Acne scars and keloids

Medical terms

Acne scarring, keloid

Common terms

Acne scars, keloid

Overview

There can be a number of conditions that result in scarring of the skin including acne.  A keloid is an excessive production of scar tissue that can result from acne scarring, a surgical scar or from ear or body piercing or any inflammatory lesion (such as chicken pox).  They are more common in darker skin types and certain areas of the body.  Keloids can also be itchy or painful.

Symptoms and signs

Scars left from acne may have one of the following shapes:
- a volcanic shape,
- ice pick shape, or deep pit,
- box scar, which is angular on the temple and cheeks similar to chickenpox scars
- rolling scars that give the skin a wave-like appearance, or
- thick keloid scars

Treatment

There are a number of treatment options for acne scars or a keloid scar which include injections into the scar, laser or intense pulsed light therapy, topical treatment in the form of creams or occasionally re-excising the scar.

Traumatic scars can often be improved by scar revision surgery. This is because a neat surgical scar will heal better than tissue that has been injured, torn or crushed. Skin rollers s (e.g. Dermaroller®) can be highly effective.