Acne Scars

There are three types of acne scars. These are called ice pick, acne pit, and raised scars. Proper treatment and care of the skin will help to prevent the conditions that produce scars.

Ice pick scars are large, visible, open pores that look as if the skin has been jabbed with an ice pick or other sharp, thin instrument. The follicle (pore) always looks open, as if a small hole has been made in the skin. This condition is caused by a deep pimple or cyst that has destroyed the follicle as the infection worked its way to the surface of the skin (Fig. 78).

Acne pit scars are indented and are due to pimples or cysts that have destroyed the skin and formed scar tissue. The scar has a slightly sunken or depressed appearance (Fig. 7.9).

When several large cysts have clumped together, and as scar tissue forms, a lumpy mass of raised tissue is created on the surface of the skin, known as raised scars (Fig. 7.10).