Acne can leave behind dark spots that stick around for a while, which can be really annoying. Wouldn’t it be nice if pimples disappeared as soon as they popped up? But sadly, these dark spots, called acne marks and hyperpigmentation, need extra care and time to go away.
Acne is a very common problem across the world. Almost 80% of the population, both men and women between the ages of 11 and 30, suffer from acne. And about 1 in 5 people will suffer from scarring and pigmentation.
If you want to understand how acne causes these scars and dark spots and when they’ll finally fade, keep reading. We’ll explain everything at the end of this article.
What Is Hyperpigmentation?
When you break down the word “hyperpigmentation,” you have “hyper,” which means excessive or over, and “pigmentation,” which refers to the coloring of skin tissue. So, hyperpigmentation simply means an excess of pigment in the skin.
When your skin produces more melanin than usual, it shows up as dark spots, patches, or discolouration. Hyperpigmentation is essentially a blanket term for darkened pigment.
According to Medical News Today, “Your skin’s natural response to injury or trauma is to produce melanin. This happens when you get a scratch, cut, or any other kind of wound, including exposure to the sun.”
In response to this trauma, your skin kicks into gear, stimulating melanocytes, which produce melanin, to protect itself from further damage. This stimulation leads to patches of spots, darkened skin, and discolouration – in other words, hyperpigmentation.”
Inflammation involves acne, pimples, blemishes, and skin conditions like eczema. Post-acne hyperpigmentation is the skin’s way of healing from this inflammation. It’s one of the many ways your skin deals with wounds.
Acne hyperpigmentation doesn’t discriminate; it can affect anyone, regardless of skin type. These dark spots can appear in various colours, like red, brown, or pink, and can appear anywhere on the body, not just the face.
Acne Marks Vs Hyperpigmentation
People often mix up the terms “acne scarring” and “post-acne hyperpigmentation.” Acne scarring refers to any change in the skin after a pimple.
Though both can happen after a breakout, they’re different.
Acne scarring means there’s a physical change in the skin’s texture. On the other hand, post-acne hyperpigmentation is just a change in skin colour, and it doesn’t affect the skin’s texture.
Post-acne hyperpigmentation is sometimes called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). It can be more frustrating and distressing than dealing with the pimples themselves.
How To Treat Hyperpigmentation and Acne Marks?
You can’t get rid of acne-induced hyperpigmentation or marks overnight with any treatment. The key is to treat your acne first to effectively address the pigmentation issue. But here’s the good news: those dark marks will gradually fade with the proper methods.
Here are some steps you can take to help the healing process along.
Sunscreen
Although the sun doesn’t directly cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation acne, it can worsen things by darkening affected areas and slowing down the fading process.
“Prolonged exposure to the sun and repeated tanning are the major reasons for spots and hyperpigmentation”, says Dr. Chytra V Anand, Indian Beauty Guru and Award-Winning Cosmetic Dermatologist.
Sun protection is crucial among the treatments for acne marks and hyperpigmentation. Dealing with pigmentation issues means safeguarding your skin from the sun. Sun exposure can worsen pigmentation, so it’s important to protect your skin while you work on correcting it.
One effective product for hyperpigmentation is a physical sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Sunscreen forms a barrier that reflects UV light away from your skin, helping to prevent further damage.
Regular Use of Anti-Inflammatory Skincare
Whether you have dark spots from dermatitis, acne, or eczema, inflammation is your body’s way of healing.
However, in cases like acne, this healing response can kick in when it’s not really necessary, leading to chronic inflammation and hyperpigmentation.
To address hyperpigmentation caused by acne, the best approach is to use skincare products that reduce inflammation as part of your daily routine.
Micro Needling
Microneedling is a procedure in which a stainless-steel roller with tiny needles creates small injuries on the skin. This prompts the skin to make new elastin and collagen, which helps rejuvenate it.
By breaking down the skin barrier, it becomes easier to apply ingredients that lighten pigmentation. Microneedling is usually combined with a quality topical cream for best results.
| Pro Tip: You should have at least three or more treatments every six weeks for the best results. |
Chemical Peels
Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of chemical peels for mild pigmentation issues. These simple clinical treatments involving low-pH acids can make a big difference.
Chemical peels are treatments that remove darkened and dead skin cells from the top layers of the skin. This helps reduce dullness and improves how your skin reflects light, giving you a noticeable glow.
Having these treatments occasionally can reduce dark spots and boost collagen production. While at-home options are available, chemical peels can be harsh, so it’s wise to consult your dermatologist before using one.
Chemical peels work by renewing the surface of your skin and reducing pigmentation. Like other skin procedures, you’ll need three to six treatments spaced out every 3 to 4 weeks to see results.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a must-have in your skincare routine to tackle hyperpigmentation. It brings loads of benefits, like brightening and revitalizing your skin and boosting collagen production.
This potent vitamin helps break up and lighten existing pigmentation spots while preventing new dark spots.
Retinol
Retinol, also known as vitamin A, helps reduce acne marks and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation by speeding up your skin’s cell turnover. This means it helps your skin shed old cells that can clog pores and encourages the growth of new ones.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, often caused by acne and clogged pores, can be lightened by clearing those pores and promoting cell regeneration.
| Bonus Tip: To find the right strength of retinol for your skin, it’s best to consult your dermatologist. |
Lasers
Pigmentation and scars in the second layer of the skin is quite stubborn, almost like a tattoo. But lasers can help!
Lasers work by using gentle heat and energy to break up the pigment particles in your skin, removing dark spots. Your dermatologist or laser technician can recommend the right treatment for you.
Like with other procedures, you’ll likely need six treatments or more, spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart, to see the best results.
How To Prevent Acne Marks And Hyperpigmentation?
It’s crucial to address the acne itself to prevent hyperpigmentation, but that’s not always easy. Here are some tips to help:
- Treat both the acne and the dark spots: Since dark spots tend to last longer than acne, it’s important to treat the acne too. By clearing up the acne, you’re addressing what causes the dark spots in the first place.
- Treat acne early: Studies show that starting acne treatment early can prevent it from getting worse. If you wait until it’s in the moderate to severe stage, you’re more likely to develop pigmentation spots.
- Avoid popping, picking, or squeezing pimples, as it can increase the risk of scarring or leaving marks.
- Use non-comedogenic products: Some skincare products can clog pores and cause breakouts. Look for products labelled non-comedogenic, which won’t clog pores. Ingredients like cocoa butter or shea butter can contribute to clogged pores and acne.
- Be gentle with your skin: Scrubbing your skin harshly won’t clear acne or pigmentation. In fact, it can make acne worse. Gentle skincare is the way to go for clearing acne.
- Avoid heavy makeup: While makeup can hide blemishes, it can also cause new ones by clogging pores. Opt for mineral makeup or lightweight products that won’t clog pores.
How Long Does It Take For Acne Marks and Hyperpigmentation To Fade?
The good news is that pigmentation will eventually fade away. How long it takes depends on how intense and profound the trauma is. Some spots might vanish within a month, while others could take up to a year.
Think of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne as a wound that slowly heals. Your skin constantly changes, with new cells replacing old ones every day. This cycle usually takes around 30 days. So, depending on how severe it is, acne-induced hyperpigmentation could fade away in just a month.
But hang on – here’s the catch: Even though your skin renews itself every 30 days, about 20% of the old pigmented cells stick around. With that 20% still hanging on, it takes longer to fully correct the pigmentation.