Dealing with active acne is difficult enough, but the marks left behind after the breakout heals can be just as frustrating.

At Deco De Mode, we see this every day. You might have cleared the acne, but you are left with uneven texture, shallow pits, or persistent red and brown marks.

The good news is that while scarring takes patience to treat, mild scarring is highly responsive to the right evidence-based care.

What Is “Mild” Acne Scarring?

When an acne cyst or pimple forms, it causes intense inflammation and damage to the skin tissue. As the skin tries to heal that damage, it produces collagen.

If the body produces too little collagen, a depression or pit forms. If it produces too much, a raised scar forms.

Mild scarring usually refers to superficial texture changes. These are shallow indentations that might not be visible in soft light but make the skin look uneven in harsh lighting or when wearing foundation.

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A Note on “Dark Spots” (PIH)

Many people confuse scarring with the red or brown marks left behind after a pimple. This is called Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH).

While these aren't technically "scars" (they are pigment changes, not texture changes), they often occur alongside scarring. We treat both, but the approach is slightly different.

Signs You Are Dealing with Mild Scarring

Note: If you have very deep, narrow "ice-pick" holes or painful raised keloids, we recommend seeing a dermatologist. For widespread texture and shallow marks, our aesthetic treatments are ideal.

Wavy Texture: Your skin looks smooth to the touch but appears "rolling" or uneven in the mirror.
Makeup Setting Poorly: Foundation seems to "sink" into tiny holes rather than sitting on top of the skin.
Shallow Pits: You see small, box-like depressions, usually on the cheeks or temples.
Lingering Color: Red, purple, or brown spots that have lasted months after the pimple is gone.

Causes & Prevention

Why do some people scar and others don't?

Inflammation Severity

The deeper and more inflamed the breakout (like cystic acne), the higher the risk of scarring.

Genetics

Some skin types are simply prone to losing collagen during healing.

Picking and Squeezing

This is the #1 preventable cause. Forcing a pimple damages surrounding tissue and spreads bacteria deeper.

Sun Exposure

UV rays break down collagen and make dark spots (PIH) darker and longer-lasting.

At-Home Routine That Helps

  • Sun Protection (SPF 30+): UV light damages the collagen you are trying to rebuild. Scars will not fade if they are constantly exposed to the sun.
  • Retinoids (Vitamin A): The gold standard for home care. Retinoids speed up cell turnover and can help smooth very superficial texture over time.
  • Vitamin C: Excellent for fading the red and brown pigment marks associated with scars.
  • Chemical Exfoliation (AHAs): Ingredients like Glycolic Acid help resurface the very top layer of skin, keeping it soft and helping with discoloration.
  • Hydration: Keep the skin barrier healthy. Dry, irritated skin heals slower and looks more textured.
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Professional Treatments for Smoothing Texture

Home care works on the surface, but to treat indentations, we need to work deeper to stimulate collagen production. These are the treatments at Deco De Mode specifically suited for mild scarring and texture issues:

Microneedling (Collagen Induction)This is widely considered the most effective non-surgical treatment for acne scarring. By creating microscopic channels in the skin, we trigger a natural healing response. Your body rushes to repair these channels by producing new, fresh collagen, which helps "fill in" shallow scars and tighten pores.

HydraFacial MD While HydraFacial is primarily for maintenance and hydration, it is excellent for improving general skin health and treating the congestion that causes acne in the first place, preventing future scarring.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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