Overview

Acne can really stink. Even when your blemishes heal, they can leave behind red or brown marks. These discolored spots can make your skin look inflamed, irritated and unhealthy---not to mention, they can really knock a dent in your self-confidence. Even though post acne marks often fade away on their own within a year, you can speed up the process by increasing the skin cell turnover rate.

Step 1

Treat your acne. Wash your face with a mild cleanser, tone with an alcohol-free astringent and use an oil-free moisturizer every morning and night to remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells and to prevent new blemishes from forming. Your best bet for removing post acne marks in the long run is to prevent new acne.

Step 2

Use a scrub to exfoliate your skin. This will unclog your pores and slough off dead skin faster, speeding up skin cell turnover and allowing the post acne marks to fade faster. Exfoliate once or twice a week.

Step 3

Use chemical peels. Apply a glycolic acid peel at home using your fingertips, allow to sit for several minutes, then rinse with soapy water. If you have a dermatologist apply a chemical peel, expect it to be stronger and probably made from phenols. In both cases, chemical peels leave the skin red and irritated and cause the skin to peel, revealing fresher skin underneath. Even so, several treatments are needed to obtain desirable results.

Step 4

Smooth out your skin. Dermabrasion is a procedure in which your dermatologist will sand off the top layer of skin. This stimulates new tissue growth and collagen production, making your skin smoother and more even toned once it heals. Dermabrasion kits can also be purchased over the counter.