Acne scars develop as a consequence of inflammation within acne blemishes. When acne pores become inflamed, the pore enlarges, and the wall may break down. In some instances, acne blemishes are minor, resulting in shallow scars that heal relatively quickly. 

Despite the skin’s innate ability to self-heal, acne scars can persist, varying in severity based on the extent of the acne. Skin tissue may either be lost or newly formed following an acne lesion. Loss of tissue often results in milder scars, while the formation of new tissue can lead to more pronounced scarring. Thus, the severity of acne, along with the depth and extent of tissue damage, ultimately determine the type and intensity of resulting scars.