An acne scar is permanent skin damage caused by acne or pimples that alters the skin’s texture. Some acne scars present as dark or red spots, while others may appear as indentations or raised areas due to damage deep within the skin layers. Healing of common acne scars, which cause temporary discoloration, may take 5-6 months, while severe acne scars may require professional skin treatments.

Acne scars typically result from inflamed acne, such as papules, pustules, cysts, or nodules, that affect the deeper layers of the skin. The body’s natural healing process involves the production of collagen fibers. When the skin overproduces collagen, raised acne scars form; conversely, pitted scars occur when insufficient collagen is produced. Infections, such as chickenpox, can also lead to deep pitted scars.

Acne scars form when the skin is damaged deep within the dermis layer. During the healing process, blood cells and collagen fibers rush to the injury site to repair the skin. Scarring occurs when the body either produces too little collagen or overproduces it in response to the injury. The size and depth of the scar depend on factors such as the depth of the acne or pimple, the area involved, gender, age, and genetics. While scars can develop on any part of the body, they most commonly appear on areas like the face, chest, shoulders, back, hands, and upper arms.