Acne scarring is caused by inflammation from severe or prolonged acne that damages the skin’s deeper layers. When the skin tries to repair itself, it can produce too much or too little collagen, leading to different types of scars. Depressed (atrophic) scars occur when there’s a loss of tissue, while raised (hypertrophic) scars form from excess collagen. Picking, squeezing, or improperly treating acne increases the risk of scarring. Factors like genetics, skin type, and the severity of acne also influence how prone someone is to developing scars.
