Compare · Conditions

Ice Pick Scars vs Rolling Scars

Narrow deep atrophic scars, commonly left by acne. Broad depressed scars producing an undulating skin surface.

Research updated 2026-10-23
Existing representative image of Ice Pick Scars.AI-generated educational illustration of Rolling Scars: 1. Rolling Scars — Card Image. Not a clinical photograph.
Key differencesWhat is it?What it looks likeDiagramsWhen it startsTriggersDaily CareTreatmentOutlookComplicationsWhen to get helpQuestions

Key differences

The same eight facts on every condition comparison.

Usual age
After inflamed acne
After teen acne
Where
Cheeks
Cheeks
Main sign
Narrow, deep pits
Broad wavy dips
Itch or pain
No
Neither
Contagious
No
No
Long term
Permanent without treatment
Permanent without treatment
Scars
Is a scar
Yes
Who gets it
People who had inflamed acne
People who had inflamed acne

What is it?

Ice Pick Scars
Rolling Scars
What is it?
  • What it is
    Narrow deep atrophic scars, commonly left by acne.
  • What it is
    Broad depressed scars producing an undulating skin surface.

What it looks like

Ice Pick Scars

A close-up of a cheek with many narrow pinpoint and small angular pits.

Ice Pick Scars Small, deep-looking depressions punctuate the skin surface.

Rolling Scars

A cheek with broad shallow scars and an undulating texture.

Rolling Scars Soft-edged indentations create a gently rippled skin surface.

Skin tones
Ice Pick Scars on light skin.
Ice Pick Scars on medium skin.
Ice Pick Scars on brown skin.
Ice Pick Scars on deep skin.
Rolling Scars.
Rolling Scars on medium skin.
Rolling Scars.
Rolling Scars.
In the skin

Deep localized inflammation damages supporting skin tissue. Healing leaves a narrow, deep tract-like depression in the surface.

Fibrous attachments form between the skin and deeper tissue during healing. These tethers pull parts of the surface downward, producing broad, uneven depressions.

When it usually starts

010203040506070+

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

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

Causes and triggers

Causes

Deep local tissue injury leaves a narrow tract-like depression.

Fibrous attachments can tether the skin to deeper tissue.

Risk factors
Prior skin inflammation or injury, Individual healing tendency
Prior skin inflammation or injury, Individual healing tendency
Trigger
● Ice Pick Scars
● Rolling Scars
No established short-term flare trigger
Not a typical trigger
Not a typical trigger

Daily Care

Ice Pick Scars
Rolling Scars
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

  • 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.

Treatment differences

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

Treatment
● Ice Pick Scars
● Rolling Scars
TCA CROSS or punch assessment
Assessment
Listed
Not listed
Subcision assessment
Assessment
Not listed
Listed

Outlook

Long term

Narrow deep scars usually persist without scar-directed treatment. Selected focal procedures can improve them, but several sessions may be needed and complete clearance is unlikely.

Rolling scars usually persist because tissue beneath the skin tethers the surface. Selected procedures may improve contour, but a combination of approaches and realistic expectations is often needed.

Complications

Possible complications

Scars can affect confidence; symptoms and treatment options depend on scar type.

Scars can affect confidence; symptoms and treatment options depend on scar type.

When to get help

When to get help

Have a new growing, bleeding or ulcerated scar-like lesion examined before cosmetic treatment.

Have a new growing, bleeding or ulcerated scar-like lesion examined before cosmetic treatment.

Common questions

Ice Pick Scars:What is Ice Pick Scars?

Narrow deep atrophic scars, commonly left by acne.

Ice Pick Scars:What can I do day to day?

Protect from sun, avoid picking and control active inflammation before elective scar procedures.

Ice Pick Scars:When should I get medical advice?

Have a new growing, bleeding or ulcerated scar-like lesion examined before cosmetic treatment.

Rolling Scars:What is Rolling Scars?

Broad depressed scars producing an undulating skin surface.

Rolling Scars:What can I do day to day?

Protect from sun, avoid picking and control active inflammation before elective scar procedures.

Rolling Scars:When should I get medical advice?

Have a new growing, bleeding or ulcerated scar-like lesion examined before cosmetic treatment.

Sources

Sources and further reading

  1. Acne scarring
  2. Acne scarring
Dermapedia on YouTube