Acne scars

True scarring involves collagen loss or overgrowth, which is different from the flat red or brown marks that follow a spot. Those marks — post-inflammatory erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — fade over months without leaving texture behind, though they are often mistaken for scars.

Home care influences marks far more than scars. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen limits darkening, and ingredients such as retinoids, azelaic acid, niacinamide and vitamin C are used to support even tone and cell turnover. None of this rebuilds lost dermal tissue.

Established atrophic scars are addressed in clinic — microneedling, resurfacing lasers, chemical peels, subcision or fillers, chosen according to scar type — and results vary between individuals. The most effective step is preventive: treating active acne early and consistently, and not picking or squeezing. A dermatologist should assess scarring, and any raised or spreading scar.