Since these acne lesions are closer to the upper layer of the skin than deep acne lesions like cysts, pustules and blackheads generally do no leave indented acne scars.

If an acne patient prematurely "pops" or opens and acne lesion, this could result in acne scarring. Types of acne scars In November of 1999, the British Journal of Dermatology published a study on the effectiveness of laser resurfacing to treat acne scars. During the investigation, the designers defined two types of acne scars, atrophic ("ice-pick") scars and raised acne scars. Additionally, acne patients may experience a third type of acne scar-- flat, pigmented marks. Atrophic ("Ice-pick") Acne Scars Atrophic acne scars appear as round indented marks in the skin. Their size can range from 0.254mm to 2.540mm in diameter. The dept of an atrophic acne scar can vary between 0.254mm to 0.762mm. According to review of acne scar pathology Greg J. Goodman published in the 2001 edition of the Australian Journal of Dermatology, the skin indentations associated with atrophic acne scars typically results from the contraction of the skin's surface layers. The depth and width of an atrophic acne scar is influenced by the loss of collagen, and sometimes fat loss, that results from the healed acne lesion. Raised Acne Scars Raised acne scars or keloid scars are less common than "ice-pick" type acne scarring. Pigment Acne Scars A number of acne lesions can form, or move, to the surface of the skin. Such lesions include blackheads and pustules (pus-filled acne lesion on the surface of the skin). Due the unwanted presence of such blemishes on the face, acne patients are tempted to burst or squeeze such skin imperfections prematurely. 

This is because their anti-inflammatory X OUT Acne healing process involves less collagen repair and little if any fat loss. Nevertheless, because acne lesions like pustules and blackheads are on the surface of the skin, their repair can involve the build-up of skin scales to repair the opened wound. The build-up of skin cells concentrates the brown skin pigment melanin, which creates the circular, darker toned scars where the acne lesion once resided. Given that the skin is designed to repair itself, not all acne lesions are doomed to result in acne scarring. Allowing your body time to remove pore inflammation and expel cellular waste emitted by acne lesions create an optimal environment for a scar-less healing of your acne marks. So, the next time you have an acne lesion, before you do anything crazy like pop it or squeeze it, ask yourself, "If I do this now, am I going to give myself an acne scar?" Think about it. There are many varieties of acne and many different treatment plans. Technically called acne vulgaris, this skin disease affects millions of Americans annually. Nearly 85% of people develop acne at some time between the ages of 12-25 years. Almost everyone suffers from outbreaks of pimples at some point in life, making acne one of the most common skin disorders. Understanding the facts about acne may be the first step towards finding a successful acne treatment and controlling your acne. Many teenagers outgrow their acne, but it is common for some women to need treatment into their late thirties. What Causes Acne? No one knows for sure exactly what causes acne, or why it usually begins in adolescence. Since the medical knowledge about acne is still relatively small, many misconceptions and rumors about what causes acne exists. No one factor causes acne. Acne lesions develop in the oil-producing structures of the skin called sebaceous follicles. 

Oil secretions build up beneath the blocked pore, providing a perfect environment for the skin bacteria Propionibacterium acnes to multiply uncontrolled. For unknown reasons skin cells of acne patients stick together in the pore (this may be made worse by grease, pomades, makeup, etc.). Deeper still acne causes cysts which are the worst form of acne and carry the possibility of permanent scarring. Genetics also play a role in the development of acne and thus there is a tendency for the skin disease to run in families. There are other skin disorders that may resemble acne, but are unrelated. Acne and Bacteria Pimples are often caused by Propionebacterium acnes, a common bacterium on the skin that feeds on sebum. The bacteria cause the surrounding tissues to become inflamed and acne is formed. The acne bacteria feeds off this mixture which leads to inflamed conditions. Acne-causing bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they cannot survive in an oxygenated environment. Bacteria called Corynebacterium acnes, which cause skin fats to break down into irritating chemicals, can also directly contribute to an outbreak. Acne in Teenagers Due to the hormonal changes they experience, teenagers are more likely to develop acne. Most teens who develop acne have the milder form, called non- inflammatory acne. Hormonal disorders can complicate acne in girls. If are a teenager and you have acne, you have a lot of company. About 80 percent of all teenagers develop acne, but the disease may also start as late as age 25 or 30, particularly in women. Acne in Adults Just when you thought your "bad skin" days were over, adult acne strikes. Just when you've successfully navigated the ravages of adolescence on your skin, you wake up and find acne. 

There are various causes of adult acne. The new trend in medical circles is to discuss acne as a hormonal imbalance. Hormonal changes related to pregnancy or menstrual periods can cause or contribute to acne. Also, hormonal changes related to starting or stopping birth control pills can also cause acne. Excess emotional strain on the body can contribute to hormonal changes that have been known to cause acne as well. Adult acne is different from teenage acne and therefore your treatment approach should be different. Severe Acne Boys have more severe acne and develop it more often than girls. Severe acne can cause scars which will never disappear. All but the most severe grades of acne are controllable although not curable. The most severe type of acne consists of cysts (closed sacs) and nodules (hard swellings). Vigorous treatment of more severe types of acne can help prevent facial scarring. Treatment of Acne There is a myriad of products sold for the treatment of acne, many of them without any scientifically proven effects. The primary products used to treat acne are a pharmaceutical grade glycolic acid solution and a topical antibiotic. By applying a chemical solution to the skin, known as a chemical peel, mild scarring and certain types of acne may be treated. Non-prescription medications are available over the counter to treat mild forms of acne. Topical antibiotics are commonly used in the treatment of acne and are often prescribed along with a retinoid or benzoyl peroxide. Topical retinoids are used in the treatment of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. The cost and duration of acne treatment with topical applications and oral antibiotics make standard therapy far from ideal. This is why researchers have been studying the effects of specific peak wavelengths of light in the treatment of acne, with very successful results. Acne Medications Benzoyl peroxide inhibits the bacteria that cause acne. As with other acne medications, overexposure to extreme wind or cold or use of irritating skin care products may aggravate the skin. 

Most acne medications only mask the symptoms of acne and do nothing to stop the real cause of acne. There are even herbal based acne medications, such as tea tree oil. There's a confusing array of product claims and treatment methods for acne that make it difficult for acne sufferers to determine their best course of action. The fact that there are several forms of acne, including cystic acne and the common acne vulgaris, complicates the picture. While the medical community does not have a cure for severe acne, there are a variety of products that will subdue moderate cases of acne and provide the sufferer with clear skin once again. Among these effective products are natural acne treatments that provide viable alternatives to the use of antibiotic medicines and ointments. Natural remedies are derived from plants that have been used for generations because of their medicinal properties. The prestigious National Institutes of Health recently formed the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Health to evaluate the efficacy of herbal remedies by funding controlled scientific studies. Herbal remedies can be effective natural acne treatments. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for acne because there is a known bacterial component to cases of acne but certain herbs like Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolio) have known antibacterial properties as well. A soap made from Echinacea and other herbal ingredients is a viable antibiotic facial cleanser that helps fight and clear acne. 

This type of soap is also used for eczema, psoriasis, and acne rosacea. Scientific studies show that Echinacea helps the body provide the proper enzymes at the cellular level to protect cells against invasion by bacteria. Echinacea's ability to aid in wound healing is beneficial not only for acne but also for insect bites and burns. Echinacea is the hardy purple coneflower that is a staple of roadside plantings and home gardens. A more exotic and expensive herbal acne treatment is tea tree oil. There are over 300 species of tea tree but only one species (Melaleuca Alteronifolia) found in New South Wales, Australia is known to have antibacterial properties. What is Tea Tree Oil? Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the tree and is four to five times stronger than household disinfectants in killing bacteria. At the same time, tea tree oil is gentle to the skin. Tea tree oil is effective in killing the bacteria even in pus and will cause the body to eliminate pus from inside a pimple. Tea tree oil also acts as a mild local anesthetic which reduces discomfort and also helps to eliminate the red irritation from the skin, improving appearance and reducing acne social problems. Tea tree oil is readily available from herbal suppliers and is simply applied to the affected area with a Q-tip. Tea tree oil is used sparingly. Witch hazel is not just a brand name but an actual herb (Hamamelis virginiana) that is still recommended as a topical astringent and natural acne remedy. When using these topical acne treatments it is important to be gentle.