Boxcar Scars vs Enlarged Pores

Round or oval depressed scars with relatively distinct edges. Visible follicular openings that appear larger because of oil, anatomy or reduced surrounding support.

Research updated 2026-10-23

Educational illustration of healed broad indented scars with defined edges on the left cheek, with the face turned to the person’s right on medium skin.

AI-generated representative illustration of Enlarged Pores. Not a clinical photograph.

Key differences What is it?What it looks like Diagrams When it starts Triggers Daily Care Treatment Outlook Complications When to get help Questions

Key differences

The same eight facts on every condition comparison.

Usual age

After inflamed acne

After puberty

Where

Cheeks and temples

Nose, forehead, cheeks

Main sign

Round dents with sharp edges

Visible pore openings

Itch or pain

Contagious

Long term

Permanent without treatment

Can look smaller, can't be closed

Scars

Is a scar

Who gets it

People who had inflamed acne

Oily skin, ageing

What is it?

Boxcar Scars

Enlarged Pores

What is it?

What it is
Round or oval depressed scars with relatively distinct edges.

What it is
Visible follicular openings that appear larger because of oil, anatomy or reduced surrounding support.

What it looks like

Boxcar Scars

A close-up of a cheek with multiple shallow round and angular pits with distinct edges.

Boxcar Scars Small depressions create a sharply textured surface across the cheek.

Enlarged Pores

A close-up of the nose and cheek with prominent round pore openings.

Enlarged Pores Closely spaced pores give the cheek a textured appearance.

Skin tones

Educational illustration of healed broad indented scars with defined edges on the left cheek, with the face turned to the person’s right on light skin.

Educational illustration of healed broad indented scars with defined edges on the left cheek, with the face turned to the person’s right on brown skin.

Educational illustration of healed broad indented scars with defined edges on the left cheek, with the face turned to the person’s right on deep skin.

In the skin

Inflammation destroys localized supporting tissue beneath the surface. Healing leaves a depression with more defined edges than a broad rolling scar.

Follicle size, sebum and the elasticity of surrounding skin affect how large pores look. Aging and sun-related changes can make the openings more noticeable.

When it usually starts

010203040506070+

Boxcar Scars. Develops after relevant injury, inflammation or tissue change; age depends on the cause.

Enlarged Pores. Often becomes more apparent after puberty.

Causes and triggers

Causes

Local tissue loss after inflammation leaves an edged depression.

Sebum, follicle size, ageing and sun-related loss of elasticity can contribute.

Risk factors

Prior skin inflammation or injury, Individual healing tendency

Oil production, Family tendency, Hormone-related changes

Trigger

● Boxcar Scars

● Enlarged Pores

No established short-term flare trigger

Not a typical trigger

Not listed

Pore-clogging products

Not listed

Can contribute

Daily Care

Boxcar Scars

Enlarged Pores

Daily care

Habits that help

Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher on healed exposed skin
Sun protection helps limit persistent color changes around scars.
Keep healed skin comfortable with gentle cleansing and moisturizer
These measures support the skin barrier but cannot reliably lift established depressions.
Control active acne or inflammation before elective scar procedures
Ongoing lesions can create new scars even while older ones are being treated.
Use photographs in consistent light to track change
Scars change slowly; compare over months rather than repeatedly inspecting each day.

Avoid

Avoid: Picking new spots, crusts or healing wounds
Repeated injury increases the chance of further marks and scarring.
Avoid: Home needling, deep peels or cutting scar tissue
These can worsen scarring or cause infection, especially before a wound has fully healed.

Habits that help

Cleanse gently up to twice daily and after sweating
Use a mild cleanser rather than washing until skin feels tight.
Use a light non-comedogenic moisturizer
Oily skin can still become dry or irritated from treatment.
Choose non-comedogenic broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher
Protect exposed skin without adding a product that clogs pores.
Blot excess oil gently if needed
Press with blotting paper rather than rubbing or repeatedly washing.

Avoid

Avoid: Repeated squeezing, pore vacuuming or harsh pore strips
Normal filaments refill; aggressive extraction can cause inflammation and marks.
Avoid: Alcohol-heavy toners and scrubs that sting
Drying the skin aggressively does not permanently close pores.

Treatment differences

Evidence labels come from each condition’s own treatment list.

Treatment

● Boxcar Scars

● Enlarged Pores

Prescription topicals

None listed

Retinoid assessment

Listed

May help acne-related pore appearance in suitable patients; avoid retinoids during pregnancy.

Procedures

Depth-specific scar treatment

Listed

Selected scars may benefit from resurfacing or punch techniques; depth and skin tone guide the choice.

None listed

Outlook

Long term

Boxcar scars generally persist, although their appearance can improve with appropriately selected procedures. Scar depth and edge shape influence treatment, and complete removal is unlikely.

Pores are normal openings and cannot be permanently closed. Their appearance can improve with management of oil, plugging or sun damage, but natural pore size remains part of skin anatomy.