, scar excision (where deep pitted scars are surgically removed and stitched), subcision (where a fine needle is introduced beneath the depressed scars to break the tethering scar tissue) and lasers (e.g. fractional carbon dioxide laser, non ablative laser, Pico laser).

The type of treatment selected will depend on the depth and width of the scars, the downtime involved, and the patient’s preference. A combination of treatments may be needed for best results.