Active acne occurs when the pores or hair follicles of the skin become blocked and clogged with sebum and dead skin cells. Bacteria can them proliferate in this environment, resulting in inflammation and infection, which basically means red, sore and pus-filled spots.
It can be a distressing condition to live with, but it can also leave behind marks on your skin that make it hard to forget, even when the active acne is brought under control. Scars form if the lesions have caused damage to the tissues that requires repair.
Unfortunately, scar tissue differs in appearance from normal, healthy skin tissue. Acne scars are often red, and can remain so for months or even years. The colour is not a pigmentation change, but is simply a post-inflammatory consequence.
The scars can also be depressed is tissue loss has occurred. In this case, the tissue cannot be replaced, and the scars will result in an uneven skin texture. While the redness can be camouflaged with the help of make-up, it is more difficult to disguise any ‘pitted’ scars.
If the scars cause problems, it may be worth considering microdermabrasion and laser treatment in order to reduce the appearance of the scars.
