Acne Scars or Dark Marks? How to Tell the Difference
Your breakout is finally gone — but there’s still a mark exactly where the pimple used to be.
Is it an acne scar?
Not necessarily.
One of the most common acne misconceptions is that every mark left after a breakout is a scar. In reality, acne can leave several different types of marks, and knowing what you’re looking at matters because they are treated differently.
If It’s Flat, It May Not Be a Scar
Look at the area from the side.
Does the skin still feel completely smooth?
If the mark is flat but darker, redder, pinker, or more purple than the surrounding skin, you may be looking at post-inflammatory discoloration rather than a true acne scar.
These marks develop after inflammation and can remain visible even after the active breakout is gone.
They may gradually fade, although the process can take time.
What Does a True Acne Scar Look Like?
A true acne scar changes the texture of your skin.
Instead of simply seeing a different color, you may notice an indentation, depression, uneven surface, or sometimes a raised area.
Common depressed acne scars include:
Ice Pick Scars
Small, deep indentations that can look like tiny holes in the skin.
Boxcar Scars
Broader depressions with more defined edges.
Rolling Scars
Shallow depressions that create an uneven or wavy texture.
Because these involve structural changes in the skin, skincare alone cannot always correct them completely.
Why Picking Pimples Matters
Picking, squeezing, and scratching inflamed breakouts can increase trauma to the skin.
The deeper and more inflamed the acne is, the greater the risk of scarring.
That is one reason controlling active acne is so important: preventing the next scar can be easier than trying to correct an established one.
What About Red or Brown Marks?
Post-breakout marks may appear red, pink, purple, brown, or darker than your natural skin tone.
Their appearance depends partly on your skin tone and the type of inflammation that occurred.
These marks can often improve over time, especially when new breakouts are controlled and the skin is protected from excessive sun exposure.
Daily sunscreen matters because UV exposure can make discoloration more noticeable and persistent.
The First Goal: Stop Creating New Marks
It can be tempting to focus entirely on removing old marks while new acne continues to appear.
But if new breakouts keep forming, you may continue developing new discoloration at the same time you’re trying to fade the old marks.
The smarter approach is usually:
Control active acne first → prevent new inflammation → then focus on remaining marks.
When Should You See a Dermatologist?
If you have deep, painful acne, widespread inflammation, or visible indented or raised scars, professional dermatologic evaluation is important.
Early acne treatment can help reduce the risk of additional scarring.
Not Sure What Your Skin Needs?
If you’re overwhelmed by acne products and don’t know where to begin, you don’t have to build your routine by trial and error.
With our $10 Personalized Skin Plan, you can upload three photos and tell us about your skin from home.
Your information is reviewed by an Acne Expert, and you’ll receive personalized skincare recommendations based on your individual concerns.
Because the first step toward clearer-looking skin is understanding what your skin actually needs.