Acne scars vs dark spots is an important difference, because the two are treated in very different ways. Many of the "scars" people worry about after a breakout are not scars at all. They are flat marks of color that fade with time. True scars change the shape of the skin.
The quick test: look and feel
Stand near a window and look at the area from the side. Then run a clean fingertip over it.
- Flat and smooth, only the color is different: this is a mark, not a scar.
- A dip, pit or raised bump you can see or feel: this is a scar.
Dark spots and red marks
When a pimple heals, the inflammation can leave color behind.
- Brown, gray or dark marks are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The skin made extra pigment during healing. They are more common and last longer in medium and dark skin tones.
- Pink or red marks come from small blood vessels that stay widened after inflammation. They are easier to see on light skin.
Both kinds are flat. Both usually fade, but slowly: often over several months, and sometimes a year or more for deep marks.
True acne scars
Scars form when deep inflammation damages the skin and it heals with too little or too much tissue.
| Scar type | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Ice pick | Narrow, deep holes, like a puncture |
| Boxcar | Round or oval dents with sharp edges |
| Rolling | Wide, shallow dips that make skin look wavy |
| Raised (hypertrophic or keloid) | Firm bumps above the skin, often on the chest, back and jaw |
Scars do not fade by themselves in the way marks do, although they can soften slightly over time.
Caring for dark spots at home
- Treat the acne first. New pimples make new marks.
- Wear sunscreen every day. Sunlight darkens marks and slows fading. A tinted sunscreen with iron oxides also helps to shield skin from visible light.
- Do not pick. Picking deepens the inflammation.
- Consider a brightening ingredient. Azelaic acid, vitamin C, niacinamide and retinoids are commonly used. Vitamin C Serum Buying Guide: Ingredients and Packaging explains what to look for in a vitamin C serum.
Be patient and careful with strong products. Irritation can itself cause new dark marks, especially in darker skin tones.
Treating scars
Creams and serums cannot fill a dent in the skin. Treatments for scars are procedures carried out by dermatologists. Depending on the scar type, they may include microneedling, chemical peels, laser treatment, fillers, minor surgery to release or remove a scar, and injections to flatten raised scars. Several sessions are usually needed, and the goal is improvement, not perfect skin. Active acne should be under control first.
How to prevent both
- Start acne treatment early, especially for deep, painful spots.
- Keep your hands off pimples.
- Protect healing skin from the sun.
- See a dermatologist if scars run in your family or you notice the first dents.
How to Care for Skin After a Breakout gives day-by-day care for skin after a breakout.
When to see a dermatologist
Book an appointment if marks have not faded after six to twelve months, if you have dents or raised scars, or if a dark spot changes shape, bleeds or looks different from your other marks. A spot that changes should always be checked. Age Spots vs Freckles: What to Look For explains other kinds of brown spots.
Related on ArniSun
- How to Care for Skin After a Breakout
- Age Spots vs Freckles: What to Look For
- Skincare Routine for Acne-Prone Skin
- Sunscreen Guide: What SPF, UVA, and UVB Mean
- Vitamin C Serum Buying Guide: Ingredients and Packaging
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Do dark spots from acne go away completely?
Most fade completely or almost completely with time and sun protection. Deeper marks in darker skin tones can take a year or longer.
Can I get rid of acne scars with products from a shop?
Products can improve color and surface texture a little, but they cannot remove indented or raised scars. Those need professional treatment.
Does popping pimples cause scars?
It increases the risk. Squeezing pushes material deeper into the skin and adds injury on top of inflammation, which makes both marks and scars more likely.