Acne Scarring 101

Acne is a very upsetting skin disorder but what is worse is the development of acne scars. Many individuals develop acne and then it disappears without any hassles. However, a number of other individuals (the unlucky ones) develop acne and it leaves the face with ugly scars. Why one person develops acne scars and others do not know is not fully understood. Acne scars are never nice and can severely compromise beauty of the face.

Whenever injury occurs to the skin, the body attempts to repair the damage. The healing process goes quite smooth in most cases, but often the body does crazy things and scars develop. Whenever the balance between healing and repair is altered, acne scars occur. In general, scars occur because of too much healing by the body.

African Americans and individuals with dark skin often develop evidence of exaggerated healing by forming keloids. This same principle applies to acne.

There are two basic types of acne scars- in some cases the skin is thick and raised like a keloid and in others, the scar is depressed and looks like an ice pick. Individuals with acne generally develop one of these scars. Acne scars are most common in Orientals, Asians African Americans and individual with dark skin. However, even those with fair skin can develop acne scars.

Analysis of acne scars has shown that in most cases it is excessive deposition of a certain tissue that causes scars. This is fibrous tissue. That is why acne scars appear hard, woody and rough- typical characteristics of fibrous tissue. The fibrous tissue is often quite deep and very difficult to treat. For any acne scar treatment to work, it must be able to penetrate deep in the tissues and get rid of fibrous tissue.