Acne Pigment Spots

Pigment (melanin) is produced in the skin (in melanocyte cells) as a natural result of skin injury. The injury could be a cut or a burn or an infection, such as acne. Pigment is brown to dark brown in color. This should not be confused with temporary red marks that are produced by the infection and the healing process. Dark spots can also be caused or exaggerated by hormones within the skin. Dark skin is especially prone to pigment spots resulting from inflammation. Increased hormonal production during pregnancy may cause pigment marks from infections to be darker and last longer.

Acne is an injury (infection) that can result in pigment spots. Depending upon the severity of the injury, the spot may remain visible four to ten weeks. If the acne infection is slow to heal (as a result of chemical imbalances in the skin) the pigment marks can be darker and may last eight to twelve weeks.

People with moderate to severe acne become systemically (bodily) deficient in chemicals needed to prevent acne and prevent pigment spots. Zinc, as discussed in other sections, can block many of the conditions that promote acne. Zinc also acts to inhibit the production of pigment. Since this chemical is lacking in the skin of people with moderate to severe acne, hyperpigmentation can become a secondary problem.

Preventing Pigment Spots:

Pigment spots are a direct result of acne infections and therefore reducing or eliminating acne will reduce or eliminate the problems with pigment spots. Rather than attempting to treat or lighten the pigment, the problem is best resolved by controlling or eliminating the cause, which is acne and allowing the pigment spots to resolve themselves naturally.

The use of benzoyl peroxide products generates free radicals in the skin and interferes with and slows the healing process. The red and brown marks that are a part of the acne healing process may last weeks longer when benzoyl peroxide is a regular part of the daily regimen. Benzoyl peroxide promotes hyperpigmentation and people with medium to dark skin who use benzoyl peroxide on a regular basis may also experience an increase in the hyperpigmentation caused by acne infections. (See the Acne Tips or the Benzoyl Peroxide Skin Damage page for more information on benzoyl peroxide.) (Skintactix products contain NO benzoyl peroxide.)

Red Spots:

People with light skin usually develop red to purple marks at the sites of infections and these marks can last eight to ten weeks. The spots are part of the normal healing process and specifically caused by the volume of free radicals produced during the skin's repair. The use of Green Tea Poultice will act with the other products to prevent acne and act to speed the healing process and gradually lighten the red spots. This product is rich in zinc and other essential ingredients to promote rapid healing. Dietary protein and a volume of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables also promote the speed of the healing process.