Acne Treatment Guide: How To Fade Red And Brown Acne Scars? Acne Creams, Lasers, AHAs Or Facials—What’s Most Effective?

There are countless acne treatment methods, but if you want to quickly heal breakouts and avoid unsightly red or brown acne scars, the key is to act fast with the right emergency skincare once a pimple begins to form. The first step is to use a facial cleanser with low concentrations of exfoliating acids to speed up the removal of dead skin cells. When a pimple appears, the surrounding pores are often clogged too. Switch temporarily to a cleanser containing low levels of AHAs, salicylic acid, or zinc to dissolve excess oil and boost skin cell turnover. After acne treatment, the red bump may start forming a pus-filled head.

1

How to Treat Acne Without Leaving Scars – Emergency Acne Rescue Steps

Step 1: Use a Mild Acidic Cleanser

There are countless acne beauty treatments, but if you want to speed up acne healing and avoid lasting marks, the right emergency care at the early stage is crucial. Start with a cleanser containing a mild concentration of exfoliating acids to shed built-up dead skin. When one pimple appears, nearby pores are likely blocked too. Swap your regular cleanser for one with gentle AHAs, salicylic acid, or zinc to dissolve oil and support healthy turnover. After cleansing, the red bump might begin to form a whitehead.

Step 2: Apply Anti-Inflammatory Serum

At night, after washing your face or showering, if the whitehead hasn't surfaced yet, don’t squeeze it! Try using a warm towel to soften the skin, then apply toner or serum containing azelaic acid, retinol, tea tree oil, AHAs, or salicylic acid directly to the blemish or soak a cotton pad and leave it on for a while to help the active ingredients absorb. Afterward, continue with your usual skincare routine.

Step 3: Simplify Skincare + Use Sunscreen

After cleansing, use a cotton swab to dab acne serums like spot treatments or anti-inflammatory formulas directly onto the blemish. If you're not wearing makeup, it's better not to use acne patches—simplify your routine to reduce stress on the skin. For acne-prone skin, use non-comedogenic, oil-free sunscreens or mineral powders with anti-inflammatory effects. Avoid other cosmetics.

Step 4: Proper Whitehead Extraction

Knowing how to handle whiteheads properly is key to reducing acne scarring. If the whitehead is fully mature but hasn’t come off during cleansing, wait for it to shed naturally or use “external force.” After washing your face or applying a deep-cleansing product like a clay or acid mask, soften the skin and disinfect your hands and extractor. Use the needle to gently prick the whitehead and press lightly on both sides to drain the pus. Blot the wound with tissue, then apply anti-inflammatory and pore-tightening skincare like witch hazel or tea tree extract. Once the wound heals, use azelaic acid-based skincare twice a day to fade the red mark.

2

Acne Treatment—How to Deal with Red vs. Brown Acne Marks?

Red Acne Marks: Causes

When acne occurs, the skin is already inflamed. Acne bacteria trigger an immune response, increasing blood flow to the affected area, causing blood vessels to expand and swell. Even after the pimple heals, a red mark may remain. Specific skincare ingredients can help fade these red spots faster.

How to Treat Red Acne Marks:

Some say red acne scars will fade naturally with skin renewal. While skin typically renews every 28 days, that’s not a universal rule. Due to aging and lifestyle factors, the cycle can stretch to 45 days. Using targeted acne-fading skincare ingredients consistently speeds up the fading process. Ingredients should focus on promoting renewal and reducing redness.

1. Try skincare labeled "anti-redness" to shrink dilated vessels and lighten red marks
2. Use AHAs or salicylic acid to accelerate dead skin removal
3. Vitamin C and retinol can inhibit melanin production and prevent pigmentation
4. Non-sensitive skin types can do deep cleansing or AHA masks 1–2 times a week
5. Monthly laser or intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy can break down melanin, prevent pigmentation, even out skin tone, stimulate collagen, and enhance moisture retention, helping with anti-aging

Brown Acne Marks: Causes

Some pimples appear more bruised in color—reddish-purple or dark brown—and take longer to surface or are deeper under the skin. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this indicates internal dampness and blood stagnation. Western medicine refers to these as cystic or nodular acne that inflames deeper skin layers, like the dermis. Pigmented acne scars are tougher to treat than red ones.

How to Treat Brown Acne Marks:

Brown marks often stem from severe acne, cysts, or nodules, which are inflamed deep within the skin. Natural exfoliation alone can take over six months without fully clearing the pigmentation. In addition to brightening skincare, laser treatments offer faster results.

1. Undergo monthly laser pigmentation treatments
2. Get professional high-concentration AHA peels
3. Use AHA masks 1–2 times weekly based on skin condition
4. Use doctor-prescribed hydroquinone treatments
5. Apply brightening skincare morning and night, and keep skin well-hydrated

3

How to Use Makeup to Cover Acne Marks

Different Acne Mark Colors

Red marks: Use fingertips or a small brush to apply green color corrector, then follow with foundation.

Brown marks: Cover with orange color corrector, then dab a light flesh-toned concealer around the edges and press with your fingertip to blend, followed by foundation.

Scabbing acne: Use a creamy concealer or cover with an acne patch before applying foundation. Clean your makeup brushes thoroughly before reuse if they touch acne.

Tools for Concealing Acne

Lipstick-style concealer stick:

To prevent bacterial spread, a key step in acne beauty is avoiding infection. Although it’s best not to wear makeup over active acne or broken skin, if needed, use a lipstick-style concealer stick. Wipe the surface clean with a tissue before each use, apply, blend with your fingertip, then apply foundation. It’s hygienic and gives a natural finish. Always clean the concealer surface after use.

Mineral foundation (for oily skin):

Oily and acne-prone skin types often struggle with sunscreen—too oily and it clogs pores. Many sunscreens combine chemical and physical filters. For sensitive, oily skin, mineral foundation with natural pigments provides SPF, coverage, and evens out imperfections without synthetic colorants, fragrances, alcohol, or chemical UV filters. Mineral ingredients also reduce inflammation, absorb oil, and soothe sensitivity—perfect for oily, acne-prone skin.

Tinted sunscreen lotion (for dry skin):

Many mineral skincare brands offer tinted sunscreen lotions with natural pigments. These offer extra hydration, brightening, and SPF protection—ideal for dry skin. They combine sunscreen, concealer, and foundation in one. If acne is severe, applying with clean fingers is best.

4

How Effective Are Facials at Beauty Salons for Acne Marks?

Salon acne treatments usually involve manual extraction of blackheads and whiteheads. This process often includes using a hot towel, clay mask, or steamer to open pores and soften the skin. The beautician then uses an extractor to push out clogged pores and gently pierce whiteheads to clear pus.

However, both at-home and salon extractions can backfire if done improperly. Improper pressure can rupture deeper layers of the skin, spreading bacteria and causing more breakouts or worse scarring. Forceful extraction or injury may also deepen pigmentation or create permanent pitted scars.

5

TCM Herbal Acne Treatments

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acne treatments include herbal medicine (oral), herbal masks (topical), and acupuncture. The benefit of TCM is personalized treatment based on your constitution and acne cause. Compared to limited Western prescriptions, TCM targets internal imbalances such as internal heat, spleen dampness, blood stagnation, or deficiency. TCM often involves a daily herbal decoction, paired with a herbal mud facial and acupuncture near acne-prone areas. This helps detoxify, improve circulation, and prevent scarring or pigmentation.

6

What Ingredients Are in Acne Creams?

Acne creams and spot treatments usually contain acids like AHAs, salicylic acid, zinc, vitamins B, C, E, and small amounts of whitening or oil-absorbing ingredients. Many also contain alcohol for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Their main function is to dry out inflamed acne, reduce redness and swelling, and speed up healing—not to fade marks or whiten skin.

Downsides of Acne Creams

Most contain strong astringents like alcohol or oil-absorbing powders. For dry skin, these can cause dryness, irritation, or even flaking, which hinders skin renewal. Since hydration is essential for healing, pair acne treatments with lightweight moisturizers to support metabolism and help marks fade faster.

7

Are Acne Patches Useful?

Acne patches protect inflamed pimples from bacteria on your fingers, skincare products, makeup, and pollutants. Their sealed environment warms the skin, accelerating metabolism. Acne patches also absorb pus and wound fluids to keep the area moist, helping wounds heal faster.

Note: Use acne patches only on pimples with whiteheads or open wounds. They don’t help much with closed comedones or cystic acne. Their best use is under makeup to keep products from irritating open pimples and worsening inflammation. To prevent scarring and pigmentation, support healing with proper patch use. Always change patches regularly—an oversaturated patch may delay healing.

8

Acne Skincare – Are Scar Gels and Scar Patches Effective?

In acne skincare, it’s not just about managing pigmentation—controlling vascular growth and inflammation is also crucial. Few people realize that increased and dilated blood vessels are directly linked to red acne scars and raised acne scars. The principle behind scar gels is to limit the oxygen supply to inflamed skin tissues, thereby reducing vascular proliferation, dilation, and pigment deposition. A common ingredient in acne mark treatments is hydroquinone, which helps prevent and lighten pigmentation for fading acne scars.

Scar patches typically use silicone-based, high-moisture materials to keep the skin beneath well-hydrated, soften scar tissue, and increase surface pressure to prevent raised scarring. Note that silicone scar patches should only be used once wounds are fully healed and no longer oozing. However, these patches are generally intended for larger areas of skin and may not be ideal for facial use.

Can scar patches smooth out indented scars? When used early during the formation of indented scars, they may help improve raised unevenness. However, they are less effective for scars caused by hardened fibrous tissue pulling the skin downward. Dermatologists often recommend treatments like hyaluronic acid or other injectable fillers to plump and level out indentations, or microneedling and laser resurfacing for more significant results.

9

Acne Skincare – At-Home Methods for Fading Acne Scars

Acne skincare is not a one-time fix! To help acne heal quickly and prevent scars or pigmentation from forming, daily care is essential. Here are some recommended practices when dealing with acne:

Acne Skincare Tip 1: Daily Sun Protection

Melanin is not our enemy—it protects skin from sunburn and rapid aging. However, UV rays oxidize skin, break down collagen, and accelerate aging. When skin is inflamed, it already stimulates melanin production; sun exposure only worsens it, deepening acne scars. To prevent this, apply sufficient SPF daily. Use hats, umbrellas, and sunglasses when necessary.

Acne Skincare Tip 2: Use Acid-Based Ingredients

Acids are best friends for oily and acne-prone skin, as well as for fading pigmentation. Ingredients like AHAs and salicylic acid boost cell turnover, helping pigment-stained cells shed faster. Salicylic acid also dissolves blackheads and unclogs pores, while AHAs have additional brightening and anti-aging effects by stimulating collagen production.

Acne Skincare Tip 3: Use Whitening Products Morning and Night

Everyone’s metabolism slows with age, making pigmentation harder to fade. Consistent use of whitening skincare products morning and night is key to fading acne scars. Proven ingredients include arbutin, vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol, tretinoin, azelaic acid, AHAs, kojic acid, hydroquinone, 377, and Thiamidol. These help suppress, reverse, and block melanin production and transport. Determining which works best for your skin takes time and testing.

Acne Skincare Tip 4: Weekly AHA Masks or Monthly AHA Treatments

AHAs are widely recommended for acne-prone skin. Those with acne or post-acne scars should use AHA face masks once or twice weekly, adjusting type and concentration based on tolerance. Home use is typically safe up to 15% AHA; concentrations of 20% or higher should be left to professionals to avoid allergic reactions or burns. Professional high-concentration AHA peels, done monthly, can fade acne scars, whiten skin, minimize pores, and firm the skin.

Acne Skincare Tip 5: Use Acne Patches and Choose Products Carefully

If you wear makeup daily, acne patches can protect pimples from infection and reduce inflammation that causes scarring. Choose skincare labeled non-comedogenic, and for oily/acne-prone skin, opt for oil-free formulas. When choosing sunscreens and cosmetics, go for powder-based options—they’re water-free and less likely to harbor bacteria, reducing acne triggers.

10

Acne Skincare – Dermatologist-Approved Ingredients for Treating Acne and Marks

Common dermatological treatments for acne include:

For Mild Acne: Topical medications like antibiotic creams/gels and tretinoin. Doctors also teach proper cleansing and moisturizing techniques.

For Severe Acne: Oral medications may be prescribed, such as antibiotics, hormone-suppressing drugs, or isotretinoin. Research shows that a 6–8 month isotretinoin course can be up to 80% effective in treating acne.

If acne is not severe, dermatologists may recommend starting with over-the-counter products containing low concentrations of AHAs, salicylic acid, or retinoids to promote cell turnover, control oil, and reduce breakouts. For fading acne scars, retinoids and vitamin C are often recommended, while hyaluronic acid and vitamin B are favored for hydration and skin repair.

11

Acne Skincare – Clinical Treatments for Acne Marks

To reduce stubborn acne and persistent scarring, dermatologists may suggest combining topical and oral treatments with in-clinic procedures. These may include light therapy (IPL), laser treatments, or chemical peels with high-concentration or multi-acid blends to address enlarged pores, blackheads, whiteheads, and oily skin. For indented scars, subcision, microneedling, RF microneedling, or fractional laser treatments are often recommended.

12

Acne Skincare – Laser Treatments for Acne Marks

Laser and light therapies are highly effective for accelerating skin renewal and stimulating collagen production in the dermis. By thickening the collagen layer, they improve hydration and skin barrier function, which reduces oiliness and speeds up skin repair. As metabolism increases, red, brown, and dark acne scars fade faster. IPL can also shrink broken capillaries, reduce redness, and lighten red acne scars—though for collagen stimulation, laser treatments are superior. Laser acne mark treatments can also help smooth out shallow indented scars by lifting the skin.

13

Acne Skincare – Truly Effective Treatments for Acne and Acne Scars

Recurring acne and overlapping old and new acne scars can wreak havoc on the skin and confidence. If your skin metabolism is sluggish or not in optimal health, regular whitening and anti-acne skincare might not be enough. For fast, visible results, it’s best to turn to professionals.

Perfect Medical’s Acne Scar Treatment is led by experienced specialists using advanced laser technology. The treatment not only fades acne scars but also helps control oil and inflammation.

Perfect Medical’s Acne Scar Treatment uses lasers with different wavelengths to target various skin layers—superficial, mid, and deep. It breaks down melanin clusters, which are naturally expelled through skin renewal. This not only fades acne scars but also prevents pigmentation and dark spots. It can minimize pores and smooth indented scars, restoring clarity and evenness to the complexion.