Post-acne marks can linger long after a breakout is over. Take action to treat them so they fade from view much sooner with help from Paulas Choice.
Whenever you get a pimple, you probably want it to heal quickly. But sometimes, acne blemishes leave a dark mark on your skin even after the pimple is gone. This is frustrating, but not uncommon. Getting rid of these dark spots on your skin starts with understanding what causes them in the first place. When a pimple pops up on your skin, its technically a form of inflammation. And as your skin heals and new skin cells form, its possible that the cells sent to help restore your skins smooth surface contain too much melanin. Melanin is what gives your skin its color, and when certain cells have more melanin than others, the result is a darker patch of skin. This is referred to as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Anything that makes your skin inflammation last longer, like picking or squeezing a blemish, can increase your chances of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. People who have naturally darker skin tones are more prone to this condition. Keep reading to find out more about how to treat those post-pimple dark spots and how to avoid them in the future. See full list on healthline.com Treating dark spots from acne is different than treating acne scars. Scars require tissue to be damaged or overgrown. Scars are difficult to fully remove, and while they may fade over time, they usually remain visible. Dark spots from acne, on the other hand, are flat against the surface of your skin. They dont indicate any long-term damage to your skin cells, pores, or follicles. It can take a while, but dark spots tend to become lighter over time, and eventually go away completely. It can take anywhere from 3 months to 2 years for them to vanish from view. That doesnt mean you have to wait forever in hopes that your dark spots will fade. There are plenty of home remedies, over-the-counter (OTC) products, and even dermatology treatments you can try to get rid of them more quickly. See full list on healthline.com See full list on healthline.com There are also plenty of OTC treatments for dark spots that you can try if home remedies arent helping. Active ingredients for these types of products vary widely, but some have been shown to be more effective than others. These ingredients stop the synthesis of melanin in dark spots while peeling off old skin and encouraging new growth. But some products carry a risk of removing too much pigment from your skin, resulting in hypopigmentation. Speak to your dermatologist before trying OTC products to get rid of dark spots caused by acne. Once youve received your doctors OK, look for products that contain some mix of the following ingredients: retinoids (vitamin A) vitamin E (tocopherol) See full list on healthline.com Chemical peels Find a specialist Discover local dermatologists specializing in chemical peels with Healthline FindCare. Filter by insurance carrier, availability, and more to find the right fit for you.FIND A SPECIALISTDiscover local dermatologists specializing in chemical peels with Healthline FindCare. Filter by insurance carrier, availability, and more to find the right fit for you.FIND A SPECIALIST Find a specialist Discover local dermatologists specializing in microdermabrasion with Healthline FindCare. Filter by insurance carrier, availability, and more to find the right fit for you.FIND A SPECIALISTDiscover local dermatologists specializing in microdermabrasion with Healthline FindCare. Filter by insurance carrier, availability, and more to find the right fit for you.FIND A SPECIALIST Find a specialist Discover local dermatologists with Healthline FindCare. Filter by insurance carrier, availability, and more to find the right fit for you.FIND A SPECIALISTDiscover local dermatologists with Healthline FindCare. Filter by insurance carrier, availability, and more to find the right fit for you.FIND A SPECIALIST See full list on healthline.com Be careful when using certain products that claim to treat dark spots caused by acne. For one thing, some of these products contain powerful retinol ingredients. These ingredients work by thinning out layers of your skin. While that may result in skin that feels more smooth and looks more evenly toned, that leaves you more vulnerable to damage caused by sun exposure. Be sure to apply sunscreen every day as part of your beauty routine. Also, remember that not every cosmetic product is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Be particularly careful of products that are bought internationally or sold online. See full list on healthline.com If you find that youre developing dark spots frequently, or if the appearance of these dark spots is affecting your day-to-day life, its time to speak to your healthcare provider. If youre concerned about your dark spots and dont already have a dermatologist, you can view doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. See full list on healthline.com As a pimple heals, your body sometimes produces cells with too much melanin in them to replace the damaged skin. This results in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which we sometimes just call a dark spot. There are home remedies, OTC options, and even some dermatologist treatments designed to make these dark spots fade faster. Speak to your doctor if youre at all concerned about dark spots from acne on your skin. See full list on healthline.com While you cant necessarily snap your fingers and instantly get rid of post-acne marks, there are multiple options to help reduce the appearance of post-acne marks. Ahead, learn more about post-acne marks and discover some products and lifestyle habits that can help make a difference. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne is very common. Find out why it happens and how these dark acne marks are treated. Learn about various types of acne scars & post acne mark treatment from Dr. Whitney Tolpinrud, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist & Medical Director at Curology. View all Learn how to treat post-acne marks with proven skincare ingredients, sun protection, and professional treatments to fade discoloration safely. Dark marks after acne are common and treatable. Learn which ingredients and treatments actually fade post-acne hyperpigmentation and how long it takes.


As we can see from the illustration, Post Acne Marks Treatment has many fascinating aspects to explore.