Acne Scar Symptoms and Causes

Acne scars are part of the skin's natural healing process after the active acne lesion resolves.

Incidence: Very Common
○ More than 3 million US cases per year
○ Treatable by a medical professional
○ Requires a medical diagnosis
○ Lab tests or imaging not required

Some people seem more prone to scarring than others and the reason is likely genetic. However, picking at or squeezing acne pimples causes more inflammation and more scarring than if the lesions were left alone.

Actively treating acne and reducing the amount of inflammation most likely reduces the risk of scarring. Many small acne scars can become nearly invisible given enough time to heal, but for scars that are large, thick, indented or raised, scar treatment is available to reduce their appearance.

Cause of acne scars: Acne is typically the result of inflamed blemishes caused by skin pores engorged with excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. The pore swells, causing a break in the follicle wall. Shallow lesions are usually minor and heal quickly.