I accidentally squeezed an inflamed pimple. Will this leave acne scars?

Why can inflamed acne lead to acne scars?

• Large, inflamed acne lesions (such as cystic acne or deep pustules) often damage the deeper layers of skin tissue. When the acne heals, the body regenerates new tissue, but sometimes this repair is incomplete, resulting in scarring or pitted scars.
• Improperly squeezing pimples, such as using your nails or squeezing too hard, can further damage skin tissue and increase the chance of acne scarring.

In case you accidentally squeezed a pimple.

• If a pimple is large and you squeeze it yourself, the chances of developing acne scars increase because squeezing can damage the surrounding tissue and trigger more inflammation.
• Furthermore, squeezing pimples yourself carries the risk of infection and can cause the acne to spread.

Recommendation

1. Don't squeeze your pimples yourself.
   If you have severe acne, you should consult a dermatologist or cosmetic specialist for proper treatment, such as acne injections, sterile extraction, or topical acne medication.
2. Skin care after acne has cleared.
   If acne has cleared but pitted scars or acne pits start to appear, you should consult a doctor immediately for treatment such as laser treatment, subcision (cutting the fibrous tissue under the acne pits), or fillers to fill in the acne pits.
3. Prevent the formation of new acne.
   Use products suitable for your skin type, such as a gentle cleanser, a non-comedogenic moisturizer, and an appropriate sunscreen, to prevent acne from recurring.

Do all pimples turn into acne scars?

Not every pimple leaves a dark or red mark. However, the likelihood of developing acne scars depends on several factors, such as the type of acne, skincare routine, and our own acne management habits.

Why do some pimples leave scars?

1. Inflamed acne or acne that has been squeezed.
   • Severe inflammatory acne, such as pustules or cystic acne, often causes inflammation in the deeper layers of the skin. After the acne heals, it may leave behind dark marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) or red marks (post-inflammatory erythema).
   • Improperly squeezing or pressing pimples will further stimulate inflammation and increase the chance of acne scarring.
2. Each person's skin response.
   • Some people have skin that is sensitive to inflammation or irritation, making it prone to dark spots or redness, even from small pimples.
   • In some cases, skin with darker pigmentation (such as Asian skin) is more prone to post-acne scarring than fair-skinned individuals.
3. Skin care after acne has cleared.
   • If you don't protect your skin from the sun, acne scars may darken because UV rays stimulate the production of melanin.
   • Not using products that help reduce acne scars, such as spot treatments or whitening creams, may slow down the healing process of acne scars.