Whenever you get a pimple, you probably want it to heal quickly. But sometimes,acne blemishesleave a dark mark on your skin even after the pimple is gone. This is frustrating, but not uncommon.

Getting rid of these dark spots on your skin starts with understanding what causes them in the first place.

When a pimple pops up on your skin, it’s technically a form of inflammation. And as your skin heals and new skin cells form, it’s possible that the cells sent to help restore your skin’s smooth surface contain too much melanin.

Melanin is what gives your skin its color, and when certain cells have more melanin than others, the result is a darker patch of skin. This is referred to as post-inflammatoryhyperpigmentation

任何使您的皮肤发炎持续更长的东西,例如拾起或挤压瑕疵,都可以增加炎性后色素沉着的机会。

People who have naturally darker skin tones are more prone to this condition. Keep reading to find out more about how to treat those post-pimple dark spots and how to avoid them in the future.

Treating dark spots from acne is different than treating acne scars. Scars require tissue to be damaged or overgrown. Scars are difficult to fully remove, and while they may fade over time, they usually remain visible.

Dark spots from acne, on the other hand, are flat against the surface of your skin. They don’t indicate any long-term damage to your skin cells, pores, or follicles.

It can take a while, but dark spots tend to become lighter over time, and eventually go away completely. It can take anywhere from3 months to 2 years让他们从视野中消失。

That doesn’t mean you have to wait forever in hopes that your dark spots will fade. There are plenty of home remedies, over-the-counter (OTC) products, and even dermatology treatments you can try to get rid of them more quickly.

If you’d like to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, you can start with home remedies. Unfortunately, many of these home remedies have only anecdotal evidence to back them up. For the most part, there’s little harm in giving them a try.

Vitamin C

Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, which can brighten skin and even skin tone. Vitamin C has been shown 成为一种有效的脱脂剂,可降低黑色素的形成。

芦荟

If you look online, you’ll find many fans of using aloe vera to heal dark spots from acne. It’s true that aloe is an exceptional healing agent, especially when it comes to your skin.

An 动物研究 found that consistent use of aloe could stabilize melanin levels in cells, but more research is needed to know the limits of this effect.

Grapeseed extract

Grapeseed extract is another natural product that may work to help lighten dark spots.

为此,没有关于葡萄染料提取物的局部用途的研究。但是有一个 study that shows that 6 months of grapeseed extract taken orally was beneficial for people who have the skin condition melasma, which is similar to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Sun protection

According to research , treatment of any dark spots should start with a vigilant sun-protection routine. Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 each day, regardless of if the day is overcast or humid, will help prevent more damage to your skin.

There are also plenty of OTC treatments for dark spots that you can try if home remedies aren’t helping.Active ingredientsfor these types of products vary widely, but some have been shown to be more effective than others.

These ingredients stop the synthesis of melanin in dark spots while peeling off old skin and encouraging new growth. But some products carry a risk of removing too much pigment from your skin, resulting inhypopigmentation

在尝试OTC产品以摆脱痤疮引起的黑斑之前,请与皮肤科医生交谈。

Once you’ve received your doctor’s OK, look for products that contain some mix of the following ingredients:

  • retinoids (vitamin A)
  • vitamin E (tocopherol)
  • alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), such as mandelic acid
  • kojic acid
  • 硫酸

As a next step up from OTC treatments, you may want to look into treatments you can only get in a dermatologist’s office. Treatments for dark spots aren’t typically covered by health insurance, as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation doesn’t pose a danger to your health.

请记住,当您考虑这种治疗方法时,大多数(如果不是全部)费用都会从您自己的口袋里出来。

Chemical peels

Chemical peelsare done to remove damaged skin cells and reveal younger-looking skin underneath. The cost can vary, but expect to pay in the range of$600or more out of pocket.

化学剥离涉及将不同局部酸的强溶液涂在您的脸上。然后去除果皮,并将皮肤细胞层及其层。

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasiontypically costs around$ 150。它使用一种设备,该设备在皮肤的某些区域爆炸微小的颗粒,或者在皮肤上摩擦了钻石装置。

微磨性是一种下一级的去角质疗法,旨在消除瑕疵,使皮肤看起来光滑均匀。

It’s often used to target dark spots, including ones caused by acne. This treatment is considered lower risk and minimally invasive.

Laser resurfacing

Laser skin resurfacinguses different types of lasers to remove dead skin from your body while encouraging new cells to grow in the deeper layers of your skin. Lasers can be a way to break up scar tissue and correct dark spots caused by acne.

The cost of this treatment varies according to the type of lasers that are used and how many rounds of treatment you need. Expect it to cost between$1,000 and $2,000 per treatment

Be careful when using certain products that claim to treat dark spots caused by acne.

For one thing, some of these products contain powerful retinol ingredients. These ingredients work by thinning out layers of your skin. While that may result in skin that feels more smooth and looks more evenly toned, that leaves you more vulnerable to damage caused by sun exposure.

Be sure to apply sunscreen every day as part of your beauty routine.

Also, remember that not every cosmetic product is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Be particularly careful of products that are bought internationally or sold online.

Some cosmetics contain ingredients like mercury, even though these ingredients won’t be disclosed on the label. Use your discretion, and only shop from vendors you trust.

If you find that you’re developing dark spots frequently, or if the appearance of these dark spots is affecting your day-to-day life, it’s time to speak to your healthcare provider.

If you’re concerned about your dark spots and don’t already have a dermatologist, you can view doctors in your area through theHealthline FindCare tool

Creating a treatment plan with your dermatologist can give you a realistic perspective of dark spots caused by pimples. Having a plan and a professional to call on can make all the difference.

As a pimple heals, your body sometimes produces cells with too much melanin in them to replace the damaged skin. This results in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which we sometimes just call a dark spot.

There are home remedies, OTC options, and even some dermatologist treatments designed to make these dark spots fade faster. Speak to your doctor if you’re at all concerned about dark spots from acne on your skin.