Post-acne marks and acne scars may look similar, but they are not the same. Learn how to tell the difference, what causes them, and which treatments can help improve the appearance of your skin.
For skincare enthusiasts, understanding your skin is more important than using multiple products for your skin. Acne marks and acne scars are two different skin concerns. They are both imperfections that appear on your skin surface; they typically appear in the skin recovery stage.
Both acne marks and scars have different causes, symptoms, and treatments. Acne marks are flat color changes, while acne scars involve changes in skin texture such as dents and pits. Knowing the difference helps you understand which changes may fade out over time and which may need a more targeted skin treatment. In this article, we explore what the difference is between post-acne marks and post-acne scars.
What are Post-Acne Marks?
Post-Acne marks are flat discolorations, found as red, pink, brown, or dark patches left on the skin after post-inflammatory healing. They are temporary. Unlike scars, there will be no change in the texture of the skin. Post-Acne marks are the skin’s inflammatory response, leaving behind excess pigment under the skin or dilated blood vessels. There are two types of post-acne marks.
- Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): This condition occurs when acne-related inflammation triggers excess melanin production. As a result, brown or dark flat spots can appear in the place where a pimple previously existed. This condition is common in deeper skin tones.
- Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE): This condition occurs due to excess melanin production, which results in red, pink flat spots appearing on the skin. This condition is more common in fair skin tones.
Both PIH and PIE are flat, smooth, and temporary, and will fade on their own with the right skincare.
What are Post-Acne Scars?
Post-Acne scars are changes in the texture and structure of the skin caused by inflamed lesions. Usually, these scars occur when the wall of a follicle breaks. Post-Acne scars can create visible depressions and raised areas. Acne scars take more time to heal when compared to acne marks and also affect the surrounding tissue, leading to further scarring of the skin. There are two types of post-acne scars.
Atrophic Scars
Atrophic scars are depressed areas under the surrounding skin. These scars develop when the skin produces less collagen during the healing process. These atrophic scars are categorized as:
- Ice Pick Scars: These scars are deep, narrow, V-shaped pits which look like skin was punctured with a sharp object. They extend deeper into the skin than they appear.
- Boxcar Scars: These scars are wider, round depressions with defined vertical edges. These scars create noticeable changes on the skin.
- Rolling Scars: These scars are broad, shallow depressions with sloping edges, which give the skin a wavy appearance.
Hypertrophic Scars
Skipping moisturizer can affect your skin, especially when your skin tends to be dry. Applying moisturizer twice a day helps to hydrate your skin and protect the skin barrier.
How do Post-Acne Marks and Acne Scars Develop?
Both acne marks and scars are referred to as inflammation and the healing process of the skin. It depends on how the skin responds, which determines what remains after a breakout. Mild acne leaves a temporary discoloration, while deeper inflammatory acne, due to overproduction of collagen, increases the risk of scarring. Various factors are responsible for post-acne marks and acne scars, which include
- Inflammatory acne
- Ongoing irritation
- Picking or squeezing pimples
- More sun exposure
- Delayed acne treatment
- Skin type and pigmentation
- Medical reactions
- Deep cuts
- Individual healing response
How to Get Rid of Post-Acne Marks?
There is no fixed duration for how long post-acne marks last. It depends on the depth of pigmentation and your skin’s healing ability. Lighter spots may disappear quickly, while darker spots take more time. It’s important to understand that direct sun exposure can worsen the acne marks, causing the dark spots to become more sustained.
Depending on your skin type, include the skincare ingredients that help reduce post-acne marks, such as Vitamin C, niacinamide, tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, and retinoids. By incorporating these active skincare ingredients, the acne marks will reduce and restore the glow. It is possible to treat acne marks with the right treatments. Here are the effective treatments to reduce post-acne marks.
- Topical Brightening Treatments: For patients seeking a gradual skincare approach, professional-grade topical treatments help to reduce the acne marks. Vitamin C and retinols are the ingredients used in these products to reduce the dark spots and brighten the complexion.
- HydraFacial: A HydraFacial is a gentle, non-invasive facial, a combination of exfoliation, extraction, and hydration to improve skin health.
- Chemical Peels: A chemical solution is applied to the skin, exfoliating the surface and removing the damaged outer layers. This treatment promotes the regeneration of fresh, healthy skin and helps to fade dark spots.
- LED Therapy: This is a non-invasive treatment that uses targeted light wavelengths to improve skin health, reduce inflammation, and support natural healing.
Emmrey Medical Aesthetics offers advanced solutions to fade post‑acne marks and restore clear, radiant skin. With treatments like HydraFacial, chemical peels, LED therapy, and professional topical brightening care, they combine science and aesthetics to help you achieve a smoother, glowing complexion.
How to Get Rid of Post-Acne Scars?
When compared to post-acne marks, the duration of scars is usually permanent, as they change the skin texture and structure. But with professional treatments, the appearance of the acne scars can be changed.
Here are the treatments that help to reduce the appearance of acne scars.
- Microneedling: Microneedling is a skincare treatment that involves a small device with tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin. This process boosts collagen production and stimulates the body’s natural healing process.
- Laser Treatments: Treatments like Aerolase Neo Laser are gentle laser processes that improve uneven skin texture, tone, and overall skin health. This laser treatment supports all skin types and tones, which makes it one of the most versatile laser treatments.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP): In this treatment, the patient’s own blood is processed to concentrate platelets that promote healing and tissue regeneration. The PRP is injected into acne scar areas to stimulate collagen production and to improve healing.
- Derma Fillers: These are injectable treatments used to plump up areas of the skin affected by deep acne scars. The filler is made of hyaluronic acid, which helps to lift and smooth depressed scars.
- Subcision: It is a technique where a needle is inserted under the skin to break up the scar tissue that is pulling the skin down. This treatment is effective for rolling scars and is often combined with microneedling or laser treatments to enhance the outcome.
Emmrey Medical Aesthetics helps reduce the appearance of post‑acne scars with advanced treatments like microneedling and Aerolase Neo laser therapy. These procedures stimulate collagen, refine uneven texture, and restore a smoother, healthier look to your skin.
Conclusion
The effective management of acne marks and scars can be done by understanding the differences between them. Post-Acne marks are temporary discolorations that fade out with time and with proper treatment. Acne scars are permanent changes in texture and structure that require more intensive treatments. Choose the right treatment that is tailored to your skin type and tone, which helps to improve your overall skin health.
Looking for professional solutions to reduce post-acne marks and post-acne scars? At Emmrey Medical Aesthetics, our professional treatments such as Aerolase Neo laser, HydraFacial, Microneedling, Skin rejuvenation peels, and LED therapy are designed to improve your skin health. Our experienced aesthetic team helps you restore your skin’s radiance. Book your appointment today!
Our Clinic is a European Quality Standard
On your first visit to the clinic, you will receive a consultation with a specialist.
