Scars form as part of the skin's natural healing process following injury, surgery or inflammatory skin conditions. The type of scar that develops depends on how the skin heals and how much collagen is produced in the process.

Atrophic scars are depressed or pitted, forming when the skin does not produce enough collagen during healing. They are the most common type and include the icepick, boxcar and rolling scars typically associated with acne. Hypertrophic scars are raised and red, caused by excess collagen production, but remain within the boundaries of the original wound. Keloid scars are also raised but grow beyond the wound site and can be harder to treat.

Treatment outcomes vary depending on the scar type, its age, location and your skin tone. No treatment completely eliminates a scar, but meaningful improvement in appearance is achievable for most types.