How long does it take for acne scars to fade naturally?
Disease description:
Last year, I broke out with many acne lesions on my face. Because I thought they looked unattractive, I squeezed them myself. Now, the post-acne marks are very noticeable. I’d like to ask: How long does it typically take for post-acne marks to fade?
Doctor's answer (2)
Dr. Liu Yong
Hello,
Post-acne marks are generally categorized into three types: red marks, dark (hyperpigmented) marks, and atrophic acne scars (“pockmarks”). The time required for spontaneous resolution varies depending on the type and severity of the mark.
Red marks reflect active inflammation from recent acne lesions; once the inflammation subsides, these typically fade over 1–3 months before transitioning into dark marks. Dark marks, in turn, usually take 3–6 months to gradually resolve as the excess pigment is naturally absorbed.
However, if inflammatory acne triggers the formation of atrophic scars (pockmarks) and these are not treated promptly, they may persist indefinitely on the skin—unlike red or dark marks, pockmarks do not resolve spontaneously.
We hope this information is helpful. Wishing you good health!
