Understanding acne scars: 3 types of scars and how we treat them

Acne comes in many different forms. Just like acne, the scars left behind following breakouts can also come in many different types. Eternal Dermatology & Aesthetic Center has numerous therapies to help you put these painful reminders of acne behind you. Located in Columbia, Maryland, and easily accessible to those in Washington, DC, all treatments for removing these scars generally start by controlling your flare-ups. Here, we walk you through three types of acne scars and the potential treatment options at our Columbia, Maryland, area specialty center, which welcomes patients from Washington, DC. 

No. 1: Depressed or sunken-in scars

All scars, whether due to acne, surgery, or injury, result from your skin attempting to heal itself. During that process, the body may produce too little collagen. There may be a lack of tissue, which can produce those characteristic depressions or dimples in the skin. This type of scarring may be helped significantly with laser or light-based therapy. In part, this process stimulates collagen production to help “fill in” those depressed areas. Your skin looks and feels smoother. Dr. Rodney also has considerable expertise in caring for the unique needs of melanated skin. So, you can avoid the risks of complications that have traditionally been associated with certain lasers when treating darker skin tones. Other options may include collagen-boosting microneedling, resurfacing with chemical peels, and topical treatments to reduce the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or dark spots left behind. 

No. 2: Hypertrophic or raised scars

As your skin heals following breakouts, too much tissue may form. In this case, your body produces too much collagen. The result is a bumpy or elevated area from the rest of the surrounding skin. Patients with certain raised scars, such as flesh-colored papular or bumpy scars, may be good candidates for laser therapy. Other options include steroid injections and/or prescription medications to shrink the scar and make it look less noticeable. 

Before & After Results

• This patient came to us with concerns about acne, skin discoloration, and scarring that had persisted for years.
• She underwent a combination of topical medications, chemical peels, and laser skin treatments.
• The patient was thrilled to feel confident going out without needing to wear makeup to cover blemishes.

• This patient came to us with severe acne scarring on the face.
• We treated the scarring with a series of microneedling and laser treatments.
• These results were achieved 4 months after starting treatment and continue to improve over time.

• This patient came to us with severe acne that had persisted for years and did not improve with topical or oral medications.
• We performed a series of three Sebacia acne treatments.
• The after photo shows the results two months after the Sebacia treatments. These results continued to improve in the following months, providing long-lasting outcomes.

View More Results

No. 3: Keloids

Keloids are often categorized as hypertrophic scars. However, they differ from other raised scars. Whereas other hypertrophic scars do not grow beyond their “borders” or sites of origin, keloids can grow significantly and rapidly beyond their original areas. They may even interfere with your mobility and function, making it painful and itchy. Dr. Rodney has the comprehensive expertise to offer innovative therapies, including targeting the excess keloid tissue with steroid injections. These injections may be combined with lasers, cryotherapy (controlled “freezing”), and surgical excision or scar tissue removal to support the best results. 

Eternal Dermatology & Aesthetic Center has also had great success with our “Acne Scar Revolution,” a four-month blended protocol to clear and smooth skin based on each patient’s needs, including the type(s) of acne scars that may be present. And, yes, it is possible to have more than one type of acne scar. So, treatments would vary based on whether you are targeting a raised scar, depressed scar, or keloid. There are even subcategories of scarring that we account for, as not all depressed scars are the same, either. 

To start moving forward from past acne breakouts, schedule a consultation by calling our Columbia, MD, area office today at (301) 479-6544. We’re also a trusted destination for patients from Washington, DC.

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