Acne scars are permanent skin lesions caused by severe or inflammatory acne and abnormal healing after the resolution of lesions (e.g., pimples, pustules, cysts).
What causes acne scars?
When inflammatory acne lesions penetrate deeply into the skin, they destroy skin tissue. The body tries to repair the damage but produces either too much or too little collagen, resulting in:
- Hypertrophic/keloid scars (excess collagen production)
- Atrophic scars (insufficient collagen production)
Treatment of acne scars
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the scar:
- Laser (fractional CO₂, erbium)
- Microneedling
- Chemical peeling
- Fillers (e.g., hyaluronic acid)
- PRP (platelet-rich plasma)
- Corticosteroid injections (for hypertrophic scars)
In every case, you should consult your dermatologist.
Watch Dr. Peros’s talk on acne scars