How to Fade Body Acne Scars

September 13, 2026

By: Lauren Sindel

Treating body acne scars starts with identifying the specific type of mark left behind. 

Red acne marks are best treated with topicals like alpha hydroxy acids, niacinamide, and retinoids, while raised body acne scars require clinical treatments such as cryotherapy.

Here’s how to identify your scar type and choose the best treatment to clear body acne scars. 

What are Body Acne Scars?

Body acne scars are basically marks left on your skin after a breakout clears. They can look different depending on which type you have. Here are the most common types of post-acne marks and scars:

• Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH): Flat tan, brown, or dark spots caused by increased melanin production following inflammation. PIH is particularly common in deeper skin tones.

• Hypertrophic Scars: Firm, raised scars that remain within the boundaries of the original acne lesion.

• Keloids: Raised scars that extend beyond the original area of skin injury. They are particularly common on areas such as the chest and shoulders.

• Atrophic Scars: Indented or pitted scars caused by a loss of collagen and underlying skin tissue during the healing process.

How to Tell What Type of Body Acne Scar You Have

Not sure whether you’re looking at a scar or a dark spot? Start with the texture.

If the area is completely flat but darker than the surrounding skin, you’re likely dealing with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation rather than a true scar. If it’s flat but red, pink, or purple, it’s more likely a post-inflammatory color change.

If you can feel a raised, firm area of skin, you may have a hypertrophic scar or keloid. If the skin looks indented, pitted, or uneven in texture, you may have an atrophic scar.

What Causes Body Acne Scars?

Body skin is thicker, receives lower blood supply, and experiences more friction than facial skin. So it’s especially prone to scarring. The biggest cause of post-acne body marks is picking and popping pimples. When you pick, you increase local inflammation and damage capillaries beneath the skin. This significantly darkens post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and delays cellular turnover, making body acne scars take much longer to fade.

Severe acne often scars simply through the body’s natural healing process. When deep cysts rupture, the resulting inflammation destroys surrounding collagen and skin tissue, leading to scarring.

How to Get Rid of Body Acne Scars

You may not be able to get rid of body acne scars entirely, but you can significantly reduce their appearance with the right skincare. 

Because different types require different care, we’re going to show you how to treat dark marks. For atrophic scars, we recommend visiting your dermatologist for professional, personalized advice. 

Here are Truly’s top tips for fading post-acne marks on the body. 

1. Cleanse With Chemical Acid Pads 

Regular body washes often struggle to penetrate thicker body skin. Look for leave-on chemical exfoliants containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like lactic and glycolic acid. These acids dissolve dead surface cells, accelerate cell turnover, and fade dark spots.

Even more convenient, Truly’s Strawberry Blossoms Exfoliating Pads with 5.5% Lactic + Glycolic Acid. You can use them outside the shower on areas with visible discoloration. These textured pads grab dirt, oil, and surface dead skin to leave you looking smoother and clearer within a few uses.

Start slowly if your skin is sensitive, and avoid using them on broken or irritated skin.

2. Strengthen Your Skin Barrier With Lightweight Hydration

Dry, dehydrated skin compensates by overproducing sebum, which leads to clogged pores and fresh breakouts that cause new scars. Keeping skin hydrated strengthens the barrier and speeds up natural healing.

Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic (it won’t clog your pores) moisturizer. It could be a body cream or serum. Just something that’s not too heavy or greasy which could cause further breakouts. 

Truly’s Unicorn Fruit Serum is a good option. It contains a hydrating blend of rose water, vitamin E, and amino acids to deliver all day moisture and instant dry skin relief without clogging pores.

Apply it after cleansing or exfoliating whenever your skin needs an extra dose of moisture.

3. Try a Targeted Dark Spot Treatment

If you’re dealing with flat dark marks left behind by body acne, a targeted brightening treatment can help improve the appearance of uneven pigmentation.

Some ingredients commonly used to target discoloration include niacinamide, vitamin C, kojic acid, and azelaic acid. 

All of these are packed inside Truly’s Laser Spot Dark Spot Treatment, a clinically proven body serum that visibly improves the look of dark spots within 4 weeks. 

Thanks to a slew of proven ingredients, this serum helps interrupt pigmentation production and promote skin cell renewal for clearer, more even-toned skin.

4. Apply Sunscreen 

We know you know this but just a quick little reminder: always wear sunscreen. 

UV exposure signals skin cells to produce more melanin, turning fresh pink or light brown marks into permanent dark spots. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily to any exposed body areas.

Don’t like sticky sunscreens that leave a white mark? Try a sunscreen like Truly’s Solar Baby SPF 45 Invisible Sunscreen Oil, which is weightless, invisible, and so hydrating with broad spectrum SPF 45 protection. 

Pay particular attention to areas that are regularly exposed to the sun, such as your chest, shoulders, and arms.

5. Don’t Pick or Pop Your Pimples

We know. It’s tempting. But squeezing a stubborn body pimple can increase inflammation and damage the surrounding skin, making post-acne discoloration and scarring more likely.

If you’re trying to fade existing marks, preventing new ones is just as important as treating the old ones. Instead of picking, leave the breakout alone and use an appropriate acne treatment. If you regularly get painful, deep, or cystic body acne, speak with a dermatologist about treatment options.

6. Treat Active Body Acne

You can’t fully break the acne cycle if new breakouts keep appearing. Treating active acne helps reduce the inflammation that can lead to new post-acne marks and scars.

Use a cleanser and topical treatment with ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, and retinoids.

Focus your acne routine on the areas where you regularly break out, such as your chest, back, shoulders, or buttocks.

If your acne is persistent, painful, deep, or leaving significant scars, a dermatologist can help determine the best treatment for you.

7. Be Consistent and Patient

Consistency is key when it comes to seeing results from any skincare product or routine. Too many people give up a couple of weeks in because they’re not seeing significant results. 

Skin cell turnover on the body takes roughly 28 to 40 days. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using any topical treatment consistently for at least 4 to 6 weeks before evaluating your results.

Professional Treatments for Body Acne Scars

Skincare can help improve the appearance of flat post-acne marks, but true acne scars may require professional treatment.

A dermatologist can determine which treatment is appropriate based on your scar type, skin tone, location, and severity. Depending on the type of scar, professional treatments may include:

• Chemical peels: Professional-grade chemical solutions to exfoliate the skin and improve certain types of discoloration and texture.
• Microneedling: Uses tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries that stimulate the skin’s natural healing response and collagen production.
• Laser treatments: Different lasers can target pigmentation, redness, or uneven scar texture.
• Corticosteroid injections: Often used for raised hypertrophic scars and keloids to help flatten them.
• Cryotherapy: Freezing treatment that may be used for certain raised scars and keloids.
• Scar surgery: In some cases, a dermatologist may recommend a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of an individual scar.

A dermatologist can recommend the approach that’s safest and most appropriate for your skin.

When Should You See a Dermatologist?

Consider seeing a dermatologist if you have:

• Deep, painful, or cystic body acne
• Acne that continues to leave new scars
• Raised scars or keloids
• Noticeable pitted or indented scars
• Dark marks that aren't improving with consistent skincare
• Acne that keeps returning despite your routine
• Scarring that’s affecting your confidence or quality of life

The sooner severe acne is treated, the better your chances of preventing additional scarring.

How to Prevent Body Acne Scars

The best way to deal with body acne scars is to prevent new ones from forming.

Start treating body acne before breakouts become severe, avoid picking or popping pimples, and protect exposed skin from UV radiation.

It’s also worth paying attention to everyday sources of friction and irritation. Tight clothing, sweaty workout clothes, backpacks, and equipment that repeatedly rub against the skin can aggravate acne-prone areas.

After exercising, change out of sweaty clothing and cleanse your skin when practical. Choose breathable clothing when possible, particularly if you regularly experience breakouts on your chest, back, or buttocks.

Most importantly, don’t wait until a breakout becomes painful or severe before addressing it.

Body acne scars don’t all require the same treatment. Flat dark or red marks can often become less noticeable with consistent skincare, while raised and indented scars may require professional treatment.

Focus on treating active acne, avoiding picking, using targeted ingredients consistently, and protecting your skin from the sun. With patience and the right routine, you can help your skin look smoother, clearer, and more even over time.

Sources

American Academy of Dermatology: Acne Scars

Acne-induced Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: From Grading to Treatment (2025)

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