Skin Discoloration After Acne: What Causes It
When acne heals, it often leaves behind dark spots or red marks on the skin. These are not scars that change the skin’s texture. Instead, they are areas of uneven color caused by the skin’s healing process.
The main cause starts with inflammation from acne. Acne pimples, especially deep or cystic ones, irritate the skin deeply. This triggers special cells called melanocytes to produce extra melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Melanin acts like a shield against damage, but too much of it creates dark patches known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH. Lighter skin tones might show pink or red marks from post-inflammatory erythema, or PIE, which comes from widened blood vessels under the skin.
People with medium to darker skin, like Fitzpatrick types III to VI, are more prone to PIH. Up to 65 percent of them get these spots after acne, compared to just 18 percent with lighter skin. The worse the inflammation, the darker and more stubborn the spots become.
Sun exposure makes it worse. UV rays from the sun boost melanin production even more, turning temporary marks into lasting discoloration. Picking or squeezing pimples adds extra injury, which ramps up the inflammation and melanin response.
Genetics play a role too. Some people heal with more pigment changes due to family traits or how their skin reacts to irritation. Hormones or certain medications can contribute in some cases, though acne inflammation is the key trigger here.
Using harsh products on active acne can drag out the inflammation, leading to longer-lasting color issues. The skin’s natural repair signals, like increased blood flow and immune activity, aim to fix the damage but sometimes overdo the pigment.
Sources
https://worldofasaya.com/blogs/acne/post-acne-hyperpigmentation-your-complete-guide
https://www.kins-clinic.com/blogs/post-inflammatory-erythema-from-acne-a-guide-to-causes-and-treatments
https://www.kavimd.com/how-to-get-rid-of-brown-spots-on-your-skin-top-treatments
https://www.atlantaskinandaesthetics.com/hyperpigmentation/
https://www.atlantacenterfordermatology.com/hyperpigmentation/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro1j61PZYKQ
https://consciouschemist.com/blogs/good-skin-blog/how-to-treat-acne-without-dark-marks-or-scars
https://rejuvadermatology.com/conditions/acne-scars-in-venice-fl/
