Acne Marks vs Acne Scars: How to Treat Each

Acne breakouts can leave behind more than temporary redness. Even after a pimple heals, you may notice dark spots, red patches, uneven texture, or depressions on the skin. While these concerns are often called acne scars, acne marks and acne scars are not the same thing.

The key difference is that acne marks affect skin colour and usually fade over time, while true acne scars involve changes to the skin’s texture or structure. Understanding this difference can help you choose the right approach for treating them. In this guide, we explain acne marks vs acne scars, what causes them, how to manage acne marks at home, and which treatments may help improve the appearance of acne scars.

What Is the Difference Between Acne Marks and Acne Scars? 

Acne marks and acne scars can both appear after a breakout, but they affect the skin differently. Acne marks are usually changes in skin colour, such as pigmentation or redness, that gradually become less noticeable. Acne scars, on the other hand, occur when acne damages the deeper layers of the skin and heals with altered tissue.

Knowing which one you have is important because skincare ingredients that help fade pigmentation may not be enough to improve indented or raised scars.

What Are Acne Marks and What Do They Look Like?

Acne marks are flat areas of discoloration that remain after an acne lesion has healed. They do not usually change the texture of the skin.

Depending on your skin tone and the type of inflammation involved, acne marks may appear as:

• Brown or dark spots, often referred to as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

• Red or pink patches, particularly after inflamed breakouts

• Areas that look darker than the surrounding skin after a pimple heals

Acne marks are generally temporary and may gradually become lighter over time. However, excessive sun exposure, picking at pimples, and ongoing inflammation can make them more noticeable or cause them to last longer.

What Are Acne Scars and What Do They Look Like?

Acne scars develop when inflammation damages the skin’s deeper tissue and the healing process produces a lasting change in its structure. 

They are generally classified into different types, including:

• Ice pick scars: Small, narrow indentations that extend deeper into the skin.

• Boxcar scars: Wider depressions with defined edges that can make the skin appear uneven.

• Rolling scars: Shallow, wave-like depressions that create an irregular skin texture.

• Raised scars: Firm, elevated areas that develop when excess scar tissue forms during healing.

How Can You Tell If You Have Acne Marks or Scars?

A simple way to distinguish between the two is to look at the skin’s texture. If the affected area is flat and only differs in colour from the surrounding skin, you are more likely dealing with an acne mark.

If you notice depressions, pits, raised areas, or an uneven texture, it may be an acne scar. In some cases, a person can have both marks and scars after the same breakout.

When you are unsure, a dermatologist can examine your skin and determine whether you have pigmentation, redness, scarring, or a combination of concerns. This distinction is important because each issue requires a different treatment approach.

What Causes Acne Marks and Acne Scars?

Acne marks and scars usually develop as part of the skin’s healing response after inflammation. However, the underlying processes are different.

Why Do Acne Marks Develop After Breakouts?

When acne causes inflammation, the skin may produce more melanin in the affected area, resulting in a darker mark after the breakout heals. This can leave behind a dark spot after the pimple has healed, particularly in deeper skin tones.

Red or pink marks can also remain after inflammation, particularly as the skin heals following an acne breakout. These colour changes may gradually improve, but the process can take weeks or months.

Several factors can make acne marks more noticeable or slower to fade, including:

• Frequent or severe breakouts

• Picking, squeezing, or scratching pimples

• Excessive sun exposure

• Repeated skin irritation

• Not treating ongoing acne

Preventing new breakouts and protecting the skin from ultraviolet exposure can help reduce the chance of developing persistent marks.

Why Do Some Acne Breakouts Cause Permanent Scars?

Acne scars can form when significant inflammation damages the deeper layers of the skin. During healing, the body produces collagen and other structural components to repair the affected area. If too little or too much tissue is produced, the skin may heal with a permanent change in texture.

Deeper, inflamed acne lesions, including nodules and cysts, are more likely to result in scarring. Picking or squeezing these lesions can also increase inflammation and tissue damage.

However, not every severe-looking pimple will cause a scar, and even mild acne can sometimes leave lasting changes. Genetics, skin healing, the severity and duration of inflammation, and how the acne is managed can all influence the risk.

How to Treat Acne Marks and Acne Scars

Treatment depends on whether you are dealing with a change in skin colour or a structural change in the skin. Acne marks can often be managed with a consistent skincare routine, while true acne scars may require professional procedures for noticeable improvement.

How to Get Rid of Acne Marks at Home

If you are wondering how to get rid of acne marks, the first step is to focus on preventing further inflammation and protecting your skin from the sun.

A simple routine may include:

• Gentle Face Wash: Use a mild cleanser to remove excess oil, sweat, and impurities without unnecessarily irritating the skin.

Chemist at Play 2% Salicylic Acid Face Wash is the right choice for both men and women looking to fade acne or post-acne marks. Formulated with Salicylic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Cica Extract, and Ceramides, it helps keep the skin clear, smoother, and healthier. 

• Niacinamide: Niacinamide can help support a more even-looking skin tone and is generally suitable for many skin types.

• Vitamin C: A topical vitamin C product may help improve the appearance of uneven pigmentation and support brighter-looking skin.

• Exfoliating acids: Ingredients such as salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid can help improve skin cell turnover and the appearance of discoloration. Introduce them gradually to reduce the risk of irritation.

• Sunscreen: Broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential because UV exposure can make pigmentation more noticeable and prolong its appearance.

What Treatments Help Reduce Acne Scars?

If you are looking for how to treat acne scars, topical skincare alone may not be enough, particularly for indented or raised scars. A dermatologist can recommend treatment based on the scar type, depth, skin tone, and overall skin condition.

Professional options may include:

• Chemical peels: Certain medical-grade peels can improve skin texture and pigmentation and may be useful for selected types of acne scarring.

• Microneedling: This procedure creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate collagen production and may improve the appearance of some depressed scars.

• Laser treatments: Different laser technologies can target pigmentation, texture, or collagen remodeling. The appropriate laser depends on the individual's skin and scar type.

• Subcision: This technique can be used for selected depressed scars that are tethered to deeper tissue. It releases the fibrous bands beneath the scar, making the depression less noticeable.

• Dermal fillers: Certain depressed scars may be temporarily improved with injectable fillers that add volume beneath the affected area.