Acne is a very common problem that almost everyone will have to deal with. However, if it's not treated properly, it can cause scarring on your face. If you have acne scarring on your face, then you are probably wondering how to treat a properly. Before you begin any type of treatment program you must be able to identify the different types of acne scars because each one needs to be treated differently.
There are many different types of acne scars, but they can be broken down into two major categories. These categories are atrophic and hypertrophic. When the scar is formed due to the loss of tissues, it is called atrophic scars and those scars that are formed due to the excess of tissue formation are known as hypertrophic scars.
Within these two categories, there are also four subcategories of acne scars which are ice pick, boxcar, rolling and Keloid scars. Below is a list of the four types of scars, and how you can effectively treat each one.
Ice pick scars are very deep and narrow that usually extends in to the dermis. It got its name ice pick because the skin looks as if it is pricked with an ice pick or a very sharp instrument. Some ice pick scars look like small deep hole in the skin but some look like big open pores. This scar usually develops after an infection that is caused by a cyst or other deep inflammation in the skin surface. The skin tissues are destroyed which leads to a deep scar. This scar is treated with punch excising or punch grafting.
The Boxcar scars are round or oval depressions with a steep vertical side. This boxcar scars are wider than ice pick scars and it leaves a pitted appearance on the skin surface. During inflammation the collagen is destroyed, and there is a tissue loss. The skin over this area does not have any support which leads to the depression on the skin surface. Depending on the tissue loss, the boxcar scars may be superficial or severe. They are treated using punch excision or elevation, laser resurfacing and dermal fillers.
The rolling scars creates rolling or 'wave like' inundations on the skin surface. When fibrous band of tissue is formed between skin and subcutaneous tissues, rolling scars are formed. These fibrous bands pull the epidermis and bind it to the deeper structures of the skin. This automatically creates a rolling appearance on the skin surface. These types of acne scars can be treated using the subcision method.
The Keloid scars or hypertrophic scars look like raised, firm mass of tissue. The size of theses scars are generally bigger than the size of the original wound. These hypertrophic scars which are caused by acne are normally found in the men's torso. The hypertrophic scars are not formed due to loss of any tissue in the skin. It is caused by the excess formation of tissues or overproduction of collagen. Treatments for this hypertrophic scar include steroidal cream, tapes or injections. These steroidal creams, tapes and injections tend to shrink and flatten the scar tissues. To soften the skin tissues, interferon injections are also used.
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