Acne sufferers may spend years trying to control their spots and pimples, the day finally comes when they are spot free and they are left with a nasty reminder of their past skin complaints… scarring.

Acne scars occur when spots become inflamed or don’t heal properly. While some women are more prone to scarring because of hereditary factors or skin colour, there are precautions they can take to prevent scars and treatments available to significantly reduce their appearance. To find out more, read on…

There are two types of acne scars: pigmented scars, which leave behind a purplish-brown or red mark once the blemish goes away, and ice pick scars, which leave small holes or dents in the skin. An average whitehead isn’t likely to cause a scar because it normally doesn’t become inflamed but picking at spots increases the likelihood of scarring as it can introduce bacteria, causing an infection. So keep your hands away from your face.

Pigmented acne scars result from pigmented cells that develop in blemishes as they heal. Darker-skinned women are more prone to this type of scarring because their skin already has a significant amount of pigment in it.

The treatment options for pigment scars vary from over-the-counter products to more aggressive in-office treatments, depending on the severity of the scars. Over-the-counter bleaching creams that contain two percent hydroquinone, used in conjunction with glycolic acid-based lotions,work best at reducing the appearance of mild scars. It takes at least six weeks to see any noticeable improvement because acne scars lie deep under the skin.

If there is still no improvement after two months, visit your GP who can prescribe a stronger hydroquinone-based bleaching cream to be used in conjunction with a retinoid cream like Retin-A or Retinova. The retinoids have the added advantage that they will help prevent further acne breakouts and will exfoliate skin cells deep within the dermis, where the scars form.

More severe scarring usually responds well to a series of chemical peels over three to four months. The first peel will be of a more gentle strength, though this will increase over time. Ice pick scars, which leave crater-like impressions in the skin, are more common in lighter-skinned individuals. They usually result from more severe pustule-like acne, which can cause an indented scar if not treated quickly.

Ice pick scars are best treated with dermabrasion or lasers. Dermabrasion involves manually smoothing out the scar and surrounding skin with a diamond stone or small wire brush. This kind of treatment is commonly used on ice pick scars that don’t respond to topical retinoids. Results are usually seen after one treatment, but to maintain them you will need to use daily a broad-based sunscreen along with a retinoid cream. In more severe cases, a scar may have to be surgically removed before being smoothed out with dermabrasion.

As alternatives to dermabrasion, laser treatments are well-suited for treating ice pick scars. During this kind of treatment, the laser burns away the scar tissue, leaving the treated area red and tender for a few days. While it has also shown good results in the removal of pigment scars, laser treatment is not recommended for darker-skinned women because they have a strong chance of developing hyperpigmented, or dark-coloured spots. Instead, women with dark skin tones should stick to chemical peels and retinoids for the most effective results.