Put down the color correcting concealer. These are the most effective ingredients to fade the appearance of red marks and dark spots, according to experts.
If you’ve gotten past a bout of acne, you may feel that the battle is won.
However, getting rid of stubborn red and brown marks can be just as tough as banishing the acne itself.
Fortunately, these post-acne marks can be healed quickly and safely, without expensive visits to the dermatologist — you just need the right ingredients!
What Causes Red Marks?
Source: Instagram (@mimandskin)
"Before one scar would fade, a new pimple would surface. It was extremely frustrating and I couldn't find a product that would get rid of the acne scars." – Mim P.
Inflammation occurs when the body increases blood flow to the tissue surrounding a clogged pore¹. It is the body’s natural response in fending off bacterial infection.
After the pimple has flattened, it normally takes 8 to 12 weeks for blood vessels to shrink back to its original size. The residual blood and dilated blood vessels cause the red mark and it is important to fade these red marks quickly.
The longer red marks linger, they get exposed to UV light, collect melanin and become stubborn brown marks.
Getting Rid of Red Marks — Botanical Vs. Synthetic
Most scar spot treatments use lighteners to target melanin pigment. Such products only work on brown acne marks and does nothing to dissipate residual blood or shrink blood vessels in red marks.
Synthetic ingredients were commonly used to fade the redness, but they weren't nearly as effective as natural botanical complexes when it comes to soothing your skin2.
Meet Lighten Up — a unique formulation of botanical complexes to dissipate residual blood and reduce the appearance of dilated blood vessels:
- Marigold flower improves your skin texture/tone.
- Chamomile flower promotes healing and acts as a soothing agent.
- Tea tree oil soothes redness and fades the appearances of post-acne red marks.
Clearly's pharmacists had vetted thousands of combinations of botanical ingredients before finding the optimal mix.
Apply Lighten Up both morning and evening and you should see a significant reduction within a month. The lotion does not clog pores and does not irritate sensitive skin.
A Different Tool for Brown Acne Marks?
@deannaskin Individual results may vary
It is important to fade red marks quickly as it reduces the chance of UV exposure. When red marks are exposed to UV, they quickly collect melanin and turn into brown marks3.
These dark spots are more stubborn than red marks and can last up to two years on most skin types. To fade them, use the Dark Mark Defense (DMD). This formulation penetrates deeper into the epidermis where melanin is buried.
DMD contains potent pigment-regulating agents* that fade the appearance of dark spots much faster.
- Vitamin E creates a healing barrier over your skin.
- TXA brightens skin and fades the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
- 4nBR creates a lightening effect on your skin.
*Each active ingredient inside DMD is well researched by the medical community. Its effectiveness is further amplified by mixing the ingredients together in the right percentages. You won't find this unique mix anywhere else.
DMD works on post-acne brown marks, sun spots, age spots and melasma. You will see good improvement within three months of continuous use and a significant improvement after six months of use:
Don't know what type of acne scars you have? Generally red marks linger for three months so if you have a mark that lasts longer than three months, it is likely a brown acne scar. Questions? 👉 Click here for a FREE personalized assessment 💬.
What More Can I Do to Prevent Acne Scars4?
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First, prevention is key. Get rid of the clog and there is no acne . If you don't have new breakouts, you won't have new acne scars or marks.
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Second, resist the urge to pick at your pimples. Picking at your pimples increases the chances of inflammation, bacterial complications and permanent damage (atrophic scarring*) to the tissue surrounding your pores.
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Third, make sure to apply sunblock SPF35 or higher whenever you are outdoors as a red scar can easily turn brown with exposure to UV light.
*An atrophic scar is an indented scar that heals below the normal layer of skin tissue. They form when the skin is unable to regenerate tissue. As a result, it leaves behind imbalanced scarring.
To learn more about atrophic scars and how to get rid of them quickly and safely, sign up for the FREE toolkit below:
Win the War Against Acne
@mimandskin Individual results may vary
Of course, the best way to prevent acne scars is to stop new acne.
Doing this is easier than you might think. You don’t need a six-step procedure involving scrubbing and steaming. (Don't scrub or steam as it will further inflame your acne and leave deeper red marks)!
You just need a single lotion that is effective at penetrating into the pore to flush out dead skin trapped inside . If the dead skin does not accumulate inside the pore, clogs are much harder to form.
If you look at the algorithm dermatologists use5 to treat acne, the first choice in treating acne is a retinoid followed by an AZA lotion. Both ingredients flush out dead skin and are a deadly combination when working together.
Clear Out combines both pharma-grade retinol and AZA into a single bottle.
This unique combination of ingredients has been balanced to maximize effectiveness. The active ingredients work together to drive better results with less side effects*.
*Over 50% of our users have sensitive skin and they have no issues using Clear Out. This formulation is gentle, yet very effective in flushing out clogs.
Pair Lighten Up with Clear Out in order to clear clogs and reduce redness simultaneously:
Clear Out carries a 90-day money back guarantee so if you don’t see a noticeable improvement after using the entire bottle, you will get a full refund. T&Cs apply.
What People Are Saying About Clearly Basics ...
Clearly Basics has helped many people with acne ranging from mild to severe; people with sensitive skin to people with extremely oily skin. For a personalized assessment, please click "Send Message" on the Clearly Basics Facebook page.
Here are some of our user's stories below. These are users who have documented their entire acne journey on Instagram, including products they have used before they started Clearly Basics:
Toni (@xx.tonilumsden), a stylist from Hertfordshire spent over $6500 in acne products and treatments that did nothing for her acne but damage her skin …
Then she discovered Power Duo and it changed her life…
@xx.tonilumsden Individual results may vary
“Never in my life did I imagine my skin would be this clear! Clearly Basics has completely transformed my skin!”
Alisha (@skinwithak) suffered from severe acne and went through three rounds of oral medications before discovering Clear Out :
@skinwithak Individual results may vary
“All I can say is ‘ Clear Out ’ by @clearlybasics is a Godsend ❤️ It doesn’t leave me overly dry or flaky which most retinol creams did.” "I wish I came across Clearly Basics before starting oral medication as I would have purchased these and wouldn't have had to put my body through so much!"
Or Ella (@_myskinstory), an aesthetician and a makeup artist who loves using Clear Out to keep her skin less acne-prone.
" Clear Out is my favorite and most recommended product to any of my followers who suffer with mild-acne as well as post-acne suffers. The combination of ingredients are unique and work THE BEST in keeping spots at bay as well as improving acne marks & scars."
Bea (@beas.bareskin), a student from California, who has tried almost everything...
Ranging from prescription medication, chemical peels to a long list of brands (Clean & Clear, Clearasil, Proactiv, St. Ives, etc.)
...which resulted in even more breakouts, until she found Clearly Basics.
@beas.bareskin Individual results may vary
"My skin looks so good now! I've had a few of my classmates tell me my skin texture looks so nice and even now. 😊"
And many more reviews from Google ...
For more testimonials
Try It, Risk FREE!
If you finish an entire bottle and don’t see any results…
You’re entitled to a full refund within 90 days! T&Cs apply.
Get Clear Out and give it a TRY!
About the Author
References:
1. Deirdre Connolly et al, 2017 : Acne Scarring—Pathogenesis, Evaluation, and Treatment Options
2. Alison F. Stallings et al, 2009 : Practical Uses of Botanicals in Skin Care
3. Paula Begoun : Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
4. Fabbrocini G et al, 2018 : Evaluation, Prevention, and Management of Acne Scars: Issues, Strategies, and Enhanced Outcomes
5. Christine Nguyen, 2018 : Acne treatment algorithm suggested by Gollnick et al - Mild Moderate and Severe Acne
Disclaimer:
Nothing on this article should be interpreted as personal medical advice. For medical related matters, please consult with your dermatologist.