Whether it is an occasional spot or pimple, or a more serious case of acne, a common feature of many spots is that even when they are gone, they will leave a red mark behind that can least for weeks or even months.

These marks can even be permanent in some cases – usually when the damage is so deep (as in cystic acne spots) that the full depth of the skin structure is damaged, or due to damage inflicted by picking or squeezing.

Even when the damage is not that deep and you have resisted picking, the red marks can hand around for a while after the original spot is long gone.

What causes them?

When you have a spot or pimple, the body sends healing resources to the area which are transported in the blood. This is why the area initially gets red and inflamed.

Sometimes when the spot is healed there is some redness left behind as the tiny capillaries that carry the blood to the skin have become enlarged and more dense in that particular area, meaning we can see them through the top layer of skin.

Many times this will fade over time as the capillaries return to a normal size. The weaker your skin is in general, the longer this can take. So, in this, as in many other things, prevention is better than cure.

In a skin that has the benefit of a good diet, optimum hydration and appropriate supporting skincare, these red marks will vanish much more quickly than in a compromised skin.

To help them fade faster, you can make sure that your skincare includes Vitamin C (Hydra Collagen Serum), Vitamin A (Age Slowly Serum), and essential fatty acids (Lipid Repair Concentrate).

In our clinic, some superficial acid peels or LED light therapy may help to speed up the fading.

Sometimes, the capillaries remain enlarged and the red area never fades. While this is no harm, most people don’t want this visible damage left on their skin.

In these cases we can consider using diathermy in isolated areas to reduce/remove the red patches where they have visible capillaries involved, or Trifractional resurfacing treatments where the red mark is more scar-like and definite in shape.

For more information call us on 053 9145981, or book a treatment online by clicking the link below: