What causes acne scars?

First things first, let’s best understand what causes acne scars before diving into how to help treat and remove them.

According to Chwalek, acne scars occur “when there is significant inflammation damaging deeper tissue and resulting in a depressed scar.”

This prolonged inflammation in acne cysts or nodules is most common, although all forms of acne, “including red papular acne (pimples), pustules, white heads and black heads,” per Turner, can also result in scarring. In short, inflammation in the skin causes damage to the collagen in the skin, leading to scarring. “The longer a person delays treatment, the more the risk of scarring,” Turner adds.

If your eczema comes with little cracks in the surface of your skin, what you’re dealing with is likely asteatotic eczema, a subtype of the chronic inflammatory condition that is characterized by fissures in the skin that resemble a cracked desert floor. It’s just one of the many kinds of eczema out there, but also one you should pay close attention to, says Ryan Turner, M.D., an assistant professor of dermatology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. “In severe cases [asteatotic eczema] becomes painful, and the cracks can let bacteria into the skin and lead to infection,” says Dr. Turner.

ummer comes with a lot of excitement, but as far as your skin care is concerned, the season can also come with its fair share of downfalls: an extra greasy complexion, breakouts, and sunburns, to name a few. One issue many people struggle with on their body is thigh chafing, or “skin irritation that occurs when the skin on the inner thighs rub against each other or against clothing,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Ryan Turner, M.D. This skin annoyance can occur during physical activities as sweat and moisture exacerbates said friction, but you don’t have to be an enthusiastic exerciser to experience it, as hot, humid weather conditions are primarily responsible for making thigh chafing a real-life problem.

“The hormonal imbalance can cause new hair to grow, or it can influence already existing thinner hairs to become darker and thicker on the face, chest, back and abdomen,” says Ryan Turner, MD, a dermatologist practicing in New York City. 

“The pillowcase you use may have some influence on the development of wrinkles on your face,” reveals Dr. Ryan Turner of Turner Dermatology in New York City, citing fabric as the number one thing to consider before resting your head for the night.

I’m not the only one giving these celebs the side-eye. The proliferation of star-led beauty brands in the past two years has stirred up an understandable backlash. So I asked board-certified dermatologists Kavita Mariwalla, MD, and Ryan Turner, MD. to help me try out eight celebrity lines and read the fine print on all the ingredients lists...our findings surprised us all.

Most Americans aren’t aware of the connection between skin health and air quality: Only 25% of survey respondents say they improved the air quality in their home to benefit their skin. According to NYC board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Ryan Turner, “introducing an air purifier can help reduce harmful airborne particles at home to support overall skin health.”

We spoke with Dr. Ryan Turner, board-certified dermatologist, about the importance of clean air as it relates to skin health and the impact of air purifiers in his practice. Dr. Turner practices cosmetic dermatology, general dermatology, surgical dermatology, and laser surgery in New York City and uses the latest scientific research to guide his approach to the management of numerous dermatologic concerns. 

If your itchy acne is causing you significant discomfort or at-home topicals don't do the trick, Dr. Turner recommends consulting a board-certified dermatologist to come up with a plan that addresses your specific situation.

This molecule—which is sometimes referred to as “HA”—is beneficial to the complexion because it “attracts and binds water molecules and increases the water content of the skin to support hydration,” says Dr. Ryan Turner, a board-certified dermatologist. “When used correctly, it supports your skin’s barrier and is helpful in warding off dry winter skin,” he adds.