Why Acne Scars Look Worse in Sunlight

Why Acne Scars Look Worse in Sunlight Acne scars often stand out more after time in the sun because ultraviolet rays trigger changes in your skin that highlight and worsen them. These rays from sunlight penetrate the skin and affect both the color and texture of scars in ways that make them harder to ignore. […]
How Sun Exposure Darkens Acne Scars

How Sun Exposure Darkens Acne Scars Acne scars often look like flat dark spots on the skin, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH. These spots form when acne inflammation causes the skin to produce extra melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.[1][3][7] When you get a pimple, the body’s healing process ramps up melanin […]
Common Mistakes That Make Acne Scars Worse

Common Mistakes That Make Acne Scars Worse Acne scars happen when pimples heal poorly, leaving behind marks like dark spots, dents, or raised bumps. Certain everyday habits can slow healing or make these scars deeper and more noticeable. Here are some common ones to avoid. Picking or popping pimples tops the list. Squeezing pushes bacteria […]
Can Popping Pimples Cause Permanent Scars

Can Popping Pimples Cause Permanent Scars? Many people reach for a pimple with their fingers, hoping to make it disappear fast. That satisfying pop might clear the spot for a day or two, but it often leads to bigger skin problems down the road. The short answer is yes, popping pimples can cause permanent scars, […]
Why Picking Acne Leads to Scars

Why Picking Acne Leads to Scars Acne happens when pores get clogged with oil, dead skin, and bacteria, causing swelling and red bumps on your skin. These bumps, like pimples or cysts, create inflammation deep in the skin’s middle layer called the dermis. Your body tries to fix this by making collagen, a protein that […]
Are Cystic Acne Scars Different

Are Cystic Acne Scars Different? Cystic acne stands out from milder forms because it digs deep into the skin with large, painful cysts and nodules. These deep breakouts cause more intense inflammation than surface pimples or blackheads. That strong swelling destroys skin tissue and messes up collagen production during healing. As a result, cystic acne […]
Do Blackheads Leave Acne Scars

Do Blackheads Leave Acne Scars? Blackheads are unlikely to leave permanent acne scars. Blackheads form when dead skin cells and oil clog pores and oxidize, creating a dark appearance on the skin’s surface. They are non-inflammatory lesions, meaning they don’t cause the deep skin damage that leads to scarring. Acne scars develop differently than blackheads. […]
Can Whiteheads Cause Acne Scars

Can Whiteheads Cause Acne Scars? Whiteheads are small, white bumps that form when pores clog with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. They are a mild type of acne that can pop up on the face, neck, chest, back, or shoulders.[3] Unlike blackheads, which have open pores that turn dark from air exposure, whiteheads stay […]
Why Inflammatory Acne Causes Scarring

Inflammatory acne causes scarring because severe inflammation damages the skin’s deeper layers, destroying collagen and preventing proper healing. Acne starts when pores get clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria like Cutibacterium acnes. This clogging creates a perfect spot for bacteria to grow in a low-oxygen environment. The bacteria release irritating substances, such as […]
Hypertrophic Acne Scars vs Keloids

Hypertrophic acne scars and keloids both form as raised marks from severe acne, but they differ in size, growth, and how they behave on the skin. Hypertrophic scars stay within the original spot of the pimple or wound, while keloids grow bigger and spread into nearby skin. Both types happen when the body makes too […]