Types of scars and chronic blemishes


Atrophic scars: Acne scars associated with loss of tissue—similar to scars that result from chicken pox—are the most common types of acne scars. They are sometimes called atrophic scars.

Macules are flat, red or reddish spots that are the final stage of most inflamed acne lesions. After an inflamed acne lesion flattens, a macule may remain to "mark the spot" for a long period of time without treatment to remove them.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is discoloration of the skin at the site of a healed or healing inflamed acne lesion. It occurs more frequently in darker-skinned people, but can be seen in people with white skin. Early treatment may minimize the development of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may persist for long periods of time and can be permanent.



Ice-pick scars usually occur on the cheek. They are typically small, with a somewhat jagged edge and steep sides—like wounds from an ice pick. Ice-pick scars may be shallow or deep, and may be hard or soft to the touch.

Depressed fibrotic scars are usually quite large, with sharp edges and steep sides. The base of these scars is firm to the touch. Ice-pick scars may evolve into depressed fibrotic scars over time.

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

Follicular macular atrophy is more likely to occur on the chest or back of a person with acne. These are small, white, soft lesions, often barely raised above the surface of the skin. This condition is sometimes also called "perifollicular elastolysis." The lesions may persist for months to years.

Nodulocystic Acne that often results in scarring