Scar is an exaggerated response by the skin to an inflammation. It can develop as the result of acne or other types of inflammations or trauma, such as infections, chickenpox or surgery. Rarely, but more commonly in darker skin types, scars can develop spontaneously. Early intervention may affect the way a scar remodels itself and may minimize its appearance.

Because there are different types of scars, the management of scar depends on the type of scar. Simply put, there are hypertrophic (raised) scars or atrophic (depressed) scars. Atrophic scars are the most common and ranges from having the appearance of an ice pick to a wide saucer.

Ice pick scars are deep-pitted scars that make the skin look like it had been jabbed with an ice-pick. These scars are normally managed with punch excision, skin grafting, subcision or non ablative laser rejuvenation.

Fibrotic scars are also common after acne and chicken pox. These scars are normally "held" down by a band of fibrous tissue. A subcision procedure must be done first to release the fibrous tissue before the scars can be treated.

Another type of scar is called the “rolled” or “boxcar” scar, which is a saucer-like, type scar. This is very common following acne. The milder form of acne, called non-inflammatory acne or comedogenic acne, normally recovers without any complications or may cause post acne pigmentation (discoloration). Unfortunately, some people suffer from the more severe form of acne, called inflammatory acne or cystic acne. These pus-filled pimples and cysts can cause deep pitting and scarring. These types of scars are managed with dermal filers and /or non ablative laser rejuvenation.

Some people have groups of very small acne scars that might coalesce together. These scars are normally managed with punch excision, skin grafting, subcision and / or non ablative laser rejuvenation

Hypertrophic scars or keloid are raised, thick with a cord like sensation. They normally appear darker than the surrounding tissue. They are more common after surgical incision and trauma.