What Is Acne?

Acne is a common inflammatory skin condition that develops when oil, dead skin cells and debris build up inside the hair follicles. This can block the pores and trigger inflammation, leading to blackheads, whiteheads, spots and deeper breakouts.

Acne can affect both teenagers and adults and is often influenced by hormones, genetics and oil production. Persistent acne can also affect confidence and may leave behind redness, pigmentation or acne scars.

What Causes Acne?

Acne is usually caused by a combination of factors rather than one single cause. Hormonal changes can increase oil production and make blocked pores and inflammation more likely.

This is why acne can become more noticeable during puberty, menstrual cycles, pregnancy and menopause. Hormonal conditions such as PCOS can also contribute to breakouts.

Genetics can make some people more prone to acne, while stress, poor sleep, certain skincare products and environmental factors may contribute to flare-ups.

Different Types of Acne

Acne can appear in different forms. Blackheads and whiteheads develop when pores become blocked, while inflammatory acne causes red, swollen spots and pustules.

Hormonal acne often affects the lower face, jawline and chin and is particularly common in adult women. Deeper nodules and cysts develop beneath the skin and can be painful, with a greater risk of permanent acne scarring.

Why Does Acne Cause Scarring?

Acne scars develop when inflammation damages the deeper layers of the skin. During the healing process, collagen production can become disrupted, leaving areas of depressed or uneven skin texture.

Severe or prolonged acne has a greater risk of causing acne scars. Picking or squeezing spots can also increase the likelihood of permanent scarring, which is why treating active acne early is important.

Types of Acne Scars

Acne scars can vary in their shape and depth. Ice pick scars are narrow and deep, while boxcar scars are wider depressions with more defined edges.

Rolling scars create a softer, uneven or wave-like appearance across the skin. Many people have a combination of acne scar types, particularly across the cheeks and temples.

Acne Marks, Redness and Pigmentation

Not every mark left after acne is a true scar.

Post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) can leave red, pink or purple marks after a breakout has healed. These are caused by changes to small blood vessels rather than permanent changes in skin texture.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) causes brown, grey or darker marks following inflammation. This is particularly common in medium and darker skin tones.

Both PIE and PIH can be mistaken for acne scars, but they are pigmentation concerns rather than textural scarring.

The Impact of Acne and Acne Scarring

Acne and acne scars can affect more than the skin. Persistent breakouts, redness, pigmentation and uneven texture can make people feel self-conscious about their appearance.

Professional advice can help identify the most appropriate approach for active acne, acne marks and existing acne scarring.

When Should You Seek Professional Advice?

If acne is persistent, painful or difficult to manage, or you are beginning to notice acne marks or scars, a professional skin assessment can help.

Early treatment can help manage active acne and may reduce the risk of long-term skin changes.

How Can Acne and Acne Scars Be Treated?

Treatment depends on the type and severity of acne, as well as the changes left behind.

At Nassif MedSpa, treatment options may include medical-grade skincare, Hydrafacial, BBL Forever Clear, Skin Pen Microneedling, HALO Laser Resurfacing and ProFractional Laser.

Treatments can be selected to target active acne, redness, pigmentation, acne scars and uneven skin texture, helping the skin look clearer, smoother and more even.