Marks remaining after acne
Acne Marks
Related terms · Red marks · Brown marks · Acne traces
Acne marks primarily refer to flat red or brown traces left where acne has subsided. These are different from scars where the skin is indented or raised.
Overview
Acne marks: check these three things first
- Acne marks primarily refer to flat traces that remain red or brown where acne has subsided. They are different from scars where the skin is pitted or raised.
- If only the color appears to change depending on the light and the surface height is the same, it is likely a mark. If pitting or irregularities are visible under side-lighting, atrophic scars must also be examined.
- Please take photos from the front and side under the same lighting, and record separately how much new acne and existing marks increase or fade.
Meaning and Distinction
What are acne marks?
Red marks are those where vascular changes remain Post-inflammatory erythema, while brown marks are often closer to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation where pigment has increased. Both can be mixed on a single face. Acne marks primarily refer to flat traces that remain red or brown where acne has subsided. They are different from scars where the skin is pitted or raised.
- Easily confused terms
- If only the color appears to change depending on the light and the surface height is the same, it is likely a mark. If pitting or irregularities are visible under side-lighting, atrophic scars must also be examined.
- Why this is checked during medical evaluation
- The treatment order is determined by dividing whether new acne continues to appear, the color and duration of the marks, and whether actual pitting exists. If there is a lot of new inflammation, rather than treating the marks, Recurrencereducing the inflammation may come first.
- Information to prepare for your visit
- Please take photos from the front and side under the same lighting, and record separately how much new acne and existing marks increase or fade.
More details
Connecting acne marks to my symptoms
First, distinguish between red marks, brown marks, and pitted scars
Flat marks where only color remains and scars where the skin level has changed require different treatment methods and time. Taking photos of the front and side under the same lighting helps in distinguishing them.
If new acne continues to appear, prioritize reducing recurrence over treating marks
Even while receiving treatment for marks, new deep inflammation can increase the number of traces. The order of treatment is determined by separating current inflammation, new marks, and old scars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions when looking into acne marks
Is a diagnosis determined solely by the term 'acne marks'?
If only the color appears to change depending on the light and the surface height is the same, it is likely a mark. If pitting or irregularities are visible under side-lighting, atrophic scars must also be examined.
What should I write down before my medical evaluation regarding acne marks?
The treatment order is determined by dividing whether new acne continues to appear, the color and duration of the marks, and whether actual pitting exists. If there is a lot of new inflammation, reducing recurrence may come before treating the marks. Please take photos from the front and side under the same lighting, and record separately how much new acne and existing marks increase or fade.
Acne Glossary
Compare similar terms here
You can check simple definitions before proceeding to detailed explanations.Read More
Check guides where this term is used
- Condition GuidePost-acne red marksRed marks after acne may be post-inflammatory erythema, where vascular redness remains flat in areas where inflammation has subsided. You should check if the area is not raised or painful to the touch and whether the primary color is pink or red rather than brown. However, new papules or pustules, persistent redness across the entire face, or indented surface changes must be distinguished from active acne, rosacea, and scarring, respectively.→
- Condition GuidePost-acne hyperpigmentationPost-acne hyperpigmentation is a change where flat brown or grayish-brown spots remain due to increased melanin where inflammation once was. It differs from structural scars in that the skin surface is not indented or raised, and it is distinct from post-inflammatory erythema, which is primarily pink or red. These marks can become darker and last longer if UV exposure, friction, extraction, and new inflammation recur.→
- Medical Evaluation GuideIf acne reappears after improving during treatmentIf inflammation decreased during treatment but returned after stopping, it does not mean the previous treatment was a complete failure. Try to note what decreased and by how much, and which types of acne returned and how many weeks after pausing treatment. It is easier to determine the priority for the next treatment if you also examine whether maintenance therapy was needed, if the treatment was not used sufficiently due to irritation, or if the recurrence coincided with changes in menstruation, sleep, or digestion.→
- Medical Evaluation GuideRed marks, brown marks, and pitted scars: which should be managed first?→
Evidence and Update Information
The following materials were referenced to verify the basis and scope of the definitions and treatment descriptions.