Experiencing acne is a double-punch for many people. First, there is the discomfort and embarrassment of the initial breakout, and then, the mark left on skin after the breakout has cleared. It is a common misconception that acne scars develop from picking at pimples and blackheads. In reality, the skin inflammation that occurs can damage the collagen in skin, and lead to acne scarring.
There are a few different types of acne scars that may form after a pimple or blemish has cleared. Shallow scars are the atrophic type, and then there are also deeper, narrow marks called ice-pick scars. Everyone is different, so there is no predicting how acne will affect the skin in the long run. We do know that individuals with darker skin tones tend to develop hyperpigmentation within scars, and those with lighter skin may notice redness, versus darkness, in scars.
