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Scars are a natural part of the way our body heals itself. Whenever the dermis is damaged new collagen, which is the fibrous protein that gives skin its strength and elasticity, is formed by the skin to repair the damage. Sometimes the body produces an excess amount of collagen and the result is what we would consider “scarring”; the raised or discoloured marks that are left after we injure ourselves. Acne scars, on the other hand, are most likely to be depressed rather than raised on the skin. This is known medically as atrophic scarring, rather than hypertrophic (raised) scarring. But what damage does Acne cause on skin to produce scarring in the first place?

Acne itself is a common skin disease that is made up by a variety of skin-based symptoms, ranging from pimples, black heads & white heads, seborrhoea (scaly, discoloured skin), up to boils and cysts in severe cases; known as cystic acne. Not all of the symptoms of acne cause scarring; it is most often caused by pustules, papules or cysts, which we could collectively describe as inflamed lesions. And it is this inflammation which is the root of why acne causes swelling.

Inflammation is caused by dead skin cells, bacteria and oil collecting in the follicle or pore. This causes swelling and often results in breaks or tears in the follicle wall. If this takes place near the surface of the skin, the damage is normally quite minor and quick to heal. The real problem arises if the break is deep in the follicle wall, which takes much longer for the body to heal. All the infected material that has collected; the bacteria and dead cells & oil; spills out destroying healthy skin tissue and damaging the dermis. It is this dermis damage that causes acne to scar.

In addition to scarring, many of those suffering from the disease will notice dark pink or brownish spots appearing on the skin where acne has healed in the past. This is known as Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) and is simply the natural discoloration that follows damage to the skin by inflammation. Thankfully, the effects of PIH fade over time, often between 3 months up to 2 years. For those who wish to get rid of the discoloration sooner, over-the-counter skin lightening treatments are available, as well as more serious options which can be recommended by your doctor.