What patients notice
Common signs and descriptions
- Undulating texture
- Soft-edged depressions
- Worse in side lighting
- Temporary flattening when skin is stretched
Acne Scars
Rolling Acne Scars
Broad shallow depressions can create wave-like shadows when fibrous bands tether the skin.
In plain language
What this term means.
Rolling scars are broad depressions with sloping edges, often caused by tethering beneath the skin. Their appearance changes with light and skin movement.
Possible explanations
Different causes can look similar
- Fibrous tethering
- Collagen loss after inflammatory acne
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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