Can PIE Turn Into Scars?
PIE stands for post-inflammatory erythema. It shows up as flat red, pink, or purple marks on the skin after acne or other inflammation goes away. These marks come from damaged or widened tiny blood vessels near the skin’s surface. They are not scars because the skin texture stays smooth and flat. You can check this with a simple test: press on the mark, and it turns white for a moment before the color comes back. This happens because pressure stops blood flow briefly in those vessels.
PIE often follows pimples, cysts, cuts, burns, or harsh skin treatments like peels or lasers. The body’s healing response during inflammation hurts the capillaries. People with lighter skin notice PIE more easily, but it can happen to anyone. Unlike dark spots from extra pigment, PIE is all about blood vessels, not color cells.
True scars form differently. They happen when deep skin layers get damaged, and the body makes too much or too little collagen during repair. This creates raised bumps or dents that change the skin’s feel. Acne scars need treatments that reach deep, like microneedling or lasers, because creams cannot fix that structural harm.
PIE itself does not turn into scars. It is a temporary mark from vessel damage, not a texture change. Picking or squeezing pimples can worsen things, though. That spreads bacteria, causes more swelling, and hurts vessels further, which might lead to real scars over time. Handle skin gently to avoid this risk. With time and care, PIE fades on its own as vessels heal. Treatments like anti-inflammatory creams or vessel-tightening lasers speed it up, but patience works best.
Sources
https://moawadskininstitute.com/post-inflammatory-erythema-cure/
https://www.kins-clinic.com/blogs/what-are-the-main-acne-scar-types-a-skin-friendly-guide-with-treatment-options
https://manhattanlaserspa.com/acne-scar-treatment-in-hallandale-beach-fl/
https://www.mederma.co.in/blog/types-of-scars-on-face/
