Why do acne leave red spots? (English)

The problem of skin rashes can be relevant for both adolescents and adults. The causes of the disease are most often hormonal imbalance, poor nutrition, and poor-quality cosmetics. All this can lead to acne on the skin.

Today, the Internet and magazines are filled with information about ways to get rid of skin rashes. Many people use these methods and are successfully cured, but then they encounter another problem - dark marks remain in place of the acne.

This is a fairly common illness. The rashes disappear, but the spots remain for a long time. They can be pink, reddish, blue, purple and look as unattractive as pimples. Most often, marks appear if acne treatment is delayed. It is quite possible to prevent the appearance of spots, but if it doesn’t work out, don’t be upset, because pigmentation is not scars. You can get rid of stains quite quickly and easily.

Why do acne marks remain?

Spots on the site of former acne are formed due to the accumulation of melanin pigment. It is also called dark pigment. This usually happens with severe inflammation, which is why you should not start the disease.

However, there are various visible traces of past inflammation:

1. Red and even slightly blue spots from acne are a temporary phenomenon on your skin. They are quite easy to treat, and sometimes they go away on their own.

2. Dark blue and purple spots are a more serious case. They appear when the inflammatory process has penetrated deep into the skin. They usually have a very intense color and can therefore be difficult to hide. Removing such pigmentation will take much more time and effort.

3. Acne marks. If the treatment is successful, then immediately after it the area under the skin may be colored pinkish or bluish for some time. Then it goes away. However, the danger of deep acne also lies in the fact that these pimples leave deep scars. Getting rid of them can be very difficult, and the help of a specialist cosmetologist is required to carry out deep peeling procedures.

The most common reason for the formation of spots on the skin is poor-quality acne treatment. For example, if the skin was not thoroughly disinfected or if the treatment was started for a long time.

Another common reason for the formation of acne marks is the addiction to squeezing out pimples on your own. This leads to damage to the tissue around the pimple and the development of an infectious process. In addition, there is a high risk of infection in the wound. All cosmetologists completely prohibit squeezing out inflammation on your own. If you do not want stains to form, do not touch the inflamed areas with your hands, treat them with special disinfectants and do not delay treatment. Measures must be taken in a timely manner.

Acne Spot Remedies

If you still cannot avoid marks on your skin after treatment, there are ways to remove them. You shouldn’t delay this, because spots on the face look just as unattractive as pimples, and cause no less discomfort.

There are several ways to cure stains - medical, cosmetic and folk. All of them are almost equally effective; you can find many positive reviews about each method. To choose the method that suits you, you need to study each in detail.

Before telling you about each method of treating stains, here are a few important and mandatory rules:

You can’t squeeze out pimples yourself;
any product should be applied to clean and dry skin;
It is better to treat spots in summer or autumn, because cosmetics often dry and weaken the skin. In winter and spring, she is already exposed to strong environmental influences and is deprived of sufficient nutrition;
During treatment, it is recommended not to be exposed to long-term ultraviolet rays, that is, spend as little time as possible in the sun and not visit the solarium;
During the treatment period, you need to take vitamin C, because it improves the balance of nutrients in the skin;
Proper nutrition will make treatment faster and more effective.

Face blemish cream

Today, there are many modern medical ways to remove acne marks. One of them is to fight pigment with a lightening cream. Among them the most popular:

1. Lightening creams. They are prepared on the basis of hydroquinone - this substance has a powerful whitening effect. However, it is worth remembering that such creams should be used sparingly. With continued use, they may increase the risk of developing skin cancer. In addition, experts do not recommend using retinoid ointment and other preparations with retinoids (this is an analogue of vitamin A) simultaneously with lightening creams.

2. Alpha and beta (water-soluble and fat-soluble) hydroacids. They have an exfoliating effect. These include glycolic, lactic, citric and salicylic acids.

3. Azelaic acid. It is included in the drug Skinoren-gel. This ointment is used as prescribed by a doctor for juvenile and hormonal inflammation - acne. They do not treat ordinary inflammations.

4. Substances that suppress melanin production are kojic acid, magnesium ascorbyl-2-phosphate, arbutin. They can be combined with each other.

Cosmetological treatment

Modern cosmetology offers a number of products that can effectively get rid of stains. It is worth noting that cosmetic preparations for acne (lotions, washing gels) have no effect in the fight against pigmentation. There are other options for this - special procedures that are carried out in many cosmetology clinics:

1. Microcurrent therapy and fractional photothermolysis. These procedures provide a healing effect for the skin, accelerate metabolic processes, cell renewal and tissue regeneration. They also increase the amount of collagen and elastin produced. This helps to even out the surface of the skin and its color.

2. Chemical peeling. It must be carried out using triacetic acid. You can use glycolic acid 20–70%. For the best effect, you need to combine chemical peeling and taking retinoids - an analogue of vitamin A. For example, Diaknel cream contains both acids and retinoids.

3. Laser resurfacing or dermabrasion. Since the appearance of dark spots is often due to abnormal skin pigmentation, you can use natural lightening masks. They are easy to make at home. Please note that home treatment is only possible to remove acne marks, but is not applicable if scars remain. In the latter case, you need to contact specialists.

Folk remedies for acne spots

Effective for removing unpleasant stains:

1. Masks with green clay.

You can add a couple of drops of rosemary essential oil to them.

How to make a mask:

Take a tablespoon of powdered green clay, add a little rosemary oil and dilute with cool water. Knead until creamy. Apply it onto the spots and wait 15 minutes. In addition, you can separately lubricate the marks with rosemary oil two to three times a day. But it is worth remembering that the oil has a strong invigorating property and can affect blood pressure.

2. Brightening mask with egg.

Separate the white of one egg from the yolk. Pour 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice into the egg whites and mix well. Apply the mask with a cotton swab to each dark spot. Wait 15 minutes and wash your face. To brighten your face, use a cotton pad to apply the mask all over your face and neck.

3. White clay mask.

Clay has excellent drying properties, and therefore serves as an excellent prevention of new inflammations. Mix a tablespoon of powdered white clay with two teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Add a little water to make a fairly viscous mass. Apply it to the stains, leave for 15 minutes and wash with warm water. This mask can also brighten the entire face and neck.

4. Tomato mask.

Remove the skin from the tomato by keeping it in boiling water for several minutes, crush the pulp and mix with a teaspoon of starch. Apply the mask to dark spots and wait 15 minutes, then rinse off.
— Fresh cucumber juice is good for lightening the skin. This method is also popular because it is very simple. You just need to wipe the dark spots with freshly squeezed cucumber juice or just slices of juicy cucumber throughout the day.

5. Honey mask.

It is known that honey is a common ingredient in face masks. To lighten your skin, mix a teaspoon of honey and cinnamon. The resulting mass should be applied to problem areas on the skin and kept for 25 minutes. It is better to rinse off with warm water so that the skin does not remain sticky after the honey. In this recipe, you can use green or white clay instead of honey and add a little water to make a thick mass.

It is important to remember that the honey-cinnamon and clay-cinnamon mask should be done only once every two days, not more often. In addition, this mask is not advisable for people with vascular diseases, for example, rosacea.

6. Tea tree oil is effective for removing acne marks.

It is usually mixed in equal proportions with freshly squeezed lemon juice or lavender oil. This mixture should be used to wipe pigmented areas. Be careful: in concentrated form the oil burns the skin and mucous membranes.

7. It is recommended to wipe acne marks with garlic or parsley decoction, calendula tincture.

Decoctions and tinctures can be frozen in the freezer in the form of squares and wiped over the skin. This will make the procedure simple and quick. To prepare a parsley decoction, pour boiling water (200 milliliters) over a chopped bunch of parsley, cover with a lid and leave to cool. When the broth reaches room temperature, it can be used.

8. Cosmetic paraffin is called one of the most effective remedies for age spots.

You can buy it at any pharmacy. Melt the paraffin on a burner over low heat or in a water bath. Using a cotton swab, apply warm (not hot) paraffin to each spot. After some time, the paraffin will harden directly on the face and can be carefully removed. There is no need to pull it off sharply so as not to damage the skin.

You can use this product two to three times a day, but before the procedure it is better to treat the skin with fatty creams with the addition of vitamins A and E. This method also has contraindications - if there is a vascular network on the face, it is better to avoid paraffin.

9. Mask with natural apple cider vinegar.

It can also be bought in pharmacies. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a third of a glass of clean water. Wipe your face or only dark spots with this solution every morning.

How long does it take to get rid of stains?

This question cannot be answered unambiguously. How long it will take you to completely remove the stains depends on several factors. These include your skin type, its ability to regenerate, the quality of the medications you used to treat your acne, how deep the inflammation was, lifestyle and diet. The skin is a full-fledged organ of our body, and its health is directly related to the quality of life we lead. It's no secret that the skin of people who smoke and drink is much weaker than those who have given up bad habits.

The time it takes to remove stains also depends on the cause of their appearance. If marks remain after squeezing pimples or frequent mechanical cleansing of the face, they may disappear within a period of a couple of days to several weeks.

Deep and intense acne spots take longer to remove. Peeling and resurfacing procedures can take several months or even six months.

Some spots are small, light pink or reddish in color, and will most likely go away on their own within a day or two.

As we said earlier, the speed at which stains are removed depends on the skin type and the severity of the problem. Let us remind you that it is best to prevent spots from appearing and treat acne correctly and on time.

Those with problem skin have two ways to do this:

- Regularly use cosmetic products - Zinerit, Differin and others. True, they do not remove the cause of acne, but rather fight the consequences. The effect will be short-term, and you will still have to hide problem skin under foundation.

— Another option, more effective, is peelings, ultrasound facial cleansing, ozone therapy. But such procedures are expensive and require regular implementation. In addition, after them the skin needs special care and takes a long time to recover. But, if you still decide to get involved in cosmetology, contact only specialized clinics so as not to become a victim of poor-quality treatment.

Suffering from skin imperfections is no longer considered a purely aesthetic and psychological problem. When spots remain after acne, this may be evidence of disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and the endocrine system. Therefore, getting rid of the defect should not be the only goal of the procedures. It is necessary to help the skin cope with the negative effects of processes that provoke hyperpigmentation.

What therapy methods get rid of acne marks?

The appearance of acne spots on the face and body skin is associated with increased pigment synthesis, which is characteristic of the post-inflammatory process. If spots remain after acne on the face, then this is a temporary phenomenon. Timely treatment of rashes and hyperpigmentation leads to complete cleansing of the skin. Professional cosmetology procedures, special means of official and alternative medicine contribute to its improvement.

What changes should occur in damaged skin after acne heals:

improvement of microcirculation and metabolic processes to eliminate residual effects;

regeneration in place of cells and tissues damaged by inflammation;

production of collagen, which gives the dermis elasticity and strength;

normalization of the sebaceous glands;

leveling the surface and tone.

Professional cosmetologists develop a set of measures to improve skin health. When spots remain after acne, you should find out from specialists how to get rid of them. They offer a variety of treatments, including:

Physiotherapeutic procedures (the simplest is a paraffin mask).

Mechanical and physical dermabrasion (skin resurfacing).

Chemical exfoliation or peeling.

What role do peeling and mesotherapy play in treating acne spots?

During peeling, the substances that hold the horny scales of the upper layer of skin together are destroyed, even the epidermal cells themselves dissolve. This cleansing is important if acne leaves dark spots and roughness. Peeling is carried out using organic acids in various concentrations. After this procedure, a layer of new cells that are not affected by inflammation grows. Cosmetologists everywhere refuse to use phenol for exfoliation, preferring lactic, tartaric, glycolic, malic, and citric acids with a concentration of up to 70%.

Mesotherapy helps improve nutrition of the dermal layer. Experts explain why acne leaves dark spots on the skin. The inflammatory process disrupts biochemical processes and tissue trophism. Injected subcutaneously, “beauty cocktails” help restore the full synthesis of collagen and elastin fibers and saturate the intercellular space with hyaluronic acid. As a result, the skin takes on a healthy appearance, pigment spots and irregularities disappear.

How to treat acne spots at home?

After the elements of acne heal, problems of a different kind arise. Often there are red spots after acne that do not go away for months. To get rid of defects in appearance, you need to prepare cosmetic ice from a decoction of parsley and chamomile, and wipe problem areas of the face and neck with it every day. Before this useful home procedure, you can apply olive or other vegetable oil to your skin. Then lightly massage the affected areas with an ice cube. The result is improved blood circulation in the dermis and excellent hydration of the top layer.

Squeezing out acne and improper treatment is why red spots remain on the skin after acne. Masks, for example, with honey, cinnamon, yogurt, egg white, and lemon juice will help make them less noticeable. These products are not inferior to branded cosmetics in a number of properties: they relieve inflammation, lighten stagnant spots, and smooth the skin. A popular remedy for treating hyperpigmentation from acne is cucumber, as well as lotion, toner and mask made from the fruit of this vegetable plant.

10 useful tips for maintaining healthy and beautiful skin

What to do if spots remain after acne:

Eliminate the causes that provoke the formation of acne, treat diseases of the internal organs.

Eat foods rich in vitamins and antioxidants, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

In your diet, limit the consumption of milk, refined carbohydrates, hydrogenated fats, fried foods, and fatty meats.

Apply raw egg white to the affected area several times a day and at night.

Apply aloe vera leaves cut lengthwise or their juice to problem areas.

Use cucumber juice to moisturize, lighten the skin, and eliminate excess oil in the epidermis.

In the evening, before going to bed, apply castor oil to dark spots. You can wash your face in the morning.

Make a daily mask of yogurt and lemon juice - natural face whiteners.

Remember that skin health depends entirely on the condition of the body, lifestyle, and hygiene.

Avoid stress, use relaxation methods for prevention.

Amina Pirmanova / article author

Untimely treatment of acne can lead to the appearance of red spots. Also, the cause of this problem is often the squeezing of acne. To eliminate the problem, you should consult with an experienced dermatologist.

The specialist will recommend effective medications and cosmetic procedures. To increase the effectiveness of these methods, you can use effective folk recipes.

Causes

The appearance of red spots can be caused by various factors:

Incorrect or untimely treatment of acne. If proper skin care is not provided in time and measures are not taken to eliminate acne, the inflammatory process will become advanced.
Self-squeezing pimples. Violating the rules of sterility during this procedure or using the wrong technique to perform it is guaranteed to lead to red spots.
Severe forms of acne. If acne is present on the skin for more than 2 weeks, there is a risk of damage to the deep layers of the epithelium.

All these factors cause unsightly spots to form on the skin. Their occurrence may be related to the color of the dermis, the time of year and the characteristics of the body.

Pharmacy products

To remove red spots from acne, you should consult a qualified dermatologist. The specialist will assess the condition of the skin and select effective pharmaceutical preparations.

Heparin ointment

This substance allows you to cope with inflammation and ensures the healing of scar defects after acne. Before application, the skin should be wiped with alcohol.

The drug contains the following components:

benzocaine – relieves pain and copes with vascular spasms;
heparin sodium – allows you to cope with inflammation and swelling;
benzyl nicotinate – dilates blood vessels and facilitates the penetration of heparin into the layers of the dermis.

Heparin ointment should be applied in a thin layer to the skin. This should be done twice a day. After 7 days, the spots should become lighter. When using the product, decorative cosmetics should be excluded.

Ichthyol ointment

The main substance of the product is ichthyol. This component is obtained from resin. With the help of the medicine it is possible to cope with pimples, blackheads and post-acne. The substance draws out purulent contents from pores, promotes the dissolution of comedones, and ensures the healing of scars and wounds.

It is recommended to apply the ointment in the evening. It is applied pointwise, treating only the affected areas. It is recommended to apply the composition for 2 hours.

Panthenol

This substance can be purchased at every pharmacy. It perfectly improves the condition of the skin. The unique properties of panthenol are explained by its composition. The active ingredient of the substance is provitamin B5.

This component takes an active part in cellular metabolism and promotes skin regeneration. Thanks to the use of panthenol, it is possible to activate blood circulation, restore cells, and prevent the appearance of scars.

Contractubex

This is one of the most effective acne remedies, which helps speed up skin recovery and makes scarring less pronounced. With the help of this gel it is possible to cope with the feeling of itching, redness, and a feeling of tightness of the skin.

Treatment should begin immediately after acne is eliminated, before the scars become old. The medicine should be applied to the affected areas of the skin and distributed with light movements.

The substance easily penetrates the skin and leaves a film on it. It helps protect the dermis from bacteria. The drug contains sodium heparin, onion extract, allantoin and many other ingredients.

Zinc ointment

This medicine successfully copes with post-acne. The active component of the drug is zinc oxide. This substance has antiseptic and astringent properties. In addition, it perfectly dries the dermis.

Zinc perfectly renews cells. It also has a brightening and rejuvenating effect on the skin. The substance is applied to red spots three times a day. The drug does not require rinsing.

How to choose vitamins for acne? The answer is here.

Levomekol

This medicine has pronounced antibacterial characteristics and successfully copes with inflammatory processes. The main components of the substance are chloramphenicol and methyluracil.

The drug helps to achieve an anti-inflammatory effect, cleanse the dermis of purulent masses and start regeneration processes. The medicine also makes the complexion more even and copes with redness.

To eliminate inflammation, you need to soak a cotton pad in the product and apply it to the affected areas for 20 minutes. It is worth considering that Levomekol should not be used for too long, as addiction may develop.

Salicylic ointment

This remedy is actively used to combat red spots that form after acne. The drug exfoliates dead skin particles and has a brightening effect.

When choosing a product, it is worth considering that it must contain at least 5% salicylic acid. This product is perfect for people with sensitive skin.

Cosmetology

To cope with red spots after acne, you can use effective cosmetic procedures:

Ozone therapy. During the session, a mixture of ozone and oxygen is injected under the skin. Thanks to this, it is possible to activate the process of cell regeneration. In addition, the procedure reduces the number of acne lesions and prevents the appearance of new ones.
Mesotherapy. During the procedure, subcutaneous injections of medications are performed. The drug may contain vitamins, antibiotics, and biostimulants.
Peels. Using this technique, it is possible to get rid of the surface layer of the dermis. This provides easy access to the deep layers of the epithelium. There are several types of procedures - chemical, laser, mechanical peeling.

How to clean at home

To cope with red spots yourself, you can use effective folk recipes. To do this, it is worth using effective masks with essential oils, herbal decoctions, and food products.

Mask

To get rid of red spots that remain on the skin after acne, you should use the following recipes:

Mix 2 small spoons of white or green clay with 1 spoon of badyagi powder. Add a few drops of rosemary essential oil and the same amount of salicylic acid to the composition.
Take egg white and mix with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. The resulting composition should be applied to the skin for a quarter of an hour. In this case, you can treat the entire face or only the area where the spots are localized.
Take 1 small spoon of white clay, add a couple of teaspoons of lemon juice and a little water to get a paste consistency. The resulting composition can be used to treat the entire face or only the affected areas. The mask should be kept on for 10-15 minutes.
Take special cosmetic paraffin and melt it in a steam bath. Then use a cotton swab to apply to the area where the red spots are located. The skin should be lubricated with cream first. Once the paraffin has hardened, it can be removed.
Take a tomato or cucumber and grind it to a paste. After this, add 1 small spoon of starch. Apply to face every day and leave for 15 minutes.
Mix red currant puree with sour grapes in a 2:1 ratio. Apply the finished composition to the face for 20 minutes. The product has pronounced whitening properties.

Tea tree oil

To eliminate red spots that appear on the skin after acne, you should wipe your face with tea tree oil.

This product can be used in its pure form or mixed with lemon juice. In the second case, the ingredients are taken in equal parts.

To achieve good results, the procedure must be performed 2-3 times a day. It is recommended to do this for 2 weeks.

Badyaga

This remedy eliminates the effects of acne in a short time. The powder can be purchased at any pharmacy.

To get a healthy mask, you need to take 1 tablespoon of badyagi and mix with 2 tablespoons of warm boiled water.

It is recommended to apply the finished product to the face twice a week. Keep the mask on for 20-30 minutes. The substance improves microcirculation in the skin, therefore there is a risk of redness of the dermis.

Video: Useful information about treatment

What Helps Prevent Red Acne Spots?

To prevent the appearance of red spots after acne, you should follow these recommendations:

treat inflammation on the face in a timely manner;
Avoid squeezing out pimples on your own;
Apply a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 25 before each time you go outside.

Photo: Before and after

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Why do acne leave red spots?