How to Visibly Improve Post-Blemish Marks

In this article:
What are post-blemish marks?
Types of post-blemish marks
Blemish marks versus blemish scars
What causes post-blemish marks?
How to get rid of post-blemish marks
Skin care routine for post-blemish marks
How to avoid post-blemish marks
How long does it take for post-blemish marks to go away?

When a swollen blemish finally goes away, it often leaves behind noticeable discolourations commonly known as post-blemish marks.

But what’s behind their appearance and stubborn nature, and is there any way to get rid of them?

Read on to find the research-backed answers to those questions and more!

What are post-blemish marks?

Before figuring out how to tackle post-blemish marks, it’s important to know what they are in the first place. Post-blemish marks are dark spots or discolourations that stick around after breakouts go away. They're a type of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH, that “occurs when skin is inflamed due to active blemish lesions leading to release of melanin from affected skin cells that settles outside of the cell in the superficial and deep layers of skin that cause an uneven skin tone,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey Hartman (1).

Essentially, skin produces excess melanin after injury or irritation and this excess production leads to dark spots and discolourations.

These marks aren’t just lingering reminders of breakouts past, research shows they have a real, measurable impact on people’s quality of life, including how others perceive them and how they perceive themselves (2). Dr. Hartman adds, “An uneven skin tone can lead to loss of self-esteem, difficulty achieving life goals and interference with interpersonal relationships.”

Types of post-blemish marks

While there aren’t different types of post-blemish marks, how they present can vary greatly depending on your skin tone. People with Fitzpatrick skin types (also known as phototypes) I-III generally see pinkish, red or light brown marks on their skin after a breakout (3).

Those with deeper skin tones, types IV-VI, will notice their skin turns dark brown, gray or purple in the wake of blemishes. Dr. Hartman explains that this is because “darker skin tones have both larger melanocytes and more melanin, so they’re usually more affected by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation than lighter skin tones.”

Blemish marks versus blemish scars

Post-blemish marks are not to be confused with blemish scars, another type of post-inflammatory breakout response.

In the case of blemish scars, these discoloured, either raised or indented areas of skin result from the dysregulation of collagen production during the active healing process of breakout lesions (4).

These scars fall into two categories: atrophic scars, that occur underneath skin’s uppermost layer (also known as “pock marks”), and hypertrophic scars, which occur on skin’s surface (5). Simply put, “atrophic scars are flat or indented and hypertrophic scars are raised and thick,” says Dr. Hartman.

What causes post-blemish marks?

All post-blemish marks have the same cause–the excess production and uneven distribution of melanin caused by blemish-related inflammation.

The specific trigger for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is inflammation of the hair follicle and oil glands (6). This causes melanin production to essentially go haywire, resulting in skin discolourations. Research finds this is less common in mild cases of blemishes and more prevalent in moderate to severe blemishes, including pustular and nodular breakouts.

One more thing: injury to the site of the breakout, including scratching, picking, squeezing or puncturing, increases the risk of developing post-blemish marks, since it adds to the irritation skin is already experiencing. “Manipulation of an already inflamed breakout only increases the inflammation and therefore the discolouration,” says Dr. Hartman.

How to get rid of post-blemish marks

If you already have post-blemish marks and are looking to minimise their appearance–or get rid of them altogether–the good news is that there are skin care ingredients that can help.

Here are the top anti-dark spot skin care ingredients that help lessen the appearance of post-blemish marks:

• Vitamin C is well-known for improving discolourations thanks to its ability to inhibit some of the factors that lead to melanin overproduction.
• Retinol and other retinoids can target specific pathways within skin that lead to uneven tone and dark spots, helping to promote an even tone.
• Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, in concentrations of 5% or greater, works via several pathways to not only prevent new discolourations, but help fade the appearance of existing marks. Bonus: it also helps regulate oil production within pores, which helps prevent breakouts.
• Tranexamic acid, an anti-dark spot ingredient, interacts with an enzyme called plasmin that can trigger excess melanin production. This ingredient also targets vascular factors that cause persistent redness.
• Azelaic acid inhibits the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase, a key factor in melanin production and overproduction, plus it’s also highly soothing so it’s great for red spots.
• BHA (beta hydroxy acid), also known as salicylic acid, regulates oil production and soothes inflammatory factors, while also working to prevent future clogs.

One important note: while these ingredients can also help improve the look of blemish scars as well, they cannot make them disappear entirely. Blemish scars are better suited to in-office procedures such as microneedling, chemical peels or other clinical treatments that help promote collagen. Speak to your dermatologist to see which options are best for you.



Skin care routine for post-blemish marks

Curating a skin care routine for post-blemish marks starts with a few essential components. First, choose gentle, fragrance-free products from start to finish–no exceptions! Second, select proven breakout-fighters (like benzoyl peroxide) to stop blemishes in their tracks. Third, use treatments with ingredients specifically designed to target discolourations. Fourth, end your routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to ensure your dark spots don’t worsen.

Here’s what a sample post-blemish marks skin care routine might look like:

Daytime:

1. Use a gentle cleanser designed to remove excess oil without drying out skin.
2. Apply a niacinamide toner that visibly minimises enlarged pores.
3. Renew skin with a BHA exfoliant that includes soothing ingredients to exfoliate, balance skin’s oil and remove clogs.
4. Treat blemish-prone areas with a leave-on benzoyl peroxide treatment designed to tackle the root causes of breakouts (bacteria).
5. Use a concentrated vitamin C serum that’s tough on dark spots.
6. Protect against irritating UV damage with a sunscreen for blemish-prone skin. Dr. Hartman says, “If you’re treating discolouration and marks, but not wearing sunscreen every day, you are getting in your own way and stunting your progress.”

Nighttime:

1. Cleanse.
2. Exfoliate.
3. Use a 20% niacinamide serum or gentle retinoid treatment (or both, depending on your skin’s tolerance) to target dark spots.
4. Finish with a lightweight oil-free moisturiser designed to improve the skin barrier.

How to avoid post-blemish marks

It probably comes as no surprise to hear that the best way to avoid post-blemish marks is to not get them in the first place. While it’s not 100% possible to prevent the development of all dark spots, there are steps you can take to set yourself up for success. Ways to manage post-blemish marks include:

• Adopt an effective anti-blemish skin care routine that includes products specifically designed for breakout-prone skin.
• Use skin care products that are fragrance-free and don’t have harsh, sensitising ingredients. These ingredients can cause additional irritation that makes inflammatory factors worse.
• Don’t pick, scratch or puncture blemishes, as hard as it can be. If you must, pop a blemish the right way to avoid causing more damage to skin.
• Avoid skin-damaging scrubs. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again–you cannot scrub blemishes away! Abrasive manual exfoliants strip away skin’s defences, leaving it even more vulnerable to irritation. As Dr. Corey L. Hartman points out, “your goal should be reducing the irritation and not adding to it”.
• Steer clear of DIY skin care including acidic citrus juices, such as lemon juice and essential oils. These are sometimes touted as effective at-home remedies for post-blemish marks, but instead they do damage to skin’s barrier, making matters worse.

How long does it take for post-blemish marks to go away?

The answer is–it depends. Left untreated, studies have found that post-blemish marks can linger for a year, or even as long as five years in some cases (7).

With an effective skin care routine, you can expect to see some improvement in the appearance of post-blemish marks within 4-6 weeks, and often much sooner than that. Many factors come into play, including how severe the mark is and how long you’ve had it. But rest assured, there will be a visible difference; it just takes time.

We know it can be frustrating, but this is a case where patience and diligence pay off– keep at it, and you’re bound to be happy with the results!

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References for this information:


1. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, September 2021, pages 829-835
2. British Journal of Dermatology, May 2023, pages 682-684
3. DermNet, Accessed May 2025, Website
4. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, March 2023, pages 731-738
5. The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, January 2023, pages 3,143-3,146
6. Molecules, June 2023, pages 1-28
7. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, September 2024, pages 16-22