Black scars, which dermatologists call "postinflammatory hyperpigmentation" are not actually scars at all. Rather, they are spots that sometimes appear where acne lesions once were after the acne has cleared up. They are often pink, red, or purplish on individuals with lighter skin tones and can appear tan or dark brown on people with darker skin. While these spots will disappear on their own given time, there are several treatments which can speed up the process.
Step 1
Use a skin lightening cream to diminish the appearance of black scars. Skin bleaching creams that contain hydroquinone can be particularly effective and can often be obtained without a prescription. However, the website AcneNet recommends avoiding creams with more than 2 percent hydroquinone, as these can lead to severe skin discoloration. Certain other skin creams that contain multiple ingredients, including hydroquinone, a corticosteroid and tretinoin, require a prescription and are also effective at lightening black scars.
Step 2
Get a series of microdermabrasion treatments. Microdermabrasion uses a machine to sand away the top layer of skin, allowing new, healthy skin to grow in its place. Scars and spots on the top layer of skin tend to fade as the skin heals.
Step 3
Protect your skin from the sun. Damage from the sun can cause spots left by acne to become darker and more noticeable, causing them to fade much slower than they normally would. Use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and be sure to stay in the shade as much as possible, recommends WomensHealth.gov. Keep as much of the skin as possible covered when going outside.
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