Acne scars occur when spots become inflamed or don't heal properly. While some women are more prone to scarring because of hereditary factors or skin colour, there are precautions they can take to prevent scars and treatments available to significantly reduce their appearance.

There are two types of acne scars: pigmented scars, which leave behind a purplish-brown mark once the blemish goes away, and ice pick scars, which leave small holes in the skin. An average whitehead isn't likely to cause a scar because it normally doesn't become inflamed. Picking at spots increases the likelihood of scarring as it can introduce bacteria, causing an infection.

Pigmented acne scars result from pigmented cells that develop in blemishes as they heal. Darker-skinned women are more prone to this type of scarring because their skin already has a significant amount of pigment in it.

The treatment options for pigment scars vary from over-the-counter products to more aggressive in-office treatments, depending on the severity of the scars. Over-the-counter bleaching creams that contain two percent hydroquinone, used in conjunction with glycolic acid-based lotions, are ideal for reducing the appearance of mild scars. It will take at least six weeks to see any noticeable improvement because acne scars lie deep under the skin.

If there is still no improvement after two months, the doctor can prescribe a stronger hydroquinone-based bleaching cream to be used in conjunction with a retinoid cream like Retin-A or Retinova. The retinoids will help prevent further acne breakouts and will exfoliate skin cells deep within the dermis, where the scars form.

More severe scarring usually responds well to a series of chemical peels over three to four months. If a doctor advocates this type of treatment, the first peels will be 35 per cent glycolic acid peel and gradually work up to a 70 per cent peel. If it is treating severe breakouts in addition to the scars, he or she may choose a salicylic acid peel, which will help clear up acne while treating the scars. It will take three to four months on average to see results.

Ice pick scars, which leave crater-like impressions in the skin, are more common in lighter-skinned individuals. They usually result from more severe pustule-like acne, which can cause an indented scar if not treated quickly.

Ice pick scars are best treated with dermabrasion or lasers. Dermabrasion involves manually smoothing out the scar and surrounding skin with a diamond stone or small wire brush. This kind of treatment is commonly used on ice pick scars that don't respond to topical retinoids. Results are usually seen after one treatment, but to maintain them you will need to use daily a broad-based sunscreen along with a retinoid cream. In more severe cases, a scar may have to be surgically removed before being smoothed out with dermabrasion.

As alternatives to dermabrasion, laser treatments are well-suited for treating ice pick scars. During this kind of treatment, the laser burns away the scar tissue, leaving the treated area red and tender for a few days. While it has also shown good results in the removal of pigment scars, laser treatment is not recommended for darker-skinned women because they have a strong chance of developing hyperpigmented, or dark-coloured spots. Instead, women with dark skin tones should stick to chemical peels and retinoids for the most effective results.