What causes acne scars?

Acne scars result from the skin’s healing process after severe or improperly managed acne. Here’s a breakdown of the key factors:

1. Inflammation

• Severe inflammation damages the skin’s deeper layers, including collagen and elastin.
• The greater the inflammation, the higher the chance of scarring.

2. Delayed Treatment

• Leaving acne untreated allows inflammation to persist, increasing the risk of permanent damage.

3. Picking or Popping Pimples

• Forcefully popping or picking at acne disrupts the skin's natural healing process.
• This can push bacteria deeper into the skin, leading to more damage and scarring.

4. Loss of Collagen

• When the skin loses collagen during the healing process, it can create atrophic (depressed) scars like ice-pick, boxcar, or rolling scars.

5. Excess Collagen Production

• Some scars, like hypertrophic or keloid scars, form due to overproduction of collagen during healing.

6. Type of Acne

• Severe forms of acne, like cystic or nodular acne, are more likely to leave scars compared to milder forms.
• Deeper acne lesions damage multiple layers of skin.

7. Genetics

• Genetic predisposition can make some people more prone to developing acne scars.
• Family history of scarring may increase your likelihood.

8. Skin Type

• Darker skin tones are more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), while lighter skin tones are more likely to develop redness or indentations.