# Why Acne Leaves Indentations on Your Skin
When you have acne, your skin goes through an inflammatory process that can cause lasting damage. A pimple forms when pores become clogged with oil and bacteria, triggering your body’s immune response. This inflammation is your body’s way of fighting the infection, but it comes at a cost to your skin’s structure.
The key to understanding acne indentations lies in collagen. Collagen is a protein that gives your skin its strength and structure. When acne inflammation damages the deeper layers of your skin, particularly the dermis, it can destroy collagen and elastin fibers. Your body then attempts to repair this damage by producing new collagen during the healing process.
Here’s where things go wrong for many people. Sometimes your body doesn’t produce enough collagen to fully restore the damaged area. When there’s insufficient collagen, the skin cannot properly fill in the space where tissue was lost. This leaves behind a depression or indentation in the skin surface. These indented scars are called atrophic scars, and they’re the most common type of acne scarring that people experience.
The severity of the indentation depends on several factors. If you had severe acne with deep cystic lesions, large pimples, or widespread inflammation, you’re more likely to develop noticeable indentations. The depth and duration of the inflammation matter significantly. Deeper inflammation causes more extensive collagen damage, making it harder for your body to repair the area completely.
Your genetics also play a role in how your skin heals. Some people’s bodies naturally produce less collagen during the healing process, making them more prone to indented scars. Your skin type matters too. Different skin types respond differently to inflammation and healing.
One behavior that increases your risk of indentations is picking or squeezing acne. When you manipulate a pimple, you deepen the inflammation and cause more damage to the surrounding tissue. This makes it even harder for your body to heal properly and increases the likelihood of permanent indentations.
The location of acne on your face can also influence scarring. Areas like the cheeks and jawline are particularly prone to developing indented scars because these regions experience more severe inflammatory acne and have higher sebaceous gland activity.
As you age, existing indentations can become more noticeable. Your skin naturally loses collagen and elastin over time, which causes the surrounding tissue to lose firmness. This makes any existing indentations appear deeper and more visible than they were when you were younger.
Understanding why acne leaves indentations helps explain why prevention is so important. Treating acne early and avoiding picking at blemishes can reduce your risk of developing these permanent marks. If you already have indented acne scars, various treatments exist that work by stimulating new collagen production or filling in the depressions to restore a smoother skin surface.
Sources
https://www.london-dermatology-centre.co.uk/blog/acne-scars-vs-enlarged-pores/
https://www.kins-clinic.com/blogs/tired-of-large-pores-5-proven-ways-to-reduce-nose-pores-fast
https://drhaach.com/treatments/acne-scars/
https://vitalskinderm.com/blog/laser-acne-and-scar-removal-guide/
https://www.youraestheticcarecenter.com/conditions/acne-acne-scarring/
https://rejuvadermatology.com/conditions/acne-scars-in-venice-fl/
https://www.studiomedspa.com/dermal-fillers-for-acne-scars-what-you-need-to-know
