Acne scars and dark marks: how to treat them
Post-acne is the general name for what acne leaves behind: marks where the inflammation was and scars, which are dents in the skin. Marks usually fade over time, and peels and daily SPF help with that, while scars don't go away on their own. At Viva Clinic in Slavuta, acne scars are made less noticeable with plasma lifting once breakouts are under control.
Published Updated 5 min read
What post-acne is: marks or scars
Acne leaves two kinds of traces, and they’re treated differently. Marks appear where the inflammation was. On fair skin they’re more often pink or red, on darker skin brown. A mark is level with the rest of the skin: if you run a finger over it, you won’t feel it. Such marks are pigmentation or leftover redness, and they fade over time.
Scars form when inflammation damages the deeper layers of the skin. Acne most often leaves atrophic scars, which are dents: small deep pits, wider hollows with sharp edges or soft rolling unevenness. Less often a scar is raised above the skin. That kind of scar is called hypertrophic, and if it spreads beyond the edges of the original wound, it’s a keloid. The same face often has both marks and scars.
Why acne is treated first and pimples shouldn’t be squeezed
As long as new breakouts appear, new marks appear too. So acne is brought under control first, and only then is post-acne treated. Acne treatment is prescribed by a dermatologist, who determines the type of acne and chooses skin treatments, and tablets if needed. Why acne develops and when to see a doctor is explained in our article what acne is.
Squeezing pimples raises the risk of post-acne. When you press on a pimple, part of its contents is pushed deeper, the inflammation spreads, and a dark mark or a scar is more likely to remain. Deep painful nodules also often heal with scars, so see a dermatologist about them without delay.
If you take isotretinoin for acne or finished a course less than six months ago, tell your cosmetologist. A medium-depth peel usually isn’t done in that case.
How to fade acne marks
Marks fade on their own, but slowly. The sun slows this down and makes them darker, so you need SPF every day, on cloudy days too.
Chemical peels help brown marks fade faster. The PEEL-EXPERT line used at Viva Clinic includes a brightening peel for pigmentation and post-acne marks. Superficial peels are done as a course, one to four weeks apart. Most peels are planned for autumn and winter, when the sun is gentler. Marks fade gradually over the course, and results vary from person to person. A cosmetic doctor chooses the peel after examining your skin.
At home, don’t pick at the flakes after a peel, and don’t use products with strong acids or retinol without a specialist’s advice. Irritated skin pigments more easily, and you may end up with more marks.
How acne scars are treated
For atrophic scars, Viva Clinic uses plasma lifting. Blood is taken from a vein, a centrifuge separates out plasma rich in platelets, and the doctor injects it into the scarred area with a fine needle. Platelets release substances that start tissue repair and collagen production. Scar tissue changes slowly, so a course of several sessions is usually needed. The doctor decides how many and how far apart after the examination.
The aim of treatment is to make the scars less noticeable. How much they change depends on their type, depth and age, and no procedure can remove a scar completely. Some people notice changes after the first sessions, but the result is judged after the full course. Atrophic scars on the face are sometimes also corrected with dermal fillers. Keloid and hypertrophic scars are often treated with other methods, so the doctor may suggest seeing a dermatologist first. Read how the procedure works on our page on scar treatment at Viva Clinic.
Who shouldn’t have these treatments and when to see a doctor
Plasma lifting isn’t done with blood disorders or clotting problems, anticoagulant use, cancer, or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It’s postponed if there’s inflammation or infection of the skin in the scar area, an acute infection or a flare-up of a chronic illness. A peel is postponed if you have active herpes, wounds, sunburn or a fresh tan on your face. The doctor checks the full list of contraindications at the consultation, so tell them about any illnesses, medication and allergies.
After plasma lifting, redness, slight swelling and bruising at the injection sites usually go away within a few days. Call the doctor who did the procedure right away if the skin in the injection area turns white, blue or blotchy, or the pain gets worse. If your vision suddenly worsens, your eye hurts, you see double or your eyelid droops after a procedure on the face, call an ambulance on 103. Also call 103 if your face, tongue or throat swells and breathing becomes difficult. And if after a few days the skin becomes hot and red, or you notice pus or a fever, contact a doctor the same day.
The consultation and treatments take place at the Viva Clinic aesthetic medicine center at 16b/3 Kuzovkova St in Slavuta. You can book by phone, on Viber or Telegram.
Questions and answers
Does post-acne go away on its own?
Marks often fade on their own, but slowly, sometimes over months. In the sun they darken and last longer, so you need SPF every day, even in autumn and winter. Scars don't disappear on their own: they're treated with procedures, and a doctor draws up the plan after an examination.
Can I cover acne marks with makeup?
Yes, foundation and concealer hide marks well, though makeup is less good at disguising dents. Choose products labeled non-comedogenic so they don't clog pores or trigger new breakouts. Always take your makeup off in the evening.
When can I start treating acne scars?
When new breakouts have stopped or are under control. A new scar keeps changing for a while after it heals, so the doctor assesses whether it's too early to treat it. If you take acne medication, mention it at the consultation.
Can I have a peel if I'm still getting pimples?
Often, yes. For oily, breakout-prone skin, peels with salicylic acid are usually chosen, and with acne they complement the treatment prescribed by a dermatologist. A cosmetic doctor makes the final choice after examining your skin, taking inflammation and sensitivity into account.
