Acne scarring

Acne scarring develops when deeper inflammation damages the skin's collagen during the healing process. Unlike pigmentation, which affects the colour of the skin, acne scars change the skin's texture. There are several different types of acne scars. Some are narrow and deep, often called ice pick scars. Others are wider with more defined edges, known as boxcar scars. Rolling scars create a softer, uneven appearance, while some people have a combination of different scar types across the same area. One of the biggest misconceptions we see is people confusing acne scars with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Dark marks left behind after a breakout are not true scars and can often improve significantly with the right treatment. Acne scars, however, are structural changes within the skin and require a different approach. Before treating acne scarring, it's important that active acne is under control. Treating skin that's still breaking out can increase inflammation, trigger new pigmentation and affect your results. Once your skin is stable, we can create a personalised treatment plan using collagen-stimulating treatments to gradually improve skin texture and soften the appearance of scarring over time.