Post-acne marks
The acne has cleared but the marks remain, sometimes longer than the spots themselves. The good news is that marks can fade, and faster with the right care.
What are post-acne marks?
Post-acne marks are colour traces left after a bout of inflammation. Unlike scars, marks don't make the skin sink. The surface stays flat; only the colour is different.
There are two types of marks that are often confused. Brown marks come from melanin built up after inflammation and darken in the sun. Red marks come from small blood vessels dilated after inflammation and fade when pressed gently. They need different approaches, and the wrong one can make marks take longer to fade.
Learn more about brown marks, red marks and their causes
What causes post-acne marks?
After inflammation
- Inflamed acneThe more and longer the inflammation, the more easily skin is left with marks.
- Squeezing spots, rubbingCauses further damage and prolongs inflammation.
Sun & constitution
- UV rays and visible lightMake brown marks darker and slower to fade.
- Asian skinMore pigmented skin increases pigment after inflammation more easily.
Three common types
Melanin built up after inflammation. Darken in the sun; need tone evening and strict sun protection.
Small blood vessels dilated after inflammation; they fade when pressed. Need calming and less inflammation rather than whitening.
Brown marks lie mainly in the epidermis, partly in the superficial dermis. Red marks involve small blood vessels in the superficial dermis.
Where should I start?
Before choosing a product or treatment, let us identify which type of mark you have and whether your acne is still active.
During your Da Ký™, we distinguish brown marks, red marks and shallow scars, and review what you're using. In many cases, marks are slow to fade simply because skin is irritated by too many actives at once.
Home care
With post-acne marks, most progress comes from what you do every day: consistent sunscreen, not squeezing spots, and sticking with a few suitable actives.
Treatments at Claire help marks fade faster, but if skin keeps breaking out or is exposed to sun every day, new marks will appear. The right routine is the only way to keep the results.
Recommendations we often give
- Sunscreen is the most important step. UV rays and visible light make brown marks darker and slower to fade. A tinted sunscreen is often a good choice.
- Tone-evening actives. Niacinamide, azelaic acid, vitamin C and retinoids all have evidence. Add only one new product at a time.
- For red marks, prioritise calming. Red marks need less inflammation and a restored barrier more than strong whitening products.
- Don't squeeze spots. Every squeeze can create another mark, or even a scar.
At Claire, we work with cosmeceutical lines such as SkinCeuticals, ZO Skin Health, Obagi and Dermalogica, and only suggest a product when it truly suits your skin.
In-clinic options
The options at Claire depend on the type of mark and whether acne is still active.
For brown marks, Bio Peel (PRX-T33, no peeling) and Skin Peel resurface and even the skin tone. Peel & Glow suits you if you want skin that's both more even and more glowing.
If acne is still appearing, Skin Clear and Acne Peel controls acne first, so no new marks form. For red marks and sensitive skin, Skin Recovery calms and restores.
See how each treatment acts
| Treatments | Fades brown marks | Calms red marks | Controls new breakouts | Restores the skin barrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bio PeelPre Peel · Bio active peel · Neutralise & Soothe · 50–55 minutes · VND 3,500,000 · Member VND 2,400,000 | ||||
| Skin PeelActive peel · Neutralise & Soothe · 50–55 minutes · VND 3,500,000 · Member VND 2,400,000 | ||||
| Peel & GlowP-Solution · T33 · Antisepsis & Microchanneling · 75 minutes · VND 7,200,000 · Member VND 5,400,000 | ||||
| Acne PeelAcnePro active peel · Neutralise & Soothe · 50–55 minutes · VND 1,800,000 · Member VND 1,200,000 | ||||
| Skin ClearMedically grounded extractions · Reduce inflammation + kill bacteria · LED Acne · 60–85 minutes · VND 900,000 · Member VND 600,000 | ||||
| Skin RecoveryCold Plasma, LDM or LED · Mask + Cold Therapy · 40–65 minutes · VND 900,000 · Member VND 600,000 |
Main action Supporting
Depth of action
Illustrated according to each treatment's technology; actual action is adjusted to each skin.
Other options and advice
Red marks that persist for months sometimes respond better to vascular laser. If needed, we'll explain this option clearly and refer you.
If you have atrophic scars as well as marks, we'll plan to treat both, in the right order.
Other skin concerns
Begin by understanding your skin
Da Ký™: a one-to-one consultation, unhurried, with no pressure to buy a package.