Acne scars can linger long after breakouts have cleared and leave behind textural changes and uneven skin tone. At Austin Skin & Wellness, we see patients every day who are dealing with acne scarring from inflammatory breakouts and cystic acne. We always start by evaluating the type and severity of scarring and then go over our treatment options for smoother, more even skin. If you have acne scars that aren’t going away, we can help.
Learn More
Acne scars are lasting changes in the skin’s texture or tone that develop after inflammatory acne heals. When a breakout damages deeper layers of skin, the body’s healing process can produce too much or too little collagen. Sometimes this causes raised scars, but usually, acne scars are depressed areas of the skin that have less collagen than before the breakout.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is also common, a condition that leaves flat, darkened spots due to excess melanin production after injury. Acne scars can affect patients of all skin types, but professional treatments can improve their appearance.
Acne scars form when inflamed blemishes like cysts or deep pimples damage the surrounding skin tissue. As the skin repairs itself, it may produce an uneven amount of collagen. If you pick or squeeze breakouts, or you delay treatment, this can increase the likelihood that your skin will scar. Those with darker skin tones tend to be more prone to PIH, but people of all skin types can experience these textural and pigmentation changes.
The best treatment depends on the type of scars you have. Depressed scars, such as rolling or boxcar scars, often respond well to microneedling or laser treatments that stimulate collagen production. Discoloration and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may improve with chemical peels, laser therapy or targeted facials. At Austin Skin & Wellness, we evaluate your skin and create a customized treatment plan based on scar type and severity.
The number of treatments will depend on the type of scars you have and how severe they are. Usually, icepick scars are the hardest to treat. They affect deeper tissue that is often not treated well with surface-level options. With treatments like microneedling and lighter facials, we will have you come in for three to four treatments or more to get good results.
Sometimes, it is not possible to completely eliminate all acne scars. However, professional treatments can significantly reduce their appearance and make the surface of the skin much smoother and healthier. Your results will depend on the type and severity of scarring and the treatment plan recommended. We will evaluate your skin to suggest options that can help you get the best improvement possible.
Atrophic is a term used for the type of scars that result from too little collagen production, creating a depressed area in the skin. Hypertropic refers to scars that result from overproduction and are raised above the skin. Another type of scar, called a keloid scar, is also raised but grows beyond the borders of the original injury. Acne scar treatments work best on atrophic scars.
Discoloration from acne may fade over time, but acne scars that cause pits or depressions in the skin do not resolve without treatment, and may worsen in appearance with age as collagen production declines. These types of acne scars cause structural changes in the skin and require professional treatments to stimulate collagen remodeling and improve texture.
We’re here to help you nurture both your skin and soul, and answer any questions you may have.
If you are dealing with acne scars, we can help you better understand your skin and available options. At Austin Skin & Wellness, we work with patients in Austin, TX, to address acne scarring using treatments that are completely customizable. To learn more, schedule a consultation online or call 512-551-8551 to speak with our team.
