What patients notice
Common signs and descriptions
- Round or oval depressions
- Defined edges
- Shadowing in side light
- Mixed shallow and deep scars
Acne Scars
Boxcar Acne Scars
Round or oval depressions with defined edges may be shallow or deep.
In plain language
What this term means.
Boxcar scars have broader bases and relatively sharp borders. Depth and edge character influence which procedures may be considered.
Possible explanations
Different causes can look similar
- Inflammatory acne with collagen loss
- Individual scar remodelling
Professional assessment
How a consultation may clarify the concern.
Active acne and scar types are assessed separately
Lighting from different angles helps identify depth, sharp edges, tethering and colour change
Treatment approach
Options follow the diagnosis
- Match each scar pattern to the most suitable technique
- Use staged combination plans when one method cannot address every scar
Avoid
What not to do
- Do not perform deep home needling, strong peels or scar extraction
- Avoid promises that scars can be completely erased
Care
Useful next steps
- Control new acne and use sun protection to reduce contrast from post-acne marks
- Allow adequate healing time between procedures
Frequently asked
Questions to take into consultation.
A photograph can document appearance but may not show texture, depth, scalp findings or warning signs. A diagnosis and personalised plan may require history and in-person examination.
Not usually. The appropriate pathway depends on the cause, severity, skin or hair characteristics, previous treatment, medical suitability and the result you hope to achieve.
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