To explore the different kinds of acne marks, first it\u2019s important to know what they look like and why they happen.<\/p>\n
Peri and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation<\/strong> Peri-inflammatory hyperpigmentation<\/strong> means the pigmentation appears at the same time as your active acne. It\u2019s important that before treating pigmentation, we treat your active acne first. This is because the longer the condition goes on, the more pigment is produced. PIH can happen with any skin type, but it\u2019s more common in brown and black skin (Fitzpatrick skin types 4\u20136)<\/a>. Around 60% of people with black skin will have PIH after acne, and it\u2019ll generally be purple or brown in colour with this skin type. It can take 6\u201312 months to clear on its own, but in 20% of cases, it can take even longer \u2014 even up to 5 years. It all depends on the depth of the hyperpigmentation and areas affected. However, it can clear quicker with the help of powerful ingredients like topical retinoids, azelaic acid and hydroquinone, once you know which one to use.<\/p>\n Post-inflammatory hypopigmentation<\/strong> Post-inflammatory erythema<\/strong> Acne scarring<\/strong> Acne scarring forms during the natural wound healing process, where skin cells produce collagen and a protein called keratin to help repair the area affected by a spot. The amount and type of scarring you get depends on several factors, like genetics and the severity of your acne. Here are some examples of how acne scarring can appear:<\/p>\n Ice-pick scars: small, deep, narrow, pitted scars. We know that it can be frustrating to experience scarring so soon after healing your acne. It\u2019s important to remember though, it\u2019s all part of your skin\u2019s natural healing process and is easily treatable after your breakouts and pigmentation have cleared.<\/p>\n Now we know more about the different types of acne marks, how do you treat them? This will depend on whether you still have active acne, and the type of acne mark you\u2019re experiencing. Here are some of the steps we, or your dermatologist, can take:<\/p>\n I currently have acne, I\u2019d like to treat hyperpigmentation and\/or scarring<\/em> To learn more about the best ingredients for treating acne, check out our blog post<\/a>. The great news about our ingredients is that they\u2019re often multi-tasking \u2014 so we use them to treat hyperpigmentation, too. While your acne is clearing, your formula will also work to fade any dark marks your spots leave behind. Then once you\u2019re ready, our dermatology experts will transition you onto a skincare formula that\u2019s clinically proven to fade hyperpigmentation after the acne has cleared.<\/p>\n Both of these treatment plans will help to improve the texture of your skin, which could help with mild scarring, too. Any deep or hypertrophic scars unfortunately won\u2019t respond to a topical formula alone, so will most likely need a specialist.<\/p>\n My acne has cleared, but I have scarring and hyperpigmentation<\/em> To learn more about treating hyperpigmentation, check out our blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nWhen people refer to \u2018acne marks\u2019 or \u2018dark marks\u2019, this is usually what they\u2019re talking about.
\nPeri and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) are caused by an inflammatory response in the skin, which often happens with conditions like acne. Inflammation is part of your skin\u2019s healing process, but melanin-producing cells are part of this immune response. They\u2019re activated when your skin gets inflamed, which can make them produce excess pigment. These types of hyperpigmentation are very similar, but happen at slightly different stages:<\/p>\n
\nPost-inflammatory hyperpigmentation<\/strong> means the inflammation caused when your acne has gone away, but the pigment is still visible.<\/p>\n
\nWhen your skin\u2019s melanin-producing cells respond to inflammation, they don\u2019t always create excess pigment. Sometimes they react by producing the normal amount of melanin. Or, sometimes they even decrease their melanin production. In these cases, you get post-inflammatory hypopigmentation. This is where the melanin-producing cells reduce the amount of pigment they create, resulting in lighter patches on the skin where your inflammation was. You don\u2019t usually need to do anything about hypopigmentation once you\u2019ve started using actives to treat your acne, but a GP or Dermatology specialist can prescribe specific medicines if you haven\u2019t seen an improvement over time.<\/p>\n
\nPost-inflammatory erythema (PIE) happens when your blood flow increases while an area of acne on your skin is inflamed. This can cause your blood vessels to widen or become damaged, leaving red or pink marks on the skin. Blood vessel damage might sound serious, but PIE is normal and usually settles on its own in a few weeks. It\u2019s more common in white skin, but can still occur in all skin types.<\/p>\n
\nLike post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, acne scarring happens as part of your skin\u2019s healing process in breakout-prone areas. This usually happens in moderate to severe cases of acne, but it can happen with milder flare-ups, too \u2014 it\u2019s most common where nodules or cysts have been on the skin.<\/p>\n
\nRolling scars: broad scars with sloping edges.
\nBoxcar scars: broad scars with sharp borders.
\nHypertrophic or keloid scars: thick scars, raised above the skin surface.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.dermatica.co.uk\/skinlab\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Blog-Deep-Dive-on-Acne-Marks-_MID-ARTICLE-1-1024x618.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHow does Dermatica treat acne marks?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\nIf you still have active acne, our first priority is to treat and clear your breakouts. This is because there’s always a chance of more hyperpigmentation forming as they heal. Stopping breakouts will also help reduce the risk of any scars developing. A topical formula containing retinoids like adapalene or tretinoin will help treat your acne by reducing inflammation and unclogging pores, while other ingredients like benzoyl peroxide help keep acne-causing bacteria at bay.<\/p>\n
\nOnce your breakouts have been treated, our dermatology experts will recommend a formula that contains pigment-fading actives like hydroquinone and azelaic acid. While using this formula, it\u2019s really important to apply daily sun protection (a broad-spectrum sunscreen, at least SPF 30) and avoid direct sunlight in summer months. This is because UV exposure can worsen hyperpigmentation by making it darker and harder to fade.<\/p>\n