It's easy to think that a three-day holiday gives you time to clear up your skin. However, in the clinic, we see many people whose marks have actually darkened after the holiday. This is because red marks can settle in if left untreated or improperly handled.
Why do red marks remain?
When acne develops, inflammation occurs in that area. While inflammation is present, the blood vessels in that area are dilated, making the skin appear red.
Areas with severe inflammation go a step further. If tissue damage was deep, marks can remain even after the redness subsides, and some of these can harden into scars.
Common traits of those whose marks linger particularly long
Even with the same acne, the duration of remaining marks varies from person to person. If you fall into the categories below, recovery may be slower:
- If your skin is thin and has reduced self-healing ability
- If you picked at acne with your hands, damaging surrounding collagen
- If your skin barrier is usually compromised, leading to slow recovery
Red marks can also be an early sign of scars
Red acne marks are often an early stage of scarring. And once a scar has settled, you should consider it to be permanent.
What you do during this period can determine the next few years.
Common mistaken treatments during holidays
Many methods circulating online or among acquaintances are not factual.
Self-extraction is a prime example. If you try to squeeze red, raised acne yourself, the inflammation will not subside but rather worsen.
Peeling also requires caution. There are peels suitable for acne and peels that only cause irritation. If you find it difficult to judge, it's better to avoid touching it and first seek ways to calm the inflammation.
Some marks don't fade with home care
Even with continuous care throughout the holiday, deep and dark red marks may not lighten easily. If your return to work is approaching, seeking help from a laser might be a more reasonable option.
Vbeam Laser selectively destroys only dilated, abnormal blood vessels. One or two treatments can accelerate the fading of red marks, reducing the time spent covering them with makeup.
It is known to act only on the underlying blood vessels without affecting the skin barrier, so its application range is wide:
- Red marks and early scars left by acne
- Facial redness where the entire face turns red
- Red scars remaining after surgery or procedures
There is almost no bruising or swelling, so even if you receive it at the end of a holiday, it tends to have minimal impact on daily life.
In summary
Marks that are neglected or improperly handled can later remain as depressed scars or hyperpigmentation, taking several times longer to remove.
The holiday period is a time when you can steer the direction before marks solidify. Start by not touching them, and if you have persistent redness, consider treatment at that point.