If you’ve been battling acne (“战痘星人”), you probably know there’s something even more stubborn and frustrating than acne marks—痘坑 and 痘疤. Often referred to as the “moon surface” look, these deep skin irregularities can severely affect one’s appearance. The biggest challenge? They’re notoriously hard to remove. Since these scars involve damage to the dermis, skincare products alone are usually ineffective. Instead, aesthetic treatments are often required to improve this condition.
So, how do we describe 痘坑 and 痘疤 in English, especially when seeking treatment in London?
痘坑 (deep pits) and 痘疤 (raised or red scars) are collectively referred to as Acne Scars in English. Some people may simply use the word scar, but Acne Scars is the proper term in dermatology. In fact, 痘坑 is a subtype of acne scars called Atrophic (depressed) acne scars, while 痘疤 more often refers to Hypertrophic (raised) acne scars.
Types of Acne Scars:
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Ice Pick Scar（冰锥型痘疤）
Narrow and deep pits in the skin. -
Boxcar Scar（车厢型痘疤）
Broad depressions with sharply defined edges. -
Rolling Scar（碾压型/滚筒型痘疤）
Wave-like skin texture due to uneven tissue damage. -
Raised Acne Scar（增生性痘疤）
Red, inflamed, and protruding scars—often mistaken for ongoing acne.
The formation of 痘坑痘疤 is often the result of incorrect or aggressive pimple popping (pop a pimple) and inadequate healing. Medically, this occurs when inflammation causes necrosis and liquefaction of skin tissues, leading to damage beneath the skin. Since these are dermis-level injuries, once bacteria penetrate into the dermis, it’s difficult for the skin to fully repair itself, resulting in permanent scarring.
Almost anyone with persistent acne will have some degree of scarring. Since these scars are irreversible and difficult to heal naturally, aesthetic medicine offers targeted solutions, especially using energy-based devices or injectables.
Recommended Treatments:
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Radiofrequency Microneedling (射频黄金微针)
Uses fine needles and 3DEEP RF multisource phase-controlled technology developed by ENDYMED Ltd (Israel) to stimulate collagen production and repair damaged skin. -
Fractional Skin Resurfacing (FSR 相控点阵射频)
A non-invasive radiofrequency-based treatment, also from ENDYMED, effective for deep scar remodeling. -
PICOSURE Laser (蜂巢皮秒激光)
A highly effective laser pigmentation and scar treatment, known for breaking down scar tissue and stimulating regeneration. -
Stella M22 (超光子嫩肤)
An IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) therapy to improve skin tone and reduce pigmentation from acne marks. -
Acid Peel (刷酸)
A chemical exfoliation method to refine texture and reduce surface irregularities. -
Mesotherapy 水光针
A skin booster technique injecting hydrating ingredients into the dermis for overall skin quality improvement. -
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma 自体血清嫩肤)
Uses the patient’s own plasma to regenerate skin tissue gradually. -
Fotona 4D PRO (欧洲之星综合抗衰激光)
A 4-dimensional laser treatment combining lifting, tightening, and resurfacing—great for both scarring and anti-aging.
If you’re unsure which treatment suits you best, visiting a reputable Asian aesthetic clinic in London is strongly recommended. For instance, Ai Beauty Clinic, certified by the UK’s Care Quality Commission (CQC), provides customized treatment plans in a medically regulated environment—ensuring both safety and effectiveness.