The causes of “real” scars following blackheads breakouts and skin inflammations stem from damage to the dermis and the deeper layers of the epidermis. During the tissue-rebuilding process, the body first replaces damaged tissue with fibrous connective tissue, and then it initiates healing by stimulating collagen production in that area. If the amount of collagen synthesized is too small and the rebuilding process is ultimately insufficient, then an atrophic scar will appear in the place of the healed acne.
Atrophic scars are the most common changes caused by acne, apart from discoloration. They are irregular or sunken areas in the skin tissue. Scars can be of different depths and sizes. They do not disappear with age, what’s more, they can become more pronounced as a result of aging processes and the gradual loss of collagen. Sometimes, after acne, we can also observe convex scars, taking the shape of small nodules. They are called hypertrophic scars. They are formed as a result of not controlled cell growth after inflammation.
Unlike discolorations, which spontaneously reduce their pigmentation over time and disappear, acne scars do not decrease with age. The depressions and bulges may even become more pronounced over time. This is due to a decrease in collagen production in the skin and a decrease in its elasticity.
