Before understanding the classification of acne scars and acne marks, let’s learn the composition of the skin first.
The skin is composed of epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis and dermis are connected by a basement membrane band, and there are abundant blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves, muscles, and various skin appendages.
The classification of acne marks
There are many kinds of acne marks, generally including black acne marks, red acne marks.
Black acne marks are caused by the pigmentation of the acne after inflammation, leaving the area where the red acne is longer than the red acne, and making the skin dull. These black colors will gradually disappear over time. This is a temporary false scar, not a real scar.
Red acne marks are because the cells in the original acne area are inflamed to cause the blood vessels to dilate. However, the blood vessels will not shrink immediately after the acne disappears, and a flat red temporary erythema is formed. It will become redder when the skin temperature rises or when you exercise. This erythema is not a scar, and will gradually recede within half a year.
The classification of acne scars
Acne scars refer to permanent scars that are concave or convex left on the skin surface after the inflammation invades the dermis after the acne is eliminated. Common acne scars include superficial acne scars, pitted acne scars, and hyperplastic acne scars.
Superficial acne scars are a kind of stable mature acne scars left over after acne healed. The appearance is affected by uneven skin surface or changes in pigmentation.
Pitting acne scars is a relatively common situation. When the acne inflammation is too strong and there is too much collagen in the dermis, it may leave pits due to the collapse of the dermis. Many acne patients like to squeeze the acne by hand. If the acne is not properly squeezed, it will greatly increase the chance of purulent infection. It is easy to turn small comedones and comedones into large acne, and they leave scars. Once the cavity is created, it will not disappear automatically.
Hyperplastic acne scars are usually determined by the innate physique and are the most difficult to treat, and they are also prone to relapse. This kind of scar is a kind of hypertrophic scar, which leaves obvious red protrusions in the place where the acne has grown. The appearance is red and swollen. The more serious is that it will grow up slowly because of scratching or external stimulation.
It mostly occurs in people with special constitutions. Because the fibroblasts in the dermal layer of their skin are too active, they overreact during the wound healing process. As a result, the dermis is not sunken but bulged after being injured by inflammation. , It becomes hypertrophic skin tissue hyperplasia.