Inflammatory acne breakouts—including cystic acne—are more likely to leave ice pick scars. In the case of a deep pimple, the body may not make enough proteins, like collagen, to fill in the injury to the skin. This creates an indented scar.
Ice pick scars are usually caused by severe acne, such as cysts and papules that occur deep in your pores.
Mild acne causes less irritated whiteheads or blackheads with or without a few red bumps or pustules. Most of the time, the light red or brown marks left behind by healed acne clear up over time on their own. But severe acne, especially cystic acne, is likely to leave permanent scarring as it heals.
With time and persistence, most treatments can reduce the size and visibility of acne scars. Many scars fade and become barely noticeable. This is not the case with most ice pick scars. Due to the depression in the skin, treatments that help other acne scars fade or diminish over time are not as helpful.
If the body makes too much or too little collagen, it can cause scarring. Pitted scars, such as ice pick scars, can develop when the body does not produce enough collagen. If the body produces too much collagen, raised scars can form.
Chemical Peels
As its cells grow and mature, our skin goes through a natural process of exfoliation (shedding of older, dead cells). Chemical peels speed up this process, which helps new skin to grow. This can minimize the appearance of pitted scars, including ice pick scars.
Treatment options for Ice Pick scars include punch excision and this can be an option with a broad price range, as you might pay between $500 and $1000 per individual scar.
Differin gel is an over-the-counter (OTC) retinoid treatment that has been on the market for some time. The active ingredient is adapalene, which helps decrease swelling and inflammation, prevent breakouts, and treat scarring.
In some cases, a doctor or dermatologist may suggest a chemical peel or microdermabrasion to help improve the appearance of scarred areas. These milder treatments can be done right in the office. For serious scarring from previous bouts with acne, several types of treatment can help: Laser resurfacing.
In other cases, the broken blood vessels from a popped lesion leave a mark on your skin. These are what we usually call “dark marks” or hyperpigmentation. Even if you don't pop your acne, you may still see dark red or brown marks appear on your skin from especially deep or inflamed cases.
The following types of scar occur in acne: Ice-pick scars – these are deep, narrow, pitted scars. Rolling scars – broad depressions with a sloping edge. Boxcar scars – broad depressions with sharply defined edges. Atrophic scars – flat, thin scars or depressed scars (anetoderma)
When the damage caused by acne is severe, the body can respond by creating too much tissue or too little tissue. The production of too much tissue forms a keloid or a hypertrophic scar, and too little tissue leads to that depression in the skin or atrophic scar.
Deep pitted acne scars, also known as atrophic scars, are usually the result of severe acne. They generally appear due to the loss of tissue during cell regeneration that eventually leaves behind a skin that has a pitted appearance.
Some at-home microneedling devices can actually worsen acne scars because they creates too much skin damage. If you are considering microneedling, I always recommend speaking to a board-certified dermatologist in order of avoid harming your skin any further.
In general, the answer is yes – microneedling may be an effective treatment for ice pick scars. In fact, in a study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, microneedling was found to be more effective than pulsed laser therapy for the treatment of ice pick scars.
Niacinamide can stabilize the melanosome activity within the cells, which can improve residual hyperpigmentation from acne scars as well as those who suffer from melasma.
Differin (adapalene)
Benzac (benzoyl peroxide) is the most effective over-the-counter treatment for mild acne. Treats acne. Differin (adapalene) is commonly used for treating acne, but, it can cause skin irritation. Available over-the-counter from many brands.
Retinol is a well-known ingredient in pro-aging creams, gels, and serums. What many people don't know is that it can also be used to treat acne and acne-scarred skin. It works on both the surface and middle layers of the skin to unclog pores, smooth scars, and improve tone and texture.
The answer is yes. In general, a permanent treatment for removing scars is one that completely resurfaces the topmost layers of skin and sometimes deeper, depending on the severity of the scar. Removing a scar with a laser treatment operates under this principle to gradually lighten, tighten, and fade a scar over time.
“Possible solutions include dermal fillers, chemical peels, minor skin surgery and laser treatment for acne scars.” A dermatologist can perform these treatments in a medical office.
Microneedling with dermaroller is a new treatment modality for the treatment of scars, especially acne scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, and for facial rejuvenation. It is a simple and relatively cheap modality that also can be used for transdermal drug delivery.
Surface scars may be completely removed, and deeper acne scars may appear less noticeable. Potential severe side effects include scarring and changes in skin color. Chemical peel. Your doctor applies a chemical solution to the scar tissue to remove the top layer of skin and minimize the appearance of deeper scars.