Occurrence of Scars
The occurrence and incidence of scarring is still not well understood, however. There is considerable variation in scarring between one person and another, indicating that some people are more prone to scarring than others. Scarring frequently results from severe inflammatory nodule cystic acne that occurs deep in the skin. But, scarring also may arise from more superficial inflamed lesions.Nodule or sometimes called an acne "cyst": It is the most severe form of acne lesion. A nodule is a large, deep-seated, pus-filled, often painful lump. Acne with nodules often results in permanent scarring and requires treatment by a physician.
The life history of scars is also not well understood. Some people bear their acne scars for a lifetime with little change in the scars, but in other people the skin undergoes some degree of remodeling and acne scars diminish in size.
People also have differing feelings about acne scars. Scars of more or less the same size that may be psychologically distressing to one person may be accepted by another person as "not too bad." The person who is distressed by scars is more likely to seek treatment to moderate or remove the scars.
Prevention of Acne Scars
As discussed in the previous section on Causes of Acne Scars, the occurrence of scarring is different in different people. Who will scar, how extensive or deep scars will be, and how long scars will persist is quite unpredictable. It is also difficult to predict how successfully scars can be prevented by effective acne treatment.Nevertheless, the only sure method of preventing or limiting the extent of scars is to treat acne early in its course, and as long as necessary. The more the inflammation can be prevented or moderated, the more likely it is that scars can be prevented.
