It is essential that before you set you to treat your scar you identify exactly what type of scar it is. Each type of scar is formed slightly differently and it is crucial to understand how to treat each type optimally. A treatment used to improve the appearance of an atrophic scar, for instance, could worsen a keloid scar.
For this reason, we have put together a complete guide of all the different types of scars with pictures to help you with the identification process. Please note that note all scars are easily categorized – some may have elements of two or more scar types. This is completely normal.
Hypertrophic scars
Hypertrophic scars are raised, red scars. The major difference between hypertrophic scars and keloid scars is that they do not outgrow the borders of the original site of the injury. Hypertrophic scars form when excess amounts of collagen are produced at the site of the skin lesion. These scars can be elevated and thick. They tend to improve over time but the healing process can take more than a year.
Keloid scars
Keloid scars are thick, irregular scars and protrude beyond the original borders of the initial injury. They are formed when the body essentially over heals itself. This aggressive healing proccess results results in a thick scar that appears darker than the skin that surrounds it because of the overgrowth of scar tissue and collagen. Keloids can develop up to one year after the original trauma to the skin. These scars can be painful or itchy.
Hyperpigmentation scars
Hyperpigmentation is discolouration or dark spots that can be caused by, for example, acne. This type of scarring is sometimes referred to as ‘post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation’. Hyperpigmentation usually fades with time.
Hypopigmentation scars
Hypopigmentation scars is pretty much the opposite of hyper pigmentation scarring. Whereas hyperpigmentation means darker coloured spots on the skin, hypopigmentation is when scars are formed on the skin by a lack of pigment. This results in white spots and patches on the skin.
Ice Pick Scars
Ice pick scars are formed when the body fails to produce enough collagen in response to trauma to the skin. They are very deep acne scars that go beyond the upper-most layer of the skin. Ice pick scars are atrophic and happen when acne infections reach the surface of the skin and destroy some of the skin tissue along the way.
Boxcar Scars
Boxcar scars are also depressed, atrophic scar but they are wider than ice pick scars. Once again, boxcar scars are formed when the body produces too little collagen when a wound is healing. The lack of collagen creates the pitted appearance of this type of scarring.
Rolling scars
Rolling scars are also a form of atrophic scarring. However, the distinction is that rolling scars have smooth, sloping edges and broad depressions and this gives them a rolling or undulating appearance. Rolling scars are caused by damage under the surface of the skin.
Stretch marks
Stretch marks occur when the skin tears because of 
tension. In the early stages stretch marks can look red and inflamed but with time they fade and lighten to a silverish colour.
Cure for Scars 