Although acne affects around 90 percent of adolescents and about 50 percent of all adult women, acne also affect males of all ages and nationalities. Add to this the acne scars that form as a result of some acne flare ups and it is not hard to understand why its effects are so long lasting. This article will cover some serious skin care information to highlight some options to pick from for acne scar skin care treatments and products.

Normally the most common acne types are whiteheads, blackheads and pimples With moderate acne, more pimples and pustules are present on the face, but some may appear on the back or chest. And with severe acne, many nodules develop, often large and sore, over parts of the face, back, chest and other body areas. This type of acne can lead to acne scarring. Actually, lesser cases of acne have also been followed by scarring. So for those with possible nodular acne, seeking advice from a healthcare provider as soon as possible about the best acne scar skin care is recommended.

Different types of acne scars result from the various skin acne types. The good news is these scars can be treated, and with the right daily acne regimen, in many cases prevented. It is important to understand, not only the type of acne you have and how to treat it, but also your skin type. Treatment and acne scarring can both vary according to skin type, and you must know this information before you can begin treating the problem.

The occurrence of scarring can vary for each individual. It is often difficult to predict who will and won't scar, how extensive or deep the scars will be, and how long the scars will persist. Likewise, it is also difficult to predict how successfully scars can be treated and prevented.

*You have many options for serious acne scar skin care*

The only sure way to treat and prevent acne scarring is to treat acne as early as possible in its development, and to do so for as long as it takes with acne scare skin care products to clear up the problem. The more inflammation can be eliminated, the more likely it is that scars can be prevented. This is especially true when preventing acne aggravation. The more you irritate an inflamed an area, the more likely it is to scar.

Should your skin start to show scarring from your acne, whether mild, moderate, or severe, you should seek the care of a dermatologist who can suggest treatments to help eliminate and prevent further acne scarring. A healthy acne scar skin care regimen should include no harsh scrubbing or over-washing, because this can cause possible skin irritation or possible over production of oil to replace what's washed off, clogging pores in the process.

Select products that have ony gentle exfoliation ingredients; i.e. not scratchy nut or fruit shell pieces that can tear skin. And skip alcohol products when possible; these can take off the top layer of your skin and cause your glands to product more oil, clogging pores in the process.

{If you do spot acne-troubled areas, do NOT mess with them.

| Existing acne blemishes should NOT tampered with. | No matter how tempting it is, do NOT attack any spots that break out. | If you have a flare up of acne, you must not tamper with the spots.} Remember that these are already weeks in the making, and squeezing or picking blemishes can force the infected area to regress back inside, further troubling the region and possibly leave an acne scar. If necessary, seek help from a dermatologist for alternative treatments.

*Types of Acne Scars*

Perhaps one of the frustrating and worrying effects of acne is the physical scarring it can leave behind. There are things you can do to try to avoid these scars, like properly cleansing your skin, or refraining from popping zits, as this can cause scarring, but this doesn't mean scars won't develop.

This can be especially seen in the severe types of acne where the lesions are on the skin for longer periods of time than in milder forms. In cystic acne, the nodules or cysts can stay on the skin for weeks, or even months, and can leave behind very noticeable scars.

Below are details and descriptions of some of the most common acne scars. They are: scars caused by tissue formation, and scars caused by loss of tissue.

- Scars caused by increased tissue formation are called kelloids or hypertrophic scars.

The term hypertrophy means ?enlargement?, or ?overgrowth?. These scars are associated with excessive amounts of collagen in the skin, overproductions of which, is due to the skin cells? response to injury. This excess collagen builds up to form a smooth, irregularly shaped scar. This type of scar can persist for years, but may diminish over time.

- Ice pick scars are characterized by the appearance of deep pits on the skin and are most common in a sign of classic acne scarring.

- Boxcar scars are angular scars, usually occurring on the temple and cheeks, and can be superficial or deep. They are also very similar to the scars left by Chickenpox.

- Rolling scars give the skin a wave-like appearance.

To get rid of acne scars, seek treatment through a physician. Understanding your skin type, type of acne, and type of scarring associated with it is vital. If you treat your particular type of acne from the first signs, to prevent additional breakouts and problems, you can prevent the formation of deep, lasting scars.

*Laser Treatments Can Also Help Treat Acne Scars*

One of the most used treatment alternatives for treating acne scars is the use of lasers such as Erbium. Acne should be treated as early on in the course of the condition as possible, so as to prevent further scarring. This can also reduce the severity of the scarring.

One of the newest ways to treat active acne is with micro dermabrasion using aluminium hydroxide crystals. These crystals abrate the skin, removing the top layers. This serves to remove excess debris associated with acne. This form of treatment is also used to clear acne on the back and chest. This can be helpful since back and chest acne is often more difficult to treat than facial acne.

The downfall of micro dermabrasion treatment is that it is operator dependent. Over peeling the skin can lead to such side effects as hypopigmentation or scarring. Be aware that if not done properly, the treatment you are using to clear up acne scarring could actually cause additional scarring, so it is recommended it be done by a physician or qualified therapist. Erbiuim laser treatment as a means of treating acne and the scars associated with it is painless, bloodless, gentle, and very effective. The actual therapy is simple, fast, and accurate, and more severe acne scarring can be treated during several sittings if preferred.

Even though the side effects of such lasting treatments are few, and may not occur, they are still possible. Discuss this treatment and its possible side effects with your doctor before deciding whether or not it will be the best treatment for you.