Acne Scars vs Acne Marks: What's the Difference & How to Treat Them

Acne alone causes a lot of trouble, but the changes it leaves in skin texture and looks stay for a long time. These lingering spots can often be more noticeable and frustrating than the acne itself. The biggest challenge is that not every acne mark that is left behind is the same. While some marks gradually fade on their own, others can linger for months before becoming less noticeable.

So, firstly, shift your focus to understanding, What is the difference between acne marks and acne scars ? This will enable you to choose products that are designed to deal with the problem.

What Are Acne Marks?

Acne marks are pigmented discolorations that are left behind after a pimple has healed. Acne marks do not involve any change in the skin’s texture. These are caused by inflammation that affected the skin’s pigment and blood vessels temporarily during the healing process.

You may notice:

• Brown or dark marks that appear after inflammation, especially on medium to deeper skin tones.

• Pink or red marks are more common on lighter skin tones and tend to fade gradually over time.

Acne marks are temporary and disappear over time. By following a consistent skincare routine with sunscreen, the acne marks will lighten and become less noticeable in a few weeks, depending on the severity of the breakout and your skin type.

What Are Acne Scars?

Acne scars can form when inflammation damages the deeper layers of the skin, affecting how the tissue heals. This happens because, when healing, the body may produce too much or too little collagen, which leaves scars that damage the skin permanently.

The acne scars are not pigmented or discolored. These are visible depressions or raised areas that you can sometimes feel when running your fingers on your face.

A research that was conducted by the National Library of Medicine has shown that approx 80-90% of acne scars are atrophic, which means that they are caused by collagen loss. The remaining ones are hypertrophic or keloid scars, which are caused by excess scar tissue production.

Some common types include:

• Ice pick scars: These are small and narrow, deep scars that penetrate deeper into the skin, creating a little hole in it. They generally form following severe inflammatory acne and are one of the hardest types of scars to treat, due to their depth. 

• Boxcar scars: Boxcar scars are round or oval shaped, have clear margins, and are flat on the bottom. They tend to be wider than ice pick scars and are formed when the skin becomes damaged during the healing phase of moderate to severe acne. 

• Rolling scars: These scars create broad, shallow depressions with gently sloping edges, giving the skin an uneven or wavy appearance. They develop when fibrous bands form beneath the skin, pulling the surface downward and creating visible texture.

• Hypertrophic and keloid scars: These are raised scars that form when the skin produces excess collagen in skin during the healing process. Keloid scars can grow past the original pimple area and are more prevalent on the back, jawline, shoulders, and chest, while hypertrophic scars stay in the original acne area. 

These are the pimple scars that usually require more than basic skincare to improve.

The Major Difference: Acne Marks vs Acne Scars

Although they often appear after the same breakout, acne marks and acne scars are different skin conditions. The easiest way to tell them apart is by looking at their appearance and texture. 

How to Treat Acne Marks

The purpose is to encourage cell turnover, minimize excess pigmentation, and prevent further damage to the skin from acne marks.

Niacinamide, Vitamin C, soothing exfoliating acids, and azelaic acid are some ingredients that are highly suggested due to their ability to brighten the dull complexion that can appear after acne to even out the appearance of the skin.

A basic routine may include:

• Always start your skincare routine with a gentle cleanser that is suitable for your skin type.

• Follow with a niacinamide serum to improve the appearance of post-acne marks and strengthen the skin barrier.

• Lock in moisture with a moisturizer with Zinc PCA, as it will hydrate the skin and control excess oil production.

• Use a sunscreen for lightweight daily protection from the sun, as it fits easily into a routine.

It's better to follow a basic skincare routine consistently rather than changing your routine often. The results are typically seen over time and not in a single day. 

How to Treat Acne Scars

Acne scars are harder to treat, as they are structural changes under the skin's surface. While skincare cannot completely erase established scars, it can support skin renewal, improve the appearance of uneven texture, and work alongside professional treatments.

Skin renewing ingredients, including peptides, regenerative technology and retinol, can help to enhance the skin's appearance over time.

PEP Booster serum with Phyto PDRN, Twin Exosomes and an Octa Peptide Complex for the skin's natural healing process. It can help to improve the appearance of skin when paired with the Retinol Night Cream to help promote skin renewal gradually.

Dermatological treatments like microneedling, laser resurfacing, subcision, or chemical peel can be suggested for deeper or more permanent scars, since they stimulate collagen remodelling under the skin. 

The Bottom Line

Acne scaring and acne marks can happen from the same acne breakout, but it is not the same. Marks are color changes and typically fade over time, whereas scars are permanent changes in the texture of the skin due to injury to the deeper layers of skin.

Identifying which one you have helps you to know what to expect and select the products that will suit your skin. Treating your acne early, not picking or squeezing pimples, and having a skincare routine will help minimize the likelihood of long-term marks and scarring.

Patience is equally important. The skin is able to heal over time, and continuous attention can yield better results than swapping products and hoping for fast results. 

FAQs on Acne Marks vs Acne Scars

1. How to tell if I have acne scars or acne marks?

Ans. Acne marks are flat spots that are discolored, and acne scars change the texture of the skin, forming depressions or raised areas. When you can detect unevenness when touching your skin, it is more likely that you are suffering from acne scars.

2. Will acne scars clear up on their own?

Ans. Yes, acne marks will fade over time as skin heals. Some products such as niacinamide, vitamin C, and sunscreen daily can accelerate this process and stop the marks from getting darker.

3. Is it possible to get rid of acne scarring with skincare products?

Ans. While skincare can help improve the look of mild acne scars, deep scars may need professional treatments like microneedling, laser resurfacing, or chemical peels to get a more significant result.

4. What is the reason for acne scars?

Ans. Scars from acne result from inflammation that reaches the deeper skin layers. While healing, the body can either produce more or less collagen, which leads to either depressed or raised scars.

5. Are there ways to minimize the appearance of scars and marks in the future?

Ans. Yes. Early acne treatment, not picking or squeezing pimples, and a good skincare routine can minimize the likelihood of acne marks or acne scarring.