Acne Scars Types and Which Treatments Help

Acne scars are not all the same, and the type of scar determines which treatments will help, which is why a one-size-fits-all approach so often disappoints. Scars divide broadly into atrophic scars, the indented ones, and hypertrophic or raised scars, plus the flat dark or red marks that are not true scars at all, and each responds to a different set of interventions.The dark and red marks left after a breakout are post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and erythema, and they usually fade on their own over months. Sunscreen speeds the fading by preventing the marks from darkening further, and ingredients like azelaic acid or retinoids can accelerate it, but these marks are not scars and generally do not require procedures.True indented scars, the boxcar, rolling, and icepick types, are the ones that need procedural help, because they involve a loss of collagen and structure that no cream can rebuild. Treatments range from microneedling and chemical peels for shallow scars, to laser resurfacing and subcision for deeper ones, and the choice depends