The pimples have finally calmed down, but the skin still looks irritated. A red or brown spot remains on almost every spot where there has been inflammation. Sometimes for a few weeks, sometimes for months.
Many people mention these spots acne scars. But they are far from always the case.
A red spot after acne, An brown pigment spot after acne and a real acne scar are three different things. And that is important, because if the skin is still smooth, no scar may have formed at all.
In addition, red and brown acne spots can be treated. Which treatment is best depends on what remains in the skin after the acne.
At Medikadermis, I therefore first look at the skin itself. Do I see mainly redness? Does pigmentation play a major role? Are there any active inflammations? Or have pits actually formed in the skin?
You don't need to know yourself which treatment you need. It is precisely the distinction between active acne, redness, pigmentation, and scarring that determines which approach is most beneficial.
Red or brown spots after acne: what is the difference?
Red and brown spots after acne are often lumped together, but something else is happening in the skin.
A smooth red spot after a pimple we call post-inflammatory erythema (PIE). Post-inflammatory means that it developed after an inflammation, and erythema means redness.
A smooth brown or dark spot after acne we call post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). In this case, more pigment has become visible locally after the inflammation.
If, on the other hand, you see or feel a dimple, dent, or change in skin texture, then it could be a real condition. acne scar.
So the difference is actually quite simple:
- smooth and red: usually redness after acne (PIE);
- smooth and brown: usually acne pigmentation (PIH);
- a small pit or dent: possibly an atrophic acne scar.
These phenomena can occur simultaneously on the skin. So, you may still have a few active pimples, along with red acne spots, brown pigment spots, and perhaps a few actual scars.
That is exactly why it makes sense to take a good look at the skin first before choosing a treatment.
Why do red spots remain after acne?
A red spot left behind after a pimple usually does not mean that a deep scar has formed.
When a pimple becomes inflamed, an inflammatory reaction occurs in the skin. The small blood vessels surrounding the inflammation also play a role in this. Even after the pimple itself has disappeared, the redness may remain visible for some time.
We call this post-inflammatory erythema or PIE.
The annoying thing is that the skin can look irritated for months because of this, even though the acne itself may have already calmed down considerably. Especially when multiple red spots are close together, it can appear as if there is still a lot of acne present.
Some of this redness will disappear on its own. If the red spots after acne If they are clearly visible or bother you, there are also treatment options to reduce the redness.
Can you treat red spots after acne?
Yes. For persistent red acne spots, a treatment targeting the remaining redness can be a great next step.
At Medikadermis, I work with, among others, for this purpose. IPL of the Lumenis M22. Light treatments are also described in scientific research as one of the treatment options for post-acne erythema.
The goal is not to remove a dimple or scar with IPL, but to gradually make the redness that has remained visible after the inflammation less noticeable. As a result, the overall skin appearance can become much calmer and more even.
The Lumenis M22 also offers various laser technologies, including a Multi-Spot Nd:YAG Vascular Laser. This gives me more options to tailor a treatment to the skin type, without every form of redness automatically having to be treated in the same way.
The main advantage for you is that I am not dependent on a single technique. First, I assess the skin; then, I determine which treatment is best suited.
Why do brown spots remain after acne?
A brown spot after a pimple arises in a different way.
Inflammation can stimulate pigment production in the skin. As a result, more melanin remains at the site where the pimple was located. Melanin is the pigment that determines, among other things, our natural skin color.
We call this brown or darker discoloration post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
So, even a brown spot is not automatically an acne scar. When the skin is still smooth, it is mainly a change in color.
Pigmentation after acne can occur in any skin type, but is often more noticeable and persistent in skin that naturally produces pigment more easily.
That can be quite frustrating. The pimple itself might disappear within a few days, while the brown spot remains visible for months.
Do brown spots after acne go away on their own?
Brown spots after acne can gradually lighten on their own. However, that process can be slow.
Moreover, sunlight can stimulate the pigment again. As a result, an existing spot may become darker or remain visible longer.
Good daily sun protection is therefore essential. post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation an important part of the approach. Not only during a treatment, but specifically to prevent pigment from being reactivated repeatedly.
If the spots continue to be bothersome, pigment-regulating home products, medical peels, and light or laser treatments can be used to even out the skin.
Can you treat brown pigment spots after acne?
Yes. At brown spots after acne The treatment focuses on the pigment that remains after the inflammation.
At Medikadermis, I can utilize various treatments for this. Depending on the skin, a course of treatment may consist of pigment-regulating skincare, a medical peel, or treatment with light or laser.
Within the Lumenis M22 in addition to IPL, I also have the 1064 nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser. This laser technique is used for pigment indications, and 1064 nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG has also been investigated for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation following acne.
That doesn't mean you have to figure out for yourself whether you need IPL, a peel, or a pigment laser. Pigment-sensitive skin actually requires a careful approach. During the skin assessment, I determine which treatment is best suited to your skin.
At Medicademis, this approach falls under SPOT, my treatments focused on pigmentation and a more even complexion.
Can IPL treat both red and brown spots after acne?
Yes, IPL can be used for both redness and certain pigment spots, but they are different treatment goals.
That is one of the reasons why I like to work with the Lumenis M22 work. IPL is, after all, not simply one type of light treatment. Within the system, various options are available for different skin indications.
In addition, the M22 platform features separate laser modules for, among other things, capillaries, pigmentation, and fractional skin improvement.
I find this important for someone left with various residual effects after acne. You don't have to determine for yourself first whether your problem falls under acne, redness, pigmentation, or scarring. I can assess the different aspects of the skin condition and create a suitable treatment plan.
The device matters, but the assessment of the skin determines what I want to treat with it.
Why do I work with the Lumenis M22?
IPL is an umbrella term. Two practices can both claim to treat with IPL, while the equipment and capabilities can differ significantly.
At Medikadermis I work with the Lumenis M22: a professional modular light and laser platform with which I can treat various skin problems.
Within a single system, I have at my disposal Universal IPL, the Multi-Spot Nd:YAG Vascular Laser, the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser for, among other things, pigment indications and ResurFX 1565 nm for fractional skin improvement.
For skin after acne, that is particularly pleasant. What someone perceives as “acne spots” can actually consist of various things: active inflammation, redness, pigmentation, and actual scarring.
This means I don't have to approach every problem with the same technique. I can first look at what is actually going on in the skin and then determine which treatment is appropriate.
For me, that is the added value of good equipment combined with a dermatological assessment.
Do you still have active acne and red or brown spots?
That happens very often. There are new pimples and inflammations, while previous inflammations have meanwhile left behind red or brown spots.
In such a situation, I do not only look at the old spots. After all, every new inflammation can leave behind redness, pigmentation, or ultimately an acne scar.
For active inflammatory acne The Lumenis M22 features a specific acne filter. This allows IPL to be used as part of a treatment for active, inflamed acne.
In this way, a treatment plan can evolve with what the skin needs at that moment: first more rest for the active acne, and then attention to what remains visibly.
More on this: IPL for acne – how does light treatment work for inflammatory acne? →
And when are they actually acne scars?
When after acne there is not only a color difference but also a dimple, indentation or change in skin texture if something has been left behind, it could be a genuine acne scar.
Atrophic acne scars, in particular, can remain visible as small or larger depressions in the skin.
This changes the treatment goal. We no longer treat just redness or pigmentation, but aim to improve the skin structure instead.
For suitable atrophic acne scars, I work with ResurFX 1565 nm, the non-ablative fractional laser of the Lumenis M22. This treatment is aimed at skin renewal and remodeling of collagen and other connective tissue in the skin.
Do you mainly have pits? Read: Treating acne scars – what can you do about pits after acne? →
What do you treat first: acne, red spots, pigmentation, or scars?
Skin after acne cannot always be placed into a single category. Sometimes there are still some active inflammations, while previous pimples have left behind red or brown spots. And there may also be small pits among them.
Which treatment can make the most difference at that moment therefore depends on the overall appearance of the skin as well as what you yourself would like to improve.
With active acne, the focus lies more on calming the inflammation. Are especially red spots after acne if it has remained visible, then we can focus on the redness. brown spots after acne pigment plays a greater role. And with actual pitting, the focus is precisely on improving skin structure.
In practice, those treatment goals can also overlap. Therefore, a treatment plan does not have to be the same for every skin type.
During the skin assessment, I look at what remains visible after the acne and discuss with you where you would like to see the most improvement. From there, we can choose a treatment that aligns with your needs.
Which treatment helps against red and brown acne spots?
For red and brown acne spots Various treatments are possible. Which treatment is suitable depends primarily on the discoloration left behind after the acne.
At Medicadermis, for red residual spots, I work with, among other things, IPL of the Lumenis M22. Within the same platform, I also have a Multi-Spot Nd:YAG Vascular Laser.
Bee pigment spots after acne The treatment may consist of pigment-regulating skincare, medical peels, and light or laser treatment. In addition to IPL, the Lumenis M22 also features a for this purpose. Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser for pigment indications.
Are there real ones besides the discolorations acne scars with pits arise, then treatment with ResurFX 1565 nm fractional laser are being considered to improve skin structure.
The great thing about these different options is that I don't have to work from a single standard treatment. The treatment can be tailored to what is visible in your skin and what you would like to improve.
Treating red and brown acne spots in The Hague
Even when the acne itself has already calmed down much, can red and brown spots after acne still significantly determine the skin appearance. Sometimes, a few impurities or pits are also visible.
Bee Medicadermis in The Hague I look at the overall appearance of the skin and, above all, at what you would like to improve. Red residual spots, pigmentation, and acne scars each require a different approach.
For this, I have various treatment options available, including Lumenis M22 IPL, the Multi-Spot Nd:YAG Vascular Laser, the Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser, medical peels and ResurFX 1565 nm suitable for atrophic acne scars.
This way, the treatment can be tailored to what is visible in your skin and where you want to see the most improvement. The goal is a calmer and more even complexion, whereby redness, pigmentation, or scarring can be targeted.
View the options for acne treatment at Medicademis in The Hague →
Frequently asked questions about red and brown spots after acne
Are red spots after acne scars?
Usually not. When a red spot after acne If the surface is still smooth, it is often post-inflammatory erythema (PIE): redness remaining after inflammation. With an atrophic acne scar, the structure of the skin has also changed, and a dimple may be visible, for example.
Why do red spots after pimples remain visible for so long?
After an infected pimple, the redness in the skin can remain visible longer than the inflammation itself. We call this post-inflammatory erythema. As a result, the skin may continue to look irritated for some time, even when the active acne has already significantly reduced.
Do red spots after acne go away on their own?
Red spots after acne can gradually become less visible on their own. However, that can take quite a bit of time. If the redness persists or bothers you, treatments are available to make the skin look more even again.
Can IPL help with red spots after acne?
Yes, IPL can be used for red spots and redness after acne.. At Medicademis, I work with the Lumenis M22. Light and laser treatments have also been investigated in scientific research for post-acne erythema.
The goal of the treatment is for the remaining redness to gradually become less noticeable and for the skin appearance to become calmer and more even.
Why do I get brown spots after pimples?
After an inflammation, extra pigment can temporarily be produced in the skin. As a result, a brown or darker pigment spot lag behind. We call this post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
This form of pigmentation after acne can occur in any skin type, but is often more clearly visible in skin that produces pigment easily.
Do brown spots after acne go away on their own?
Brown spots after acne can lighten on their own., However, some pigment spots remain visible for months. Moreover, sunlight can darken existing pigment. Good daily sun protection therefore helps to limit new pigment stimulation as much as possible.
What helps with pigmentation spots after acne?
For pigment spots after acne Various treatments are possible. At Medicadermis, I can work with, among other things, pigment-regulating skincare, medical peels, IPL, and laser treatment.
Which approach is the best fit depends on the skin and the visible pigment.
Can IPL treat both red and brown acne spots?
Yes, IPL can be used for both redness and certain pigment spots after acne.. Redness and pigmentation are different treatment goals. The capabilities of the Lumenis M22 make it possible to tailor the treatment accordingly.
Can an Nd:YAG laser be used for acne spots?
In addition to IPL, the Lumenis M22 features various Nd:YAG laser techniques. At Medikadermis, I work with the Multi-Spot Nd:YAG for vascular indications and the Q-Switched Nd:YAG for pigment indications, among others.
These additional options are particularly interesting when redness and pigmentation occur together and a treatment is tailored to the skin condition.
What is the difference between pigment spots and acne scars?
At a pigment spot after acne It is mainly the color of the skin that has changed. The skin may still be completely smooth. With an atrophic acne scar, the structure has also changed, and you may see or feel, for example, a dimple or depression.
That difference is important because pigment and changes in skin structure are treated differently.
What can you do about pits after acne?
Pits after acne can be consistent with atrophic acne scars. With these scars, the structure of the skin has changed.
For suitable atrophic acne scars, I work at Medicadermis with ResurFX 1565 nm, a non-ablative fractional laser aimed at improving skin structure.
Read more about acne scars and pitting after acne →
Where can I get red and brown acne spots treated in The Hague?
Bee Medicadermis in The Hague You can come to me for the treatment of active acne and for red and brown spots that remain visible after acne. Also, if pigmentation or acne scars are present, I can look at the overall skin appearance during the skin assessment.
Depending on the skin, these include, among others Lumenis M22 IPL, medical peels, Nd:YAG laser treatments and ResurFX fractional laser possible
Scientific literature
For this article, I have used scientific publications on post-acne erythema, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and light and laser treatments.
Kalantari Y, Dadkhahfar S, Etesami I.
Post-acne erythema treatment: A systematic review of the literature.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2022;21(4):1379–1392.
Systematic review of treatments for post-acne erythema, including various light and laser treatments.
View the publication on PubMed
Wu X, Wang X, Wu X, et al.
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy Improves Acne-Induced Post-inflammatory Erythema and Hyperpigmentation: A Retrospective Study in Chinese Patients.
Dermatology and Therapy. 2022;12(5):1147–1156.
Research into IPL in patients with post-inflammatory erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after acne.
View the publication on PubMed
Elbuluk N, Grimes P, Chien A, et al.
The Pathogenesis and Management of Acne-Induced Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology.2021;22(6):829–836.
Overview of the origin and treatment of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after acne.
View the publication on PubMed
Kashetsky N, Feschuk A, Pratt ME.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: A systematic review of treatment outcomes.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2024;38(3):470–479.
Systematic review of various treatment methods for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
View the publication on PubMed
Auffret N, Leccia MT, Ballanger F, Claudel JP, Dahan S, Dréno B.
Acne-induced Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: From Grading to Treatment.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 2025;105:adv42925.
Recent publication on the assessment and treatment of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after acne.
View the publication on PubMed
Liu H, Zhang L, Gao Z, et al.
Comparison of the Efficacy of Low-Energy Delicate Pulsed Light and Q-Switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG Laser in the Treatment of Post-Acne Erythema: A Prospective Randomized Split-Face Study.
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2025;57(9):716–725.
Randomized split-face study of pulsed light treatment and 1064 nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG in post-acne erythema.
View the publication on PubMed
Cho SB, Park SJ, Kim JS, et al.
A retrospective analysis of the management of acne post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation using topical treatment, laser treatment, or combination topical and laser treatments in oriental patients.
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2011.
Research into various treatment modalities for acne-related post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, including 1064 nm Q-Switched Nd:YAG.
View the publication on PubMed