What Causes Acne Scar?

Often a breakout of acne may leave a series of ugly acne scar. Acne is already a problem on its own, but if it is not properly treated, it can leave an acne scar to remind the sufferer of the ordeal of having acne. Usually an acne scar results from the person attempting to get rid of the blemish manually. When the acne sufferer squeezes or pops a zit, a hole can be left in the skin that will not heal. Acne scars may also let in the opportunity for additional infections caused by bacteria to infect this open spot on the skin.

Acne forms when an excess of sebum results from overactive sebaceous glands, thus clogging the pores through which it flows. The root is meant to allow the sebum to make its way out to the skin's surface to lubricate the skin. However, if it mixes with dead skin cells and clogs the pore, it creates blackheads and pimples in most people and cysts under the skin in severe forms of acne. Manually or improper removing these blemishes can result the bacteria to spread and the possibility to leave an acne scar.

In some cases of mild acne, what seems to be an acne scar is not really a scar, rather it may be a red spot where the acne spot has healed. These small, red spots called macules, may appear to be a scar but fortunately unlike an acne scar, it will fade away entirely in about six months.

About Other 'Acne Scars'

In other types of scars, after an acne lesion has healed there may develop some discoloration in the skin's pigment. These can also be mistaken for an acne scar but will normally disappear in about 12 to 18 months, fading away as time passes and while they may appear as blemishes are not truly scars.

There are two kinds of real acne scar tissues present after a severe outbreak of acne. One becomes a small hole in the skin and the other a small bump in the skin. When the body detects any type of infection it takes the necessary steps to fight it, usually with a rush of white blood cells. Inflammatory molecules are also called for to help fight the infection and start repairing any damage done during the battle.

In an incident of acne outbreak, during the fight against the infection, these fighters can remain at the place of war for days and even weeks. At times the battles get out of control and outside help may be applied such as medications. However when the fight is won, the damage may be so great that the body's natural healing process is slowed and if completely thwarted, may leave an acne scar on the battlefield.