How to Get Rid of Red Acne Scars

The marks left by acne can be quite frustrating. You've managed to treat the acne, but now you're dealing with a variety of blemishes on your skin, including scars! However, you don't have to live with the remnants of acne forever. To tackle this issue, follow the steps below.

Check if it’s a red mark or a scar. While the term “acne scar” is often used for any blemish caused by acne, it actually refers to a specific condition. Acne scars are permanent, raised or indented marks left by acne, caused by various factors. On the other hand, red marks are not permanent. You may have both types on your skin.

• Scars can be hypertrophic, raised above the skin surface, keloidal—resulting from excessive skin tissue growth, or atrophic—forming pits in the skin. Each type has different subtypes. You’ll need a dermatologist to treat scars.
• Temporary red or brown marks left by acne are often referred to by dermatologists as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. These marks usually fade after 3-6 months, but you can speed up the process with the methods described below.

Clear the acne. Before you begin treatment, it’s crucial to clear the acne. This ensures that your efforts won’t be in vain. Additionally, the presence of acne means your skin is inflamed, which will definitely reduce the effectiveness of your treatment.

Protect your skin with sunscreen. Your skin will heal faster if it’s not damaged by the sun. Although sunscreen doesn’t directly help you get rid of acne marks, sunlight will make the red scars more visible, so always remember to protect your skin.

• Make sure to choose a sunscreen that won’t clog pores (which can cause more breakouts).

Apply products containing benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide not only treats existing acne but also helps reduce dark spots that may remain after acne heals. You can use benzoyl peroxide in face washes, toners, gels, and topical treatments.

Take care of your skin with salicylic acid. Salicylic acid helps reduce redness, size, and pores around acne marks. You can find this ingredient in face washes, toners, and other skincare products. It may even help prevent future breakouts.

Using brightening serums to treat dark spots. This method may not be effective on pink or red spots (as these are caused by irritation and do not affect melanin pigmentation in the skin), but for dark spots, you can use brightening serums to reverse hyperpigmentation.

Using hydroquinone. Although it is not as commonly used as before, hydroquinone remains a popular skin-brightening chemical available in both prescription and over-the-counter concentrations. You may apply it twice a day for a period (consult a doctor) to brighten dark spots.

• You should only use three treatment cycles of skin-brightening products to fade dark spots. Prolonged use could result in your skin turning permanently gray.
• Brightening products can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight, potentially leading to premature aging. Always apply sunscreen when using these products, even on cloudy days.

Try manual exfoliation methods first. Depending on how your skin feels, you may prefer physical or chemical exfoliation. Manual exfoliation involves mechanical scrubbing.

• You can use a warm towel, baking soda, or specially designed exfoliating products like facial brushes or any tool that can scrub your skin.
• Although physical exfoliation is a natural method, be careful not to irritate your skin, as these materials can be abrasive.

Try using chemical exfoliants if the manual method does not work. There are several types of chemical exfoliants, with the two most common and effective being BHA and retinoids.

• BHA exfoliants, which contain salicylic acid, penetrate deep into the pores to dissolve dirt and remove dead skin. Acne-related dark spots will fade faster, and you may also experience fewer breakouts.
• Retinoid creams can accelerate the natural process of skin cell turnover, helping to eliminate discolored skin cells. These products will increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun, so be sure to apply them at night only.

Use an exfoliating product every morning and night. Make sure to choose a mild one (to avoid further irritation), and apply it to your skin using either mechanical methods or chemical exfoliants each morning. At night, apply a retinoid cream for optimal results.

Explore other treatment options in depth. Consult with a dermatologist about other treatments if your acne scars don't respond to the above methods, and if you don't want to wait for them to fade naturally. Alternatively, if you suspect these marks are actual acne scars.

Ask your doctor about chemical peeling methods. These chemicals work similarly to retinoids by applying acids to your skin, which helps alter pigmentation by stimulating new skin cells to form and replace the darkened outer layer.

• In addition to stronger peeling products, there are over-the-counter and at-home peels, but it's best to consult a doctor before using any peeling products.

Learn about laser treatment options. This method may cause redness on your skin for a period, potentially lasting up to a year. Proper aftercare is essential to prevent infection post-treatment.

• Laser treatments are typically expensive, with average costs exceeding $2,000. Furthermore, this is considered an aesthetic procedure, meaning it's usually not covered by insurance.
• Opt for non-invasive laser treatments. Invasive options are typically reserved for scar treatment, not for dealing with red spots.

Consider using dermabrasion techniques to treat small blemishes on the skin. This method, which has been largely replaced by laser treatments, is still occasionally used for minor spots. Once the skin is numbed, a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist will employ a rotating wire brush to remove the top layer of the skin.

• This method has an abrasive effect on the skin, and new skin will form where the old skin was removed. Due to its high abrasiveness, it is best reserved for small blemishes.

Consider high-intensity pulsed light (IPL) therapy as an alternative treatment. This method is gradually replacing laser treatments because it poses fewer risks of skin damage. A dermatologist will perform IPL to regenerate new skin without harming the outermost layers. Acne scars will fade with this treatment.

• IPL is also used for other purposes, such as reducing wrinkles and facial hair removal.

Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet. Alongside topical treatments, a healthy diet featuring anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce acne-related inflammation. This may lessen the size and intensity of acne scars.

• Examples of anti-inflammatory foods include leafy greens, fish, and walnuts.

Use antioxidants to calm skin irritated by acne. While they may not completely eliminate acne scars, antioxidants are effective in reducing skin irritation that can lead to red spots. There are three primary ways to use antioxidants.

Use topical antioxidants. Skincare products, especially creams with antioxidant ingredients, can be applied directly to the skin to soothe irritated areas. Look for effective antioxidants in creams such as kojic acid and licorice root.

Consider natural skin brightening products. There are various natural methods to lighten dark spots on the skin. Creams containing kojic acid (derived from mushroom extract), arbutin (or bilberry extract), and vitamin C are great options.

• You can even apply fresh lemon juice directly to the skin. Lemon juice acts as a natural brightening agent, which can help fade red spots left by acne.

Take dietary supplements. Some supplements, such as vitamins A and C, can provide antioxidants if you're deficient and need to supplement, or if you're having trouble incorporating antioxidants into your daily diet.

• However, avoid excessive antioxidant consumption. Many believe you can't have too many antioxidants, but recent research shows that too much can actually negate their effectiveness.

• Don’t delay acne treatment. When treated early, red spots are less likely to turn into permanent acne scars.
• Be patient; the red spots will gradually fade.
• There are many home remedies for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation available online, such as lemon juice, baking soda, and tomato juice. Be sure to research thoroughly before trying them, and consulting a doctor is always advisable.
• Perhaps the best "treatment" for acne scars is self-acceptance, self-love, and having a positive outlook on your body. You are still okay, still beautiful, and a fully valuable person despite the red spots on your face.