Acne Scars Classification

Facial scarring is usually caused by scars that were left behind by an acne inflamation. There are two main classes of acne scars, defined by tissue reaction to inflammation:

(1) Scars caused by exaggerated tissue formation, and

(2) Scars caused by loss of tissue.

Scars Caused by Exaggerated Tissue Formation.

The creation of scars caused by exaggerated tissue formation is called keloids. Keloid scars are linked to excessive levels of the cell substance, collagen. The overproduction of collagen is the body's reaction to damaged skin cells. This excess becomes piled up in fibrous masses, resulting in a distinctive firm, smooth, irregularly-shaped scars.

Keloid scars are 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter, but some can reach 1 centimeter or larger. This abnormal growth of scar tissue is more likely to occur in susceptible people that is, people who are often related to others with similar types of scarring.

Keloid scars persist for years, but may diminish in size over time.

Scars Caused by Loss of Tissue

Acne scars linked with loss of tissue, like scars that result from chicken pox, are more typical than keloids. Scars linked with loss of tissue are:

Ice-pick Scars or Pitted Scars

Commonly appear on the cheek. They are typically small, with visible jagged edges and steep side-like wounds that seem to resemble an "ice-picked" shape. When touched, ice-pick scars may be soft or hard; they can affect the skin superficially, or reach the deeper layers. Soft scars can be improved by stretching the skin; hard ice-pick scars cannot be stretched out.

Depressed fibrotic scars

Are commonly big in size, with sharp edges and steep sides. The base of these scars is firm to the touch. Ice-pick scars may change into depressed fibrotic scars over time.

Soft scars

Superficial or deep and soft to the touch. They have gently sloping rolled edges that merge with normal skin. They are usually small, and either circular or linear in shape.

Atrophic macules

Are commonly fairly small when they appear on the face, but may be a centimeter or larger on the body. They are soft, usually with a slightly wrinkled base, and may be bluish in appearance due to the blood vessels lying just under the scar. Over time, these scars fade from bluish to ivory white in color in white-skinned people, and become much less obvious.

Follicular macular atrophy

They are more likely to appear on the chest or back of a person with acne. These are small, white, soft lesions, often slightly raised above the surface of the skin somewhat like whiteheads that didn't fully develop. This condition is usually called "perifollicular elastolysis." The lesions may persist for months to years.

Organic Ingredient Revolutionizes Acne Scar Treatment

You can hope that your tissue imbalance can be treated with common chemical-based acne treatments that promise ridding your skin of acne breakouts, but that are incapable of treating the scars that are left behind after and acne inflammation has subsided. By using these products you will likely end-up with a coarser texture that can present side-effects such as sun sensitivity, irritation or simply show no change at all. Your safest bet is to apply natural ingredients that bring collagen production back-up to normal and help 'disintegrate' and regenerate skin that has been scarred.

The majority of all regenerative ingredients contain natural oils, but only one ingredient is capable of supplying a balanced mix of ingredients that trigger skin repair. That miraculous component comes from a snail and is becoming the newest revolution in skin and scar treatment. Studies have shown that snail secretion contains a combination of naturally occurring vitamins, glycolic acid, elastane, allantoine and collagen, however, you have to keep in mind that complete scar renewal depends on the treatment itself and the extension of the scar.

So next time you look at your skin and wonder why all the acne creams you've tried haven't changed a thing, try using an natural ingredient that treats and regenerates scarred skin.