Acne scars are sometimes left behind when the swollen pimples fade away. These visible reminders can range from small and barely noticeable to extreme obvious marks on the skin. Treatments to reduce the appearance of acne scars may depend on the type of scar, with some treatments having more success with particular types than others.
Rolling Scars
Rolling scars are a type of depressed acne scar, leaving a wide indentation in the skin where the acne once was. These scars look like wavy bumps across the surface of the face or other affected areas of the body. Laser skin resurfacing may help lessen the appearance of rolling scars. Temporary fillers can help disguise the scars for a few months at a time. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion and saline injections can all be used to diminish mild acne scarring.
Icepick Scars
Icepick scars also involve a depression into the skin, but these are shaped more like puncture marks, with sharp sides and a narrow opening. They typically measure about 1 to 2 mm in diameter, according to the Acne Guide. Surgeries are a treatment option such as punch excision, in which the scar is cut entirely out, and punch elevation, in which after a punch excision the bottom of the scar is raised to flatten out the skin. Some other methods such as laser resurfacing and microdermabrasion are not as effective because these types of scars go too deep into the skin and these treatments mainly work at the surface levels.
Boxcar Scars
Boxcar scars resemble small boxes set into the skin with short walls down into a flat bottom, similar to the scars left by chicken pox. They appear most often on the cheeks and the temple. These are also considered a type of depressed acne scar. Boxcar scars don't respond as well as rolling scars to laser resurfacing, but for some this technique works well. Microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, chemical peels and fillers all work for shallow boxcar scars, but not for deeper ones.
Keloids
Keloids are raised scars that grow past their original borders to create a think rubbery patch on the skin, explains the American Academy of Dermatology. Individuals of African, Asian or Hispanic descent are more likely to get keloid scars. Corticosteroid injections can be used to treat keloid scars and generally these help flatten the scar. For keloid scars that don't respond to injections, surgery plus another complementary treatment such as injections, pressure or radiation can help. Pulsed dye laser therapy is another treatment some people try for keloids. Topical medications for keloids are another option, including silicone gel and the prescription treatment tretinoin.
Hypertrophic Scars
A hypertrophic scar is a different type of raised acne scar, but this type remains small and confined to the original borders of the acne. Hypertrophic scars often become smaller with time, sometimes shrinking down to become almost unnoticeable. Pulsed dye laser therapy and cryotherapy, freezing the scar to cause it to fall off, are two options used to reduce the appearance of hypertrophic scars.
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