Do acne scars go away over time?

Is it an acne mark or an acne scar?

The difference is colour versus texture. Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation means extra pigment left after inflammation, such as a pimple. A depressed scar, also called an atrophic scar, is an indentation in the skin. Raised scars contain excess scar tissue. You can have discolouration and a textured scar in the same place, so fading the colour does not necessarily remove the indentation.345

There is no single countdown for everything called an acne scar. Dark marks can remain for years, including after mild acne, while a permanent pit will not fill itself simply because enough months have passed. The 6 to 12 month fading window applies to relatively shallow dark marks after the trigger has stopped, not to every mark from the day a pimple appears.14

What can you do while marks fade?

1. 1Treat ongoing acne first. New breakouts can leave new marks, and early treatment of inflamed acne helps prevent scarring.
2. 2Avoid picking or popping pimples. The extra injury can leave permanent scars.
3. 3Apply sunscreen before going outside. For dark marks, choose tinted sunscreen containing iron oxide, SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum protection and water resistance. Reapply every two hours outdoors and after swimming or sweating.
4. 4Use gentle skincare and stop a product that burns or stings. Irritation can trigger more dark marks.

Can retinol or a scar cream help?

Retinol can help prevent clogged pores and further breakouts, and can lighten dark spots over months. It does not reliably correct severe sunken or raised scars. If you choose retinol, patch test first, follow the package directions and start slowly at bedtime. General application guidance is a pea sized amount in a thin layer after gentle cleansing and drying, followed by a moisturizer that does not clog pores.6

Retinol can cause dryness, peeling and irritation, and sensitive skin needs particular care. Use sunscreen during treatment. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak with your healthcare provider before using retinol.6

A product called a scar cream still needs to match the type of scar, because the name on the jar is not a treatment plan. Silicone gel or sheets can help raised scars; research on scar products containing onion extract or vitamins A and E is limited.7

When is treatment worth considering?

Treatment aims to make scars less noticeable, not erase them, which is a less exciting promise and a more useful one. For pitted scars, options include lasers, skin needling, fillers and procedures that remove individual scars. Raised scars need a different approach, such as silicone or injections. Several sessions or a combination of procedures are often needed; the right choice depends on the scar's shape, depth and your goals.357

See a dermatologist if scars bother you, hurt or itch, or if dark marks are not improving with treatment. Before a procedure, discuss active acne, current or recent isotretinoin use and any history of raised scars. Darker skin has a higher risk of pigment changes with many resurfacing procedures, so treatment selection matters.157