Dealing with acne is probably one of the most frustrating things in the world. The worst part comes after that, dealing with acne marks. Those dark spots and uneven patches are the aftereffects of breakouts, and they can stick around for a while after your skin is cleared of pimples. Dermatologists today have a clear idea of how to treat acne marks effectively.

Step 1: Gentle Cleansing

• The main goal is trying to get rid of your acne marks, isn’t to strip away your skin, it’s to nurse it back to health. You should first start with a gentle, non-irritating cleanser that gets rid of your impurities without drying your skin. Over-cleansing your face or using very harsh scrubs will only make your skin worse; it will create further inflammation and make the spots even darker. If you don’t know which cleanser to get, choose options from brands like Cetaphil, which has a great, gentle cleanser that will protect your skin and keep your pores clear.

Step 2: Exfoliate

• Exfoliation basically helps speed up the cell turnover process so that the new skin can surface. Using scrubs are a thing of the past, dermatologists recommend chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid or glycolic acid because they gently dissolve dead skin and even out the tone over time. For people who haven’t done this before, use it only two to three times a week because overdoing it can irritate your skin and cause redness.

Step 3: Use Brightening Products

You should look for products that have these ingredients:

• Niacinamide: Slowly gets rid of pigmentation and strengthens your skin barrier.
• Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that helps lighten your dark spots and gives your skin a radiant glow.
• Azelaic Acid: Reduces acne and dark spots.
• Retinoids: Increase cell turnover and collagen production to help reduce marks faster.

You should take your time and introduce these products into your skincare routine because too much too soon can lead to irritation.

Step 4: Use Sunscreen

• If you’re serious about knowing how to treat acne marks, the most important step is to use sunscreen. A lot of UV exposure can darken your pigmentation and undo all your progress. Choose an SPF-30 or higher sunscreen, even if you’re indoors or if it’s cloudy outside; sunscreen is a must.

Step 5: Try Out Professional Treatments

Acne spots can be a challenging thing to get rid of, so sometimes you may need to consider getting it professionally taken care of. Right treatments can be a considerable investment to help get rid of your acne. You can choose from:

• Chemical Peels: They help speed up the cell renewal process and help fade away pigmentation.
• Laser Therapy: Targets melanin deposits with the utmost precision.
• Microneedling: Increases collagen production and even outs your skin tone.

Treating acne takes a lot of time and requires a lot of patience. You don’t need a lot of products or insanely expensive products to help get rid of your acne. You need the right balance of gentle care, the right ingredients, and consistency. The goal isn’t to get the perfect skin overnight; the goal here is to stay consistent, and over time, you will get that skin you want.