SITA Medical Clinic · Lat Lum Kaeo, Pathum Thani
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Daily 08:00–19:30 · 082 474 2969
Dark Spots · DARK SPOTS & POST-INFLAMMATORY MARKS
Dark marks may appear after acne, an inflamed rash, chickenpox, scratching or other skin injuries. What remains today may not tell the whole story of what happened to the skin before.
Before deciding how to care for a mark, it helps to distinguish changes in colour from changes in texture, and to consider whether inflammation is still present.
Assessment first, then an individual care plan
This page provides general information for understanding. It does not offer a diagnosis or individual treatment advice.
BEFORE · PAST EVENT
An episode of skin inflammation or injury, such as acne, a rash, chickenpox or a scratch.
NOW · CURRENT MARK
A change in colour or a mark that is still visible after the earlier event has passed.
The inflammation or wound may have healed while a change in colour or a mark remains visible. Sometimes, the original problem and the marks are present at the same time.
Distinguishing the two helps clarify whether care is addressing what remains, what is still happening, or both.
Each event may leave changes in colour, texture or both. Not every episode leaves a mark.
Some inflamed spots may leave dark or red marks. Some people also develop changes in skin texture.
Chickenpox spots may leave changes in colour, texture or both. Not every spot leaves a mark.
Scratching, picking or a healed superficial wound may leave a dark mark or skin that looks different from the surrounding area. This varies with the person and the wound.
Skin injured during a procedure may develop dark marks, redness, lighter areas or changes in texture. These changes are not all the same.
Marks may remain when inflammation or scratching is involved. Not every bite leaves a mark.
Dermatitis or significant irritation from products or contact with other substances may leave dark marks in some people.
Similar-looking marks may represent different changes. A doctor needs to assess whether they involve colour, texture or both.
This information supports the conversation. It is not a scale for grading the marks.
The main visible change is in the colour of that area of skin.
The change is in the surface texture of that area of skin.
Marks after acne, chickenpox or a wound should not automatically be called “dark marks” or “scars” simply because they look similar.
Chickenpox spots or skin injuries may leave changes in colour, texture or both. Not every spot leaves a mark, and not every mark is a scar.
After an injury or certain procedures, skin may become darker, redder or lighter, or change in texture. These changes can differ and may need different considerations. This distinction is for understanding, not self-classification.
New acne spots appearing now
May coexist with
Dark marks from spots that have settled
Some people are concerned about dark marks from acne while new spots are still appearing. Having marks does not mean the acne has ended. If new spots continue, new marks may also develop.
Where to begin depends on an assessment of your skin at that time. There is no single sequence that suits everyone.
Appear after inflammation or injury in that area of skin.
Often appear as broader patches and have their own context.
The terms “dark marks” and “melasma” should not automatically be used interchangeably.
Some brown spots, such as freckles, have a different context from marks left after inflammation, even when they look similar at first glance.
Dark marks after skin inflammation or injury may gradually fade over time, but the time needed varies greatly between individuals.
Unsuitable skin care, scratching, picking or repeated irritation may make the marks more noticeable.
This page does not specify how many days, weeks or sessions it will take for marks to fade. There is no single timeline that applies to everyone.
These are factors that may be considered during assessment. They are not a self-checklist or diagnostic criteria.
With a fuller understanding of the context, care can be planned around the individual.
What happened before the marks appeared
Colour, texture and any coexisting concerns
According to individual needs
Observe changes over time
Dark acne marks involve colour that remains after a spot has settled. Pitted acne scars involve a change in skin texture. Both can follow acne, and some people have both in the same area.
Because these are different concerns, the considerations may differ. For acne scars and texture, visit the acne page
Post-inflammatory dark marks are usually related to something that previously happened in that area. Melasma often appears as broader patches and has its own context.
Some people have both at the same time, so an in-person skin assessment is helpful. Read more on the melasma page
Freckles are often small, separate brown spots. Post-inflammatory dark marks follow inflammation or injury in the affected area.
Explaining when the marks first appeared and what happened beforehand can help clarify the distinction. Read more on the freckles page
Dark marks after skin inflammation or injury may gradually fade over time. However, the time needed varies greatly, and no single timeline applies to everyone.
If inflammation persists or skin care is unsuitable, marks may become more noticeable or new marks may develop. An assessment helps determine whether to allow more time, monitor changes or plan care.
No single sequence suits everyone. If new acne spots are still appearing, new marks may develop at the same time.
Where to begin depends on your skin’s condition at the time of assessment. For more about the order of acne care, visit the acne page
Photographs can make it easier to show what you see, but lighting, camera angles and editing may change the apparent colour. A photograph also cannot explain what happened to the skin beforehand.
Care options and outcomes depend on the skin’s condition, the nature of the concern and each person’s circumstances. They should therefore be considered after an in-person skin assessment.
Care approaches and outcomes depend on each person’s skin, health, concerns and circumstances. This content provides general information for understanding. It is not a diagnosis or a treatment prescription. Consult a doctor for an individual assessment.
You do not need to name the concern correctly or choose a care approach before coming in.
Start by sharing what your skin went through before the marks appeared, such as acne, chickenpox, scratching or previous procedures. A doctor can then assess your skin as it is on the day.