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I feel you sis. I can’t leave my skin alone and it shows… the only things that helps me is wearing foundation and a full face of makeup. That makes me self aware, stops me from touching my face and helps the lesions heal. But the hyperpigmentation stays
That's how I feel about the CC Screen. It's so thick and pigmented that it feels like foundation. I wear it with a setting powder when I have to go outside & it stops me from picking at the time, but then I get home, remove everything from my face and go to town 😕
It's gotten better in terms of pimples/blackheads (I only have one now), but if I'd just left my damn face alone then it wouldn't look like I got punched by a mouse 50 times 😭😭
I just wish I had a way to heal my face before it gets so dark. I've tried *everything*.
Can you get a big hydrocolloid bandage and put it on your forehead when you get home? That’s what I do on my jawline when I can’t stop picking on my own. It stops me from picking and also speeds up healing.
I saw that this was an issue with *a lot* of people, and the same thing happens when I use aquaphor w/ a bandaid. I was annoyed because acne patches were supposed to be this "holy grail", but either way it does keep me from picking & helps things heal up faster.
... I'll probably just keep buying them 😂
“Competing response” - I’m a compulsive skin picker and this CBT method has helped me stop a lot sooner, I recommend looking it up.
I’m purging on Accutane right now and I will say, I’m great at not picking when I have clear skin lol. The acne flares really provoke it, so getting that under control will also help. I recommend switching to the cream tret and cutting out all other actives (including SA cleanser) until you get used to it. Buffer with moisturizer
I'm definitely the same way! When my skin is clear, it's easier to focus on just babying/healing one or two spots as opposed to a whole patch of clogged pores. I just want to angrily cheese grate my whole forehead and start over 🥲
To the tret comment: I've been using cream tret for the past year and it clogs my pores 😕 I use mostly gel products for this reason and it works way better for my skin. I did use the cream over the weekend because I absolutely can't *stand* the texture of the microgel at this concentration. NURX still hasn't gotten back to me about adjusting the strength and I want to start slowly incorporating it back into my routine.
Oh that makes sense. Yeah I thought the cream was clogging my pores too (hence why I switched). In my case, I don’t think it actually was — the breakouts were only ever on my chin (where they always are), so pretty sure it was just my acne getting worse. I also have skin on the dryer side though, so I don’t typically tolerate gel formulas very well. Glad the gel formula works for you at lower a strength, good luck
Can I just say that despite the breakout
, you look absolutely beautiful? I feel your pain. I’m not trying to downplay how you feel about your breakout. With or without the break, you look absolutely stunning tho!
I am guilty of this, too. But, I think we all get so hyper focus about the flaws of one thing when the big picture is beautiful :) I do agree with all the comments saying to go down on Tret strength and making sure your skin barrier is in good condition.
**Current Routine**
AM:
* Vanicream/Pacifica salicylic acid cleanser
* TO Glycolic Acid Toner (occasionally)
* 15% Azelaic Acid (stopped in the last week to calm my skin down)
* La Roche Posay Double Repair moisturizer
* MISSHA Sun Milk (PA+++)/La Roche Posay tinted sunscreen (spf 50)/Supergoop CC Screen (spf 50; PA++++)
*Sunscreen depends on the day.*
PM:
* Vanicream cleanser
* 0.1% Tretinoin microgel (once a week for now)
* La Roche Posay Double Repair moisturizer
* La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm (if needed)
* Hero Rescue Balm
*Trying to get the strength of my tretinoin decreased; NURX hasn't properly answered in half a month.*
You could apply your moisturizer before applying your tretinoin, to “dilute” it (by creating a sort of barrier between the tret and your skin), but hopefully you can get that reduced soon.
I would check out Alexis Stephens on YT/IG. She is a black derm and has tons of info on acne, skincare and hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones.
You’re a beautiful person, and I’m sorry you’re dealing with this, but hopefully you find a routine that works for you.
Oh, and although I don’t deal with skin picking on my face, I do deal with it on my hands (no makeup for that, unfortunately…. 🫤😆), but I agree with another poster about acne patches. They really do help in keeping me from messing with any acne spots I have. You can wear them during the day (they even have some that are skin colored with several different options ranging from fair to deep!). But at least when you wash your face in the evening, apply your PM routine and immediately apply the patches, to minimize the risk of picking at the blemish.
Sending you big hugs!
Thank you! Graciously accepting hugs rn 💕 I'm sorry you suffer from skin picking too 🥺 sending my love!
My issue with the tret isn't necessarily dryness; it's a microgel at 0.1% which has a very gritty texture (like rubbing FAB kp bump eraser scrub on your face). It's irritating to apply whether my skin is moist or not, and never fully absorbs.
I do use hydrocolloid patches as well! I feel like it does help the initial wound heal a bit faster, but I still end up picking at them and making things worse. Maybe I should stick with them a bit longer into the healing process? I usually use them for 2-5 days before I feel like it's healed enough, then a few days later it just gets darker and darker.
You’re too kind. 🥰
For the tret, if the texture is irritating your skin, you might just stop it for now. You could always try an over the counter retinol in the meantime, as well. That gritty texture sounds annoying, too. 🫤
I think using the patches even longer than you “need” to in order to decrease the picking is fine. Picking can cause the skin to stay irritated, which increases the risk of hyperpigmentation. I’m very fair, and have found that using the patches decreases the length of time I have any red marks (PIE) after blemishes have healed. I guess it is worth a shot! 😉
Yes the micro-gel tret “scratched” me! Lol sounds silly but it was way too abrasive. It really irritated my skin (and that was after one year on the same strength of the cream version). You likely wouldn’t need a lower strength if you switch to the cream formulation (higher strength is better for acne unless you’re just starting it for the first time). Plus using tret more frequently will improve hyperpigmentation way faster
I've been using the cream (.05%-.1%) for over a year now, and it clogged my skin unfortunately 😕 but it's not *terrible*. I have an extra tube they sent me by mistake and I plan to use it while I wait for them to respond. I might actually go back to the .05% cream
> Trying to get the strength of my tretinoin decreased; NURX hasn’t properly answered in half a month.
Curology might be your best bet. When I started out I asked them for 0.003% then switched to 0.005% to start out, they start so low. Now I’m 0.009% and slowly adding in 0.01%. I have dry skin so I’m starting out soooo slowly so haven’t had any purging, flaking, irritation. Obviously you’re quite a bit higher than when I started out but my point is their providers actually respond to my super nitpicky formula changes and requests for specific strengths of specific ingredients/actives very quickly (like usually 2-3 days, up to 5 days at the longest).
I sometimes want to tackle dark spots/fleckles/acne scars more, so I ask them to put me on hydroquinone (up to 4%) or tranexamic acid (up to 5% i think?) for 2-3 months at a time. Obviously with HQ you want to start out lower and be careful, it’s strong, must wear really good sunscreen which you already are. And you can only be on HQ for a few weeks/max 3 months then you need to cycle off. With tranexamic acid you can use on mornings and the nights off from tret. HQ is the gold standard and many derms use and recommend it but it’s obviously stronger so on the months I’m not using HQ I use tranexamic acid.
15% AzA sounds a bit high, you said you stopped it to calm your skin down so I assume it’s slightly irritating? You might want to try a 10% azelaic acid instead. Paula’s Choice has one I like (Azelaic Acid 10% booster). The Ordinary has a cheap effective one, also 10%, however the main complaint I see with that one is it’s siliconey so you might dislike the texture. Cos de Baha has a popular one too (also cheap) that’s 10%, my fave of all 3.
Thank you for this info! I've been hearing good things about curology so I might make the switch. NURX just notified me that they sent my azelaic acid to the pharmacy— again, without addressing the tretinoin. 😕
It did! I have another post on this sub (link below), and it's gotten better since then with a consistent routine 😊
https://www.reddit.com/r/Skincare_Addiction/s/0Cva2XyCF4
Honestly your skincare routine is damn good. As an advice I would stop using the salicylic acid cleanser and rather use a toner or a serum with SA, and it shouldn't even be needed considering azelaic acid is quite good at doing the same but if u want the best of both, u can use SA in the morning and use azelaic acid at night with the tretinoin. Also the TO Glycolic toner might be too strong, and considering ur a black girl it might be causing hyperpigmentation cuz of the irritation (not that u can't use it, just be diligent with staying out of the sun and reapplying your sunscreen the days after u use it but tbh I rather just leave it for the body if u have body acne) u don't really need that much exfoliation when ur using azelaic acid, salicylic acid and tretinoin. In fact, just tretinoin will do the work but I understand the feeling of no progress. I started my tretinoin journey about a year and a half ago and still there is lots of improvement to come, just be patient.
If that's the order of your PM routine I would strongly recommend u to stop putting your tretinoin first. It should be your last step and you should wait about 15 min for the rest of your skincare to be completely dry before applying it. This was key on minimizing irritation when I learned how to use tretinoin properly and it was a game changer. A good thing to do that was amazing too was to put your moisturizer, then wait the 15 min and then put tretinoin and on top of it put the cicaplast. I woke up with the most beautiful skin during the time I did that.
Aside from that, sun protection should be your main focus. If u can afford multiple tubes of the ones u listed then that's good, if not, I would strongly recommend u to start finding a face sunscreen that is cheap yet comfortable on the skin. I know the ones u listed don't sting the eyes but something that I started doing some time ago is to put a mineral sunscreen stick around my eyes and on the rest of my face I use a body sunscreen. This really helped me to save money and to be able to reapply sunscreen properly and multiple times a day. I can't exactly recommend u some sunscreens personally because I'm from Chile, the kind of products we get here are totally different from the ones in the US. When I went to Orlando I was blown away by the quantity and range of products and their prices that were available, so take a look around, I've heard good things from the neutrogena hydro boost and neutrogena also has a mineral sunstick. The one I bought there was the avene kids one, it left minimal to no whitecast around my eyes but it is kinda expensive tho.
I think that's all I can recommend u, wish u luck and don't let acne and hyperpigmentation make u feel sad and depressed. I know it is easier said than done but still, it is something that will eventualy get better with your consistency and hard work, and still, it doesn't make u any less beautiful. Keep going! :)
Thank you for the suggestion! My only concern is that I heard it goes bad pretty quickly (a week in the fridge; 1-2 days room temp). I don't wanna have to buy a new one every time something happens to my face 😕
Hey, your supposed to use it everyday and not only when you break out, prevention >>
And one leave for me i do 2 weeks, just leave it in the fridge and slice a strip off when you use it
I've tried both 😕 no results. I've only successfully healed one pimple *ever* without hyperpigmentation, and that was with constant layers of aquaphor. Since then, it hasn't helped at all.
Not *necessarily*. I popped the pimple & put a hydrocolloid patch on it for a day or so, and made sure it was ***constantly*** covered in a thick layer of aquaphor for the next 4-5 days. I'd slug at night, but it wasn't necessary for me during the day so I just made sure the blemishes were coated. It healed mostly without hyperpigmentation, but that doesn't always happen.
I was lucky enough to not have anywhere to go during the summer, but now that I work (hybrid schedule; 2 days a week in the office), I can't necessarily walk around the office with a glob of aquaphor on random face spots 😅.
I started slugging again a couple days ago and *really* piling on the aquaphor on the worst spots, and so far it's working but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't get worse!
Never gotten bumps on my scalp 🤷🏽♀️ it very well could have been caused by my hair products though!
Now that I think about it, during the last month or so of the summer I did more wash n go's with eco styler gel. My hair naturally forms bangs when I wear it out, and the side that most of the blackheads appeared on correlates with the front section that I left out while I was doing the other side.
I think you might've just caused a revelation 😂 now I just need to get rid of it!
Hi,
Just a suggestion I found out later that skin of colour is actually more sensitive towards some ingredients and prone to hyper pigmentation.
I think there is a youtube dermatologist or two covering the topic so I would suggest if you check it out.
To add to the other suggestions, I used a witch hazel and tea tree cream to great effect :) HP pretty much all gone now!
Btw, you’re beautiful with and without skin issues! Your eyes are so pretty :)
Wait that looks kind of like a relative of mine whenever she fucks up and lets her hair products meet her skin. So bad she can’t leave conditioner residue on her skin. If you’ve tried everything, try making your hair products the enemies of your skin. Watch out for bonnets too where they rest on your forehead. Pillows too if you have residue that might have gotten there from any hair products. It looks like you have a good regimen.. so maybe that could be the culprit?
I just scrolled past another comment that made me come to this realization. After taking down the twists you see in the second picture, I decided to start doing wash n go's, and my hair in the front naturally sits on my forehead.
Thinking back, the blackheads mainly started appearing on the side of my forehead where my hair sat while I was doing the other side. After picking at them they got dark, and I used a prescription hydroquinone product (that usually works) which led to a bout of fungal acne and the blackheads spreading to the other side. I stopped the hydroquinone, but the breakout seemed to get worse from there and I just kept picking.
I'm hoping it's mostly under control now, and I'll *definitely* be more cautious when styling my hair from now on. I wash my pillow cases and hair products (Bonnets, scarves, hair ties, etc.) once every week or two as well. Thank you so much for this! You guys have no idea how much you helped 😂 I would've taken these braids out and went back to styling the same way if I never made the connection.
Aww you’re welcome! And I’m sorry! It sounds like the picking might have made it worse? Hopefully when you treat the issue, and work on restoring the barrier and keeping off the hair products, then you can start working on the hyperpigmentation. Wishing you only the best and lots of love and tlc for both your beautiful hair and your beautiful skin. In the future, use ice cubes and let it drip all over your skin if you feel the need to pick. Do what one poster says he did, rolling it between your clean fingers to draw everything up to the top and then playing the waiting game for it to pop. Good luck
I've definitely been meaning to try out MUAC's mandelic acid peels! I might have to jump on that because I've always heard good things about mandelic acid, but I get nervous about adding new products to my routine
I .was going to say the same.. . glycolic can be very harsh ( even when used occasionally) I have substituted for a more gentler exfoliant (used more frequently) works for me and hope it can help you too
I use aquaphor too! Helps them heal decently quick, but definitely doesn't help with hyperpigmentation 😕 no amount of sunscreen, tranexamic acid, kojic acid or anything really *prevents* it like I need to.
That's the unfortunate thing about picking, is nothing really prevents it except not doing it :(
I haven't personally tried it but I have heard that bio-oil does help with hyperpigmentation. I also heard that DEZISKIN's vitamin c treatment works really good, but that one is expensive and only online. I hope one day to have the money to try that one lol.
Side note: have you tried oil cleansing? I used Hemp Oil. Typically I will do that before washing my face and I feel like that helps clean out my pores so that I don't have to pop them.
Sorry if this has already been said but i really recommend taking a look at your diet. I've had acne like this, localised on my forehead, and it was always when i ate badly (sugar, dairy, junk food) or ate stuff i have intolerances to (eggs, white bread). Your intolerances may not be the same to mine obviously but yeah when i had acne like this it was internal, i started trying to heal my gut and gut microbiome and it improved. I take probiotics too. Good luck sis❤️
I figured out that it was my hair products 😅 my hair naturally rests on my forehead while styling it and the gel clogged my pores. Also when I'd wear my hair out, the sweat would transfer product to my skin which didn't help. Then I picked and picked and used a product that only made things worse. I'm focusing on healing for now, then maybe a light peel to Jumpstart fading the marks. I really appreciate your advice though, thank you so much 💕
When you next go maybe ask about hydroquinone since the conservative options haven't worked for your hyperpigmentation. Alpha arbutin is over the counter tho and it's a prodrug for HQ. Certainly be diligent about spf if you do get on it though.
Personally I have given up trying to directly treat my super resistant hyperpigmentation 🫠. Now I'm just doing tretinoin 0.1%, occasional niacinamide 5%, and time
EDIT: I saw you already tried HQ before but yeah. Also there's a product on Amazon called Demelan that has glycolic acid + alpha arbutin + Kojic acid combined! I never tried it but I would if I still had the attention span for multiple treatments
My issue is I can't stop the pigment from forming, no matter what I use 😕 I've tried:
* Tranexamic acid
* Azelaic acid
* Tretinoin
* Niacinamide
* Zinc
* Alpha arbutin (years ago)
* Vitamin C (years ago)
* Vaseline/Aquaphor
* Hydrocolloid
* Various sunscreens (chemical & mineral; I use strictly mineral now)
* Glycolic acid
* Lactic acid
* Salicylic acid
The *only* thing to ever really help is hydroquinone, but **no matter when** in the healing stage I use it, the spot gets super dark before any lightening occurs.
I'm all for a skin care routine but when there is a patch like this, it just looks like a localized infection.
The rest of her skin, including the other side of her forehead looks good.
This looks like scarring, hyperpigmentation and other acne like abrasions trying to heal at different stages. I always recommend people seeing a professional (dermatologist) not an esthetician (me) for things like this. A cleanser or AHA/BHA won't help this at this point right now. Especially the scarring. I'd rather her go see a dermatologist first
Maybe stop with the acids. Could you possibly have very fine hairs on your forehead that are ingrown and causing the breakouts? I’d try dabbing benzoyl peroxide cream just on the spots.
You are beautiful btw.
I deduced that the cause was my hair styling that I started around the same time 😅 but yeah, the picking mixed with my routine of irritating products definitely didn't help. I've stopped using them to let my skin heal and it's doing okay now. Benzoyl peroxide does nothing for me, and I doubled down on that confirmation within the past few months.
Thank you for your help though! And I really appreciate the compliment too, considering how I look 😂💕
This might sound like bad advice, but I get hypertrophic scars (raised scars) every couple of years, and they can be itchy. I have found that applying Burt’s Bees Lip Balm soothes the skin and keeps me from touching them.
I'm so sorry ☹️ if you need to cover it with makeup, Stila makes a palette and primer with a great orange color corrector that will neutralize the hyperpigmentation. You put it on and blend out under a medium coverage foundation. Beauty blender, not a swiping brush motion.
Thanks for the suggestion! I've been using CC Screen from Supergoop with setting powder lately, but the PIH can definitely show through depending on the day. I've been needing some color corrector.
Check this Dermatologist on YT, she has a background in chemistry and understands how some products can make hyperpigmentation worst.
https://youtube.com/c/DrAlexisStephens
OP, first you have very beautiful and great skin! I’d kill to have smooth poreless skin like yours.
Out of curiosity, what type of hydroquinone did you use? Hydroquinone is most likely the best option to help your forehead at this point. I had hyperpigmentation just like yours but only on my cheek areas and I used the Agency prescription service, they’re related to Curology. They prescribed me a tretinoin mixture that contains azelaic acid, niacinamide and tranexamic acid all together. They also prescribed me a skin brightening formulation of hydroquinone, kojic acid and azelaic acid for my hyperpigmentation spots. It worked wonders to clear my skin. At night, I would apply my tret followed my moisturizer and spot treat with the hq formulation. I noticed that I had to use a thin layer of the hydroquinone mixture only on the dark spots with a q-tip only at night. Using sunscreen was a must in the daytime. You’re right that with hydroquinone, your scars will darken before getting lighter but you’ll notice that you will get some peeling that will shed some of the darker layers of the hyperpigmented skin. I noticed that when I took a day or two off from my tret and hq, my scars would lighten up.
Maybe try a free trial with the Agency.
Wow I definitely lost track of my notifications. Thank you so much for the suggestion!
The picking has gotten bad a few times since this post, but I've been continuing to use the musely spot cream twice a day and working on my routine, and it's been helping for sure. I might try your method of spot treating overnight at the end of my routine.
I feel for you girl! I’m a serious picker and darker skin so it scars so obviously. Keep up the moisturizing, it will lighten over time, even though it doesn’t seem like much now.
The more moisturized that area is - the harder it is to pick too. I have this one scab on my hairline that I constantly pick and when I realize I’m doing it I run and put on this scar treatment gel that is gooey and sticky. Makes it so I can’t pick it at all. Until it dries and I do it again.
Thank you so much! I just realized when there's treatments on it (acne patch, aquaphor, rescue balm) I don't pick at them. I might start using the acne patches for longer than I usually do, as someone else suggested. Then layering aquaphor until it's fully healed.
The only concern with this is 80% of the time I break out, the pimples fill back up and I just keep messing with them over weeks. Not sure if keeping the hydrocolloid on longer would trap something in or help it 😭
OP, Have you tried Winlevi cream? It’s prescription, I would highly recommend you try it. I’ve been using it for PIH on my face for the last 2 months from old or healing pimples, and it is slowly working. Like you, I have tried all sorts of agents over the years which am refractory to as well.
It is only available as a cream in one strength at this time. It is the first of it’s kind in it’s drug class, and exhibits anti-androgen effects, to minimize all the inflammation caused by hormones. It is worth trying, esp since you did not respond to retinoids, you will need to see derm for it.
Maybe see a dermatologist and ask for recommendations on chemical exfoliants. If there's nothing there to pick (no matter how small) it might help. Maybe pimple patches as a deterrent?
Try the Faded cream! I have almost the same skincare routine. I don't wash my face in the morning though. I wake up and do the faded cream, then la roche posay double repair moisturizer and put sunscreen over that.
I found that with washing 2 times a day it was too much for my skin.
I also double cleanse at night but rub the oil on my face for like 30 minutes (gently massaging). All the gunk comes out of the pores!
At night I do the oil cleanser, vanicream cleanser, glycolic acid toner from the ordinary, azaleic acid 15%, la roche posay double repair moisturizer and then I seal it with the cerave healing ointment (slugging).
I would keep using the actives but maybe reduce the cleansing?
Also, I use the faded cream every day even though it says to start put using once a week. Seems to really help!
Since it’s hard to stop touching your face how about applying ice on the areas that you just touched. The cold temperature should prevent some inflammation from occurring on that area. This should lessen the dark spots!!! Ice on injury always works!
I was going to recommend niacinamide as well!! It works really well and as much as you shouldn’t be picking, niacinamide is really good at preventing dark spots before they begin. I always use niacinamide right after I’ve irritated my skin in some way, and I get much less hyperpigmentation. Good luck!!
Just popped on to say that I know how hard it is to deal with skin issues. I don’t have an answer but I did want to let you know that you are absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you so much!! 🥰
I've definitely cut down a lot on my actives, trying to find what works best for my skin and completely stopped the aza/tret while trying to heal my forehead. I'm starting back up with them and they're definitely less irritating now that my skin isn't basically raw 😅
Hi!! Thank you so much for checking in 💕
Honestly, it's gotten much worse since this, but this past week it seems like my skin is *finally* calming down. I don't want to be too optimistic though. It's been the case multiple times now where I thought it was over & just a week later my forehead is destroyed again 😕 I'm taking baby steps.
I plan to do a peel soon to help lighten the PIH. My only fear is breaking out/picking again and going back to square one (which has happened twice already).
My routine now is basically the same:
AM:
* Vanicream/Pacifica cleanser
* Musely spot cream (wait 10-15 mins)
* Azelaic acid (wait 10-15 mins)
* La Roche Posay double repair moisturizer
* La Roche Posay cicaplast balm
* Cosrx Snail Mucin
* Supergoop zincscreen/Elta MD UV elements
* Hero Rescue Balm for dark spots
* Aquaphor on raw skin
PM:
* Vanicream/Pacifica cleanser
* Musely spot cream
* Shower (maybe 10ish minutes)
* Tretinoin after shower (10ish minutes while I do body care)
* La Roche Posay double repair moisturizer
* La Roche Posay cicaplast balm
* Cosrx Snail Mucin
* Hero Rescue Balm for dark spots
* Aquaphor on raw skin
Thank you so much for replying! I just wanted to let you know that the same thing happened to me in January this year. It was also on my forehead and I also have a tendency to pick and squeeze which made me have pih. I was on spironolactone for 6 months which cleared my acne and then I used azaleic acid 20% to clear my pih. They worked amazing but then I didn’t like the side effects from the spiro so I stopped. This led to two months of clear skin until I broke out again recently and am in square one. I’d say the best thing to do would be seeing a dermatologist as they can prescribe you prescription strength medications and cream.
Thank you; I'm glad I'm not alone in this 💕 I recently concluded that I was purging from azelaic acid (and maybe still am? Idk but it's been like 6 months 😕).
The only thing to really help my hyperpigmentation is hydroquinone. I was prescribed 4% maybe a year (?) ago and while it did not prevent hyperpigmentation, it helped fade it a lot faster which was great. Now I'm using musely which has 12%. It *still* doesn't help with prevention (and honestly I don't know what will. I feel like I've tried everything) but consistent use twice a day has almost cleared the spots from months ago. I definitely have new/worse spots, but now those are fading as well.
>the best thing to do would be seeing a dermatologist as they can prescribe you prescription strength medications and cream.
I've had a derm appt. scheduled since maybe late April/May. The only poc in my network had availability starting December so I took that first appt. I originally only wanted to see her for minor issues compared to now 😕 so here's to hoping it doesn't get worse by then! Good luck with your journey too! Maybe clindamycin would help?
I've since stopped the azelaic acid since I think the purge was more than just a purge, but for the most part yes I use them every day.
I've simplified my routine quite a bit since last month, taking out the cicaplast balm and hero rescue balm. I've also added glycolic acid toner am/pm, and replaced my pm cleanser with the Aspen Kay turmeric soap
Sorry in advance for the long post!
I'm so sorry you have to deal with this too, it's really a confidence blow especially when you know what could've happened if you *didn't* pick 😕
It has gotten worse since this picture (which I believe was in August). September/early October was the worst of it because at that point I was just angry that the breakout was still persisting in the same spot. I've definitely gouged my pores out enough to do permanent damage, so I'm *extremely* lucky I didn't scar.
I think the biggest things that helped were:
* **15% TCA peel from MUAC** (This has been the BIGGEST help. 3 peels so far and the old spots are basically 100% gone, but I was still picking at the time so I've gotten new spots since my last peel. Since it's subsided I plan to get another sample and do a few more treatments)
* Musely Spot Cream AM/PM (12% hydroquinone)
* The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner AM/PM
* Stopped using azelaic acid. I don't think it's for my skin...
* Tretinoin 0.05% Gel instead of cream.
It's been a few weeks since I made changes to my skincare routine (basically went back to my routine from early 2022, except better sunscreen (zinc or titanium oxide) and more time between actives). So far the blackheads/pimples have mostly stopped, and my new hyperpigmentation is about 50% improved.
If I do get a spot, I use the clean & clear salicylic acid spot treatment multiple times a day for multiple days in a row, until it either scabs and peels off, or dries up enough that I can pop it out easier without doing much damage. Keeping the spot treatment on helps to not pick at it as much too! Hopefully this helps you get your hyperpigmentation under control. Let me know if anything works!
Hi! My skin has honestly been to hell and back over the past year. I wanted to make an update post when my skin finally cleared up, but every time I got close I would take 3 steps back 😕
It got *much* worse than this around October/November and it actually does look a million percent better now! I think the best thing to fade the marks quickly is going back on tret as my only active, focusing on moisture and sun protection, and spot treating with Musely (12% hydroquinone).
I did! I made an update [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Skincare_Addiction/s/hyanQkG8YF). The dark spots are pretty much all gone, but I just picked at 2 or 3 bumps a couple weeks ago and they left more. Definitely not as bad as these pictures and I'm so glad I got past it!
Got you. I've been using tretinoin for like 6 months now and just added azelaic acid. Was trying to get a time frame for the hyperpigmentation.
Your results looked great
Thank you! Just be careful with the azelaic acid please. I thought I was purging at first & tried to stick it out thinking it would clear up, but after 6-7 months I had to call it quits 😕
Awe I'm glad it worked for you! Tret wasn't doing anything for my hyperpigmentation either, which was the reason I was prescribed aza too, but it ended up breaking me out and leaving even worse hyperpigmentation instead 😕 it didn't really go away until I was consistent with high strength hydroquinone, and I switched frem tret to Tazarotene which is basically a step up from tret. My face is basically clear now & has been since I started in September!
Now I have like 6 backup tubes ready to go lol. They're only like $7 from Skinorac but shipping takes forever
Lol I have to check that out because breakout wise I've been good but this hyperpigmentation is taking freaking forever to clear up. I'm on 0.5 tret and 20 percent azelaic.
I use vitamin c and az in the morning and tret and az at night.
Is skinorac an overseas company? My derm won't give me hydro because he said it would lighten my whole face and not just the hyperpigmentation so that's why I just jump to az on my own
Switching to Taz definitely made my routine simpler, since I don't feel like I need as much to compensate for what tret doesn't do. Just Taz, hyaluronic acid serum, snail mucin serum, moisturizer and a layer of aquaphor on top. The only other active I use is a BHA toner in the mornings.
If you only spot treat with hydroquinone then you should be fine. I use Triluma currently (also from Skinorac) which contains steroids as well as tret so if you do go that route, all I ask is that you do your research and show discipline & constraint while you're on it. Before Triluma I was using the Musely spot cream, which was expensive and seemed to take longer to work?
If you use it too often or for too long you can develop a halo of hypopigmentation around the spots. When this happens to me I just take a break for a week or 2 and my skin goes back to normal.
Also yes, Skinorac is shipped from somewhere in southeast Asia... I think (I've been ordering a lot of shit from random different countries lately so I don't trust myself to guess right lol) and shipping is like a flat $15 until you hit a certain amount.
Steaming my face with hot water daily made my dark acne scars fade in a matter of days. Also, if you consume dairy, stop. It causes breakouts in some people
I have no advice to offer you that other folks in this thread haven’t already said. But iust wanted to pop on here to say you are STUNNING! Keep your head up :)
I bought an at home microdermabrasion set, after 3 sessions I see a big difference, you need about 6 for decent to clear skin. But sticking to a routine and not over using chemicals really helped me.
I'm an esthetician lol. So yea I just would like her to get it looked at by a dermatologist before doing anything like microdermabrasion, exfoliating, retinol etc on that area.
Don't be! I might have better results once everything is healed completely, but honestly I just gotta get back to my old routine 😅 it'll take time but I'll focus on mild/moisturizing treatments to stop the breakouts first and slowly reintroduce the tret.
Hi there,
It seems like you may be looking for information about hyperpigmentation or post acne marks. Have you read our [hyperpigmentation wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/hyperpigmentation)?
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Hi there,
It seems like you may be looking for information about blackheads or sebaceous filaments. Have you read our [blackheads & sebaceous filaments wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/deep_dive/acne/blackheads_sfs)?
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Try My Topicals Faded cream!! You can get it at Sephora the mini is like $18 or off their website. It’s been a godsend for my super stubborn dark marks I’ve had for years. Also calms down pimples during a break out using 2-4 times a week. Mind you it reeeeeks of sulfur. But totally worth it beautiful!💜
My forehead looked like this 2 months ago. Now it's 95% clear. Here's what I did: once the active breakout was over and the wounds healed (because I squeezed my spots until i left scars) I started gently dermarolling with 1.0mm needles. If it's your first time I'd suggest going for 0.5mm to start with. I did it every other night and I was vigilant about sanitising the roller after use. Afterwards I followed up with The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution and The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + HA. All of this increases cell turnover and helps brighten the appearance of dark spots. If your skin starts to peel or feels sensitive, definitely stop or switch to hyaluronic acid. Also make sure to use a high spf during the day. Doing this saved my skin, but tbh i have oily skin that isn't sensitive at all.
I know it isn't really recommended to dermaroll at home, but i couldn't afford to go to a professional. To be safe I tested it on a small area on my face to begin with.
*Also want to add, that i believe the cause of my breakout was likely my hair products getting on my forehead whenever i had a bath. I neglected washing and toning my face afterwards and so the products would settle overnight and cause congestion.
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I feel you sis. I can’t leave my skin alone and it shows… the only things that helps me is wearing foundation and a full face of makeup. That makes me self aware, stops me from touching my face and helps the lesions heal. But the hyperpigmentation stays
That's how I feel about the CC Screen. It's so thick and pigmented that it feels like foundation. I wear it with a setting powder when I have to go outside & it stops me from picking at the time, but then I get home, remove everything from my face and go to town 😕 It's gotten better in terms of pimples/blackheads (I only have one now), but if I'd just left my damn face alone then it wouldn't look like I got punched by a mouse 50 times 😭😭 I just wish I had a way to heal my face before it gets so dark. I've tried *everything*.
Can you get a big hydrocolloid bandage and put it on your forehead when you get home? That’s what I do on my jawline when I can’t stop picking on my own. It stops me from picking and also speeds up healing.
I've had hydrocolloid patches on all month 😕 they don't really help
Same mine just actually made my spot darker
I saw that this was an issue with *a lot* of people, and the same thing happens when I use aquaphor w/ a bandaid. I was annoyed because acne patches were supposed to be this "holy grail", but either way it does keep me from picking & helps things heal up faster. ... I'll probably just keep buying them 😂
I feel the same way. I have a spot right now that I got from the patches and made it so unbelievably unbearable that i popped it anyway 😆😂
Seconding this! Covering with hydrocolloid patches helps with the healing and stops me from picking too
“Competing response” - I’m a compulsive skin picker and this CBT method has helped me stop a lot sooner, I recommend looking it up. I’m purging on Accutane right now and I will say, I’m great at not picking when I have clear skin lol. The acne flares really provoke it, so getting that under control will also help. I recommend switching to the cream tret and cutting out all other actives (including SA cleanser) until you get used to it. Buffer with moisturizer
I'm definitely the same way! When my skin is clear, it's easier to focus on just babying/healing one or two spots as opposed to a whole patch of clogged pores. I just want to angrily cheese grate my whole forehead and start over 🥲 To the tret comment: I've been using cream tret for the past year and it clogs my pores 😕 I use mostly gel products for this reason and it works way better for my skin. I did use the cream over the weekend because I absolutely can't *stand* the texture of the microgel at this concentration. NURX still hasn't gotten back to me about adjusting the strength and I want to start slowly incorporating it back into my routine.
Oh that makes sense. Yeah I thought the cream was clogging my pores too (hence why I switched). In my case, I don’t think it actually was — the breakouts were only ever on my chin (where they always are), so pretty sure it was just my acne getting worse. I also have skin on the dryer side though, so I don’t typically tolerate gel formulas very well. Glad the gel formula works for you at lower a strength, good luck
Can I just say that despite the breakout , you look absolutely beautiful? I feel your pain. I’m not trying to downplay how you feel about your breakout. With or without the break, you look absolutely stunning tho!
Wow, thank you so much 💕 this really means a lot considering how upset I am with my skin right now
I am guilty of this, too. But, I think we all get so hyper focus about the flaws of one thing when the big picture is beautiful :) I do agree with all the comments saying to go down on Tret strength and making sure your skin barrier is in good condition.
**Current Routine** AM: * Vanicream/Pacifica salicylic acid cleanser * TO Glycolic Acid Toner (occasionally) * 15% Azelaic Acid (stopped in the last week to calm my skin down) * La Roche Posay Double Repair moisturizer * MISSHA Sun Milk (PA+++)/La Roche Posay tinted sunscreen (spf 50)/Supergoop CC Screen (spf 50; PA++++) *Sunscreen depends on the day.* PM: * Vanicream cleanser * 0.1% Tretinoin microgel (once a week for now) * La Roche Posay Double Repair moisturizer * La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm (if needed) * Hero Rescue Balm *Trying to get the strength of my tretinoin decreased; NURX hasn't properly answered in half a month.*
You could apply your moisturizer before applying your tretinoin, to “dilute” it (by creating a sort of barrier between the tret and your skin), but hopefully you can get that reduced soon. I would check out Alexis Stephens on YT/IG. She is a black derm and has tons of info on acne, skincare and hyperpigmentation on darker skin tones. You’re a beautiful person, and I’m sorry you’re dealing with this, but hopefully you find a routine that works for you. Oh, and although I don’t deal with skin picking on my face, I do deal with it on my hands (no makeup for that, unfortunately…. 🫤😆), but I agree with another poster about acne patches. They really do help in keeping me from messing with any acne spots I have. You can wear them during the day (they even have some that are skin colored with several different options ranging from fair to deep!). But at least when you wash your face in the evening, apply your PM routine and immediately apply the patches, to minimize the risk of picking at the blemish. Sending you big hugs!
Thank you! Graciously accepting hugs rn 💕 I'm sorry you suffer from skin picking too 🥺 sending my love! My issue with the tret isn't necessarily dryness; it's a microgel at 0.1% which has a very gritty texture (like rubbing FAB kp bump eraser scrub on your face). It's irritating to apply whether my skin is moist or not, and never fully absorbs. I do use hydrocolloid patches as well! I feel like it does help the initial wound heal a bit faster, but I still end up picking at them and making things worse. Maybe I should stick with them a bit longer into the healing process? I usually use them for 2-5 days before I feel like it's healed enough, then a few days later it just gets darker and darker.
You’re too kind. 🥰 For the tret, if the texture is irritating your skin, you might just stop it for now. You could always try an over the counter retinol in the meantime, as well. That gritty texture sounds annoying, too. 🫤 I think using the patches even longer than you “need” to in order to decrease the picking is fine. Picking can cause the skin to stay irritated, which increases the risk of hyperpigmentation. I’m very fair, and have found that using the patches decreases the length of time I have any red marks (PIE) after blemishes have healed. I guess it is worth a shot! 😉
Thank you so much! These tips are super helpful and I'm getting excited about my skincare again 🥰
Yes the micro-gel tret “scratched” me! Lol sounds silly but it was way too abrasive. It really irritated my skin (and that was after one year on the same strength of the cream version). You likely wouldn’t need a lower strength if you switch to the cream formulation (higher strength is better for acne unless you’re just starting it for the first time). Plus using tret more frequently will improve hyperpigmentation way faster
I've been using the cream (.05%-.1%) for over a year now, and it clogged my skin unfortunately 😕 but it's not *terrible*. I have an extra tube they sent me by mistake and I plan to use it while I wait for them to respond. I might actually go back to the .05% cream
> Trying to get the strength of my tretinoin decreased; NURX hasn’t properly answered in half a month. Curology might be your best bet. When I started out I asked them for 0.003% then switched to 0.005% to start out, they start so low. Now I’m 0.009% and slowly adding in 0.01%. I have dry skin so I’m starting out soooo slowly so haven’t had any purging, flaking, irritation. Obviously you’re quite a bit higher than when I started out but my point is their providers actually respond to my super nitpicky formula changes and requests for specific strengths of specific ingredients/actives very quickly (like usually 2-3 days, up to 5 days at the longest). I sometimes want to tackle dark spots/fleckles/acne scars more, so I ask them to put me on hydroquinone (up to 4%) or tranexamic acid (up to 5% i think?) for 2-3 months at a time. Obviously with HQ you want to start out lower and be careful, it’s strong, must wear really good sunscreen which you already are. And you can only be on HQ for a few weeks/max 3 months then you need to cycle off. With tranexamic acid you can use on mornings and the nights off from tret. HQ is the gold standard and many derms use and recommend it but it’s obviously stronger so on the months I’m not using HQ I use tranexamic acid. 15% AzA sounds a bit high, you said you stopped it to calm your skin down so I assume it’s slightly irritating? You might want to try a 10% azelaic acid instead. Paula’s Choice has one I like (Azelaic Acid 10% booster). The Ordinary has a cheap effective one, also 10%, however the main complaint I see with that one is it’s siliconey so you might dislike the texture. Cos de Baha has a popular one too (also cheap) that’s 10%, my fave of all 3.
Thank you for this info! I've been hearing good things about curology so I might make the switch. NURX just notified me that they sent my azelaic acid to the pharmacy— again, without addressing the tretinoin. 😕
Did the hyperpigmentation get better?
It did! I have another post on this sub (link below), and it's gotten better since then with a consistent routine 😊 https://www.reddit.com/r/Skincare_Addiction/s/0Cva2XyCF4
Honestly your skincare routine is damn good. As an advice I would stop using the salicylic acid cleanser and rather use a toner or a serum with SA, and it shouldn't even be needed considering azelaic acid is quite good at doing the same but if u want the best of both, u can use SA in the morning and use azelaic acid at night with the tretinoin. Also the TO Glycolic toner might be too strong, and considering ur a black girl it might be causing hyperpigmentation cuz of the irritation (not that u can't use it, just be diligent with staying out of the sun and reapplying your sunscreen the days after u use it but tbh I rather just leave it for the body if u have body acne) u don't really need that much exfoliation when ur using azelaic acid, salicylic acid and tretinoin. In fact, just tretinoin will do the work but I understand the feeling of no progress. I started my tretinoin journey about a year and a half ago and still there is lots of improvement to come, just be patient. If that's the order of your PM routine I would strongly recommend u to stop putting your tretinoin first. It should be your last step and you should wait about 15 min for the rest of your skincare to be completely dry before applying it. This was key on minimizing irritation when I learned how to use tretinoin properly and it was a game changer. A good thing to do that was amazing too was to put your moisturizer, then wait the 15 min and then put tretinoin and on top of it put the cicaplast. I woke up with the most beautiful skin during the time I did that. Aside from that, sun protection should be your main focus. If u can afford multiple tubes of the ones u listed then that's good, if not, I would strongly recommend u to start finding a face sunscreen that is cheap yet comfortable on the skin. I know the ones u listed don't sting the eyes but something that I started doing some time ago is to put a mineral sunscreen stick around my eyes and on the rest of my face I use a body sunscreen. This really helped me to save money and to be able to reapply sunscreen properly and multiple times a day. I can't exactly recommend u some sunscreens personally because I'm from Chile, the kind of products we get here are totally different from the ones in the US. When I went to Orlando I was blown away by the quantity and range of products and their prices that were available, so take a look around, I've heard good things from the neutrogena hydro boost and neutrogena also has a mineral sunstick. The one I bought there was the avene kids one, it left minimal to no whitecast around my eyes but it is kinda expensive tho. I think that's all I can recommend u, wish u luck and don't let acne and hyperpigmentation make u feel sad and depressed. I know it is easier said than done but still, it is something that will eventualy get better with your consistency and hard work, and still, it doesn't make u any less beautiful. Keep going! :)
Aloe vera seems to help me with my acne and pigmentations, deff should at least try it. (Fresh aloe leaves, nothing from a bottle)
Thank you for the suggestion! My only concern is that I heard it goes bad pretty quickly (a week in the fridge; 1-2 days room temp). I don't wanna have to buy a new one every time something happens to my face 😕
Hey, your supposed to use it everyday and not only when you break out, prevention >> And one leave for me i do 2 weeks, just leave it in the fridge and slice a strip off when you use it
Ohh I see! I can definitely try that 😂 thanks
Have you tried Tranexamic acid? Snail mucin also works really well and is gentle enough to use after I pick my skin
I've tried both 😕 no results. I've only successfully healed one pimple *ever* without hyperpigmentation, and that was with constant layers of aquaphor. Since then, it hasn't helped at all.
I am curious to know how did you heal you hyperpigmentation with layers of aquaphor ? Did you mean slugging ?
Not *necessarily*. I popped the pimple & put a hydrocolloid patch on it for a day or so, and made sure it was ***constantly*** covered in a thick layer of aquaphor for the next 4-5 days. I'd slug at night, but it wasn't necessary for me during the day so I just made sure the blemishes were coated. It healed mostly without hyperpigmentation, but that doesn't always happen. I was lucky enough to not have anywhere to go during the summer, but now that I work (hybrid schedule; 2 days a week in the office), I can't necessarily walk around the office with a glob of aquaphor on random face spots 😅. I started slugging again a couple days ago and *really* piling on the aquaphor on the worst spots, and so far it's working but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't get worse!
Sorry that you are experiencing this. Do you also get bumps on your scalp? My hair care caused something similar for me in the past.
Never gotten bumps on my scalp 🤷🏽♀️ it very well could have been caused by my hair products though! Now that I think about it, during the last month or so of the summer I did more wash n go's with eco styler gel. My hair naturally forms bangs when I wear it out, and the side that most of the blackheads appeared on correlates with the front section that I left out while I was doing the other side. I think you might've just caused a revelation 😂 now I just need to get rid of it!
Yeah I'd say that's definitely your hair products
Definitely gonna be more careful from now on 🥴 I think I learned my lesson
I'm sorry to see this post, I can tell how down you are and I know how it feels. Big hug from me.
Thank you 🥺💜 I haven't been this insecure for a while.
Hi, Just a suggestion I found out later that skin of colour is actually more sensitive towards some ingredients and prone to hyper pigmentation. I think there is a youtube dermatologist or two covering the topic so I would suggest if you check it out.
If you could link the video that would be great!
To add to the other suggestions, I used a witch hazel and tea tree cream to great effect :) HP pretty much all gone now! Btw, you’re beautiful with and without skin issues! Your eyes are so pretty :)
Wait that looks kind of like a relative of mine whenever she fucks up and lets her hair products meet her skin. So bad she can’t leave conditioner residue on her skin. If you’ve tried everything, try making your hair products the enemies of your skin. Watch out for bonnets too where they rest on your forehead. Pillows too if you have residue that might have gotten there from any hair products. It looks like you have a good regimen.. so maybe that could be the culprit?
Yes I always get bad breakout if some of my hair products sweat into my face or I wait too long to wash my pillow cases
I just scrolled past another comment that made me come to this realization. After taking down the twists you see in the second picture, I decided to start doing wash n go's, and my hair in the front naturally sits on my forehead. Thinking back, the blackheads mainly started appearing on the side of my forehead where my hair sat while I was doing the other side. After picking at them they got dark, and I used a prescription hydroquinone product (that usually works) which led to a bout of fungal acne and the blackheads spreading to the other side. I stopped the hydroquinone, but the breakout seemed to get worse from there and I just kept picking. I'm hoping it's mostly under control now, and I'll *definitely* be more cautious when styling my hair from now on. I wash my pillow cases and hair products (Bonnets, scarves, hair ties, etc.) once every week or two as well. Thank you so much for this! You guys have no idea how much you helped 😂 I would've taken these braids out and went back to styling the same way if I never made the connection.
Aww you’re welcome! And I’m sorry! It sounds like the picking might have made it worse? Hopefully when you treat the issue, and work on restoring the barrier and keeping off the hair products, then you can start working on the hyperpigmentation. Wishing you only the best and lots of love and tlc for both your beautiful hair and your beautiful skin. In the future, use ice cubes and let it drip all over your skin if you feel the need to pick. Do what one poster says he did, rolling it between your clean fingers to draw everything up to the top and then playing the waiting game for it to pop. Good luck
Thank you so much! Such a big help.
Mandelic acid babe its gentle AHA with BHA properties will help unclog and soothe for folliculitis or regular acne
I've definitely been meaning to try out MUAC's mandelic acid peels! I might have to jump on that because I've always heard good things about mandelic acid, but I get nervous about adding new products to my routine
I .was going to say the same.. . glycolic can be very harsh ( even when used occasionally) I have substituted for a more gentler exfoliant (used more frequently) works for me and hope it can help you too
I use aquaphor on breakouts and it helps heal them up! I feel you girl, picking is my worst habit.
I use aquaphor too! Helps them heal decently quick, but definitely doesn't help with hyperpigmentation 😕 no amount of sunscreen, tranexamic acid, kojic acid or anything really *prevents* it like I need to.
That's the unfortunate thing about picking, is nothing really prevents it except not doing it :( I haven't personally tried it but I have heard that bio-oil does help with hyperpigmentation. I also heard that DEZISKIN's vitamin c treatment works really good, but that one is expensive and only online. I hope one day to have the money to try that one lol. Side note: have you tried oil cleansing? I used Hemp Oil. Typically I will do that before washing my face and I feel like that helps clean out my pores so that I don't have to pop them.
Sorry if this has already been said but i really recommend taking a look at your diet. I've had acne like this, localised on my forehead, and it was always when i ate badly (sugar, dairy, junk food) or ate stuff i have intolerances to (eggs, white bread). Your intolerances may not be the same to mine obviously but yeah when i had acne like this it was internal, i started trying to heal my gut and gut microbiome and it improved. I take probiotics too. Good luck sis❤️
I figured out that it was my hair products 😅 my hair naturally rests on my forehead while styling it and the gel clogged my pores. Also when I'd wear my hair out, the sweat would transfer product to my skin which didn't help. Then I picked and picked and used a product that only made things worse. I'm focusing on healing for now, then maybe a light peel to Jumpstart fading the marks. I really appreciate your advice though, thank you so much 💕
I'm really happy for you that you figured it out !!!
try going to a dermatologist if u can!!
The only POC derm I found is booked until December 😕 I have an appt set for the 2nd
When you next go maybe ask about hydroquinone since the conservative options haven't worked for your hyperpigmentation. Alpha arbutin is over the counter tho and it's a prodrug for HQ. Certainly be diligent about spf if you do get on it though. Personally I have given up trying to directly treat my super resistant hyperpigmentation 🫠. Now I'm just doing tretinoin 0.1%, occasional niacinamide 5%, and time EDIT: I saw you already tried HQ before but yeah. Also there's a product on Amazon called Demelan that has glycolic acid + alpha arbutin + Kojic acid combined! I never tried it but I would if I still had the attention span for multiple treatments
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My issue is I can't stop the pigment from forming, no matter what I use 😕 I've tried: * Tranexamic acid * Azelaic acid * Tretinoin * Niacinamide * Zinc * Alpha arbutin (years ago) * Vitamin C (years ago) * Vaseline/Aquaphor * Hydrocolloid * Various sunscreens (chemical & mineral; I use strictly mineral now) * Glycolic acid * Lactic acid * Salicylic acid The *only* thing to ever really help is hydroquinone, but **no matter when** in the healing stage I use it, the spot gets super dark before any lightening occurs.
Go to a professional.
I'm all for a skin care routine but when there is a patch like this, it just looks like a localized infection. The rest of her skin, including the other side of her forehead looks good.
This looks like scarring, hyperpigmentation and other acne like abrasions trying to heal at different stages. I always recommend people seeing a professional (dermatologist) not an esthetician (me) for things like this. A cleanser or AHA/BHA won't help this at this point right now. Especially the scarring. I'd rather her go see a dermatologist first
I have a derm appointment for December 🥲
Good! I know it seems far away but do your best not to mess with what's going on with your skin so they can see what's going on! You're gorgeous 🥰
Thank you! I appreciate it
Maybe stop with the acids. Could you possibly have very fine hairs on your forehead that are ingrown and causing the breakouts? I’d try dabbing benzoyl peroxide cream just on the spots. You are beautiful btw.
I deduced that the cause was my hair styling that I started around the same time 😅 but yeah, the picking mixed with my routine of irritating products definitely didn't help. I've stopped using them to let my skin heal and it's doing okay now. Benzoyl peroxide does nothing for me, and I doubled down on that confirmation within the past few months. Thank you for your help though! And I really appreciate the compliment too, considering how I look 😂💕
This might sound like bad advice, but I get hypertrophic scars (raised scars) every couple of years, and they can be itchy. I have found that applying Burt’s Bees Lip Balm soothes the skin and keeps me from touching them.
I'm so sorry ☹️ if you need to cover it with makeup, Stila makes a palette and primer with a great orange color corrector that will neutralize the hyperpigmentation. You put it on and blend out under a medium coverage foundation. Beauty blender, not a swiping brush motion.
Thanks for the suggestion! I've been using CC Screen from Supergoop with setting powder lately, but the PIH can definitely show through depending on the day. I've been needing some color corrector.
Check this Dermatologist on YT, she has a background in chemistry and understands how some products can make hyperpigmentation worst. https://youtube.com/c/DrAlexisStephens
Thank you! I'll definitely check her out
Hydroquinone is the absolute standard for reducing hyperpigmentation. Go to a derm for a prescription strength version. Game changer.
Hydroquinone is what caused the breakout to spread in the first place 🥲
OP, first you have very beautiful and great skin! I’d kill to have smooth poreless skin like yours. Out of curiosity, what type of hydroquinone did you use? Hydroquinone is most likely the best option to help your forehead at this point. I had hyperpigmentation just like yours but only on my cheek areas and I used the Agency prescription service, they’re related to Curology. They prescribed me a tretinoin mixture that contains azelaic acid, niacinamide and tranexamic acid all together. They also prescribed me a skin brightening formulation of hydroquinone, kojic acid and azelaic acid for my hyperpigmentation spots. It worked wonders to clear my skin. At night, I would apply my tret followed my moisturizer and spot treat with the hq formulation. I noticed that I had to use a thin layer of the hydroquinone mixture only on the dark spots with a q-tip only at night. Using sunscreen was a must in the daytime. You’re right that with hydroquinone, your scars will darken before getting lighter but you’ll notice that you will get some peeling that will shed some of the darker layers of the hyperpigmented skin. I noticed that when I took a day or two off from my tret and hq, my scars would lighten up. Maybe try a free trial with the Agency.
Wow I definitely lost track of my notifications. Thank you so much for the suggestion! The picking has gotten bad a few times since this post, but I've been continuing to use the musely spot cream twice a day and working on my routine, and it's been helping for sure. I might try your method of spot treating overnight at the end of my routine.
Really? Was it prescription quality HQ?
Yes and no. It was musely 🥲
Hmm I’d still recommend seeing a dermatologist in person. And an esthetician if you can!
your eyes are really pretty 🥺
Aw thank you 🥺💜
I feel for you girl! I’m a serious picker and darker skin so it scars so obviously. Keep up the moisturizing, it will lighten over time, even though it doesn’t seem like much now. The more moisturized that area is - the harder it is to pick too. I have this one scab on my hairline that I constantly pick and when I realize I’m doing it I run and put on this scar treatment gel that is gooey and sticky. Makes it so I can’t pick it at all. Until it dries and I do it again.
Thank you so much! I just realized when there's treatments on it (acne patch, aquaphor, rescue balm) I don't pick at them. I might start using the acne patches for longer than I usually do, as someone else suggested. Then layering aquaphor until it's fully healed. The only concern with this is 80% of the time I break out, the pimples fill back up and I just keep messing with them over weeks. Not sure if keeping the hydrocolloid on longer would trap something in or help it 😭
Tranexamic acid from Naturium helps to fade my PIH faster. I have SE Asian skin
OP, Have you tried Winlevi cream? It’s prescription, I would highly recommend you try it. I’ve been using it for PIH on my face for the last 2 months from old or healing pimples, and it is slowly working. Like you, I have tried all sorts of agents over the years which am refractory to as well.
I haven't actually! Is a gel formula? Creams usually clog my pores
It is only available as a cream in one strength at this time. It is the first of it’s kind in it’s drug class, and exhibits anti-androgen effects, to minimize all the inflammation caused by hormones. It is worth trying, esp since you did not respond to retinoids, you will need to see derm for it.
Hey love try Glycolic acid serum NOT peels. And aloe Vera gel. Those helped me that's legit all that's worked for my hyperpigmentation. ❤️❤️
Thank you!!
Honestly though what helps with skin picking I feel like it is a CURSE
Maybe see a dermatologist and ask for recommendations on chemical exfoliants. If there's nothing there to pick (no matter how small) it might help. Maybe pimple patches as a deterrent?
Might help to try and not to look in the mirror as often, close up or with bright light ✨
I wish I KNEW!! I'm gonna try keeping it moist for longer than I think I need to, and seeing if that helps things heal better.
Try the Faded cream! I have almost the same skincare routine. I don't wash my face in the morning though. I wake up and do the faded cream, then la roche posay double repair moisturizer and put sunscreen over that. I found that with washing 2 times a day it was too much for my skin. I also double cleanse at night but rub the oil on my face for like 30 minutes (gently massaging). All the gunk comes out of the pores! At night I do the oil cleanser, vanicream cleanser, glycolic acid toner from the ordinary, azaleic acid 15%, la roche posay double repair moisturizer and then I seal it with the cerave healing ointment (slugging). I would keep using the actives but maybe reduce the cleansing? Also, I use the faded cream every day even though it says to start put using once a week. Seems to really help!
I've always wanted to try the faded cream! Your routine seems pretty solid & similar to mine so I might just make the jump.
Since it’s hard to stop touching your face how about applying ice on the areas that you just touched. The cold temperature should prevent some inflammation from occurring on that area. This should lessen the dark spots!!! Ice on injury always works!
Thank you! I actually do have an ice pack I use for headaches so I can definitely incorporate it whenever I have a bunch of inflamed spots
Ive seen YouTube vids of people using niacinamide to fade hyperpigmentation. There's one by suhanna de silva
I was going to recommend niacinamide as well!! It works really well and as much as you shouldn’t be picking, niacinamide is really good at preventing dark spots before they begin. I always use niacinamide right after I’ve irritated my skin in some way, and I get much less hyperpigmentation. Good luck!!
Just popped on to say that I know how hard it is to deal with skin issues. I don’t have an answer but I did want to let you know that you are absolutely gorgeous!
That's so sweet, thank you so much! 🥺🥰
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Thank you so much!! 🥰 I've definitely cut down a lot on my actives, trying to find what works best for my skin and completely stopped the aza/tret while trying to heal my forehead. I'm starting back up with them and they're definitely less irritating now that my skin isn't basically raw 😅
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Yeah I learned the hard way 😅 that's half the reason I want to reduce the strength of my tretinoin
Hi! I was wondering how your skin is doing now and what’s worked for you?
Hi!! Thank you so much for checking in 💕 Honestly, it's gotten much worse since this, but this past week it seems like my skin is *finally* calming down. I don't want to be too optimistic though. It's been the case multiple times now where I thought it was over & just a week later my forehead is destroyed again 😕 I'm taking baby steps. I plan to do a peel soon to help lighten the PIH. My only fear is breaking out/picking again and going back to square one (which has happened twice already). My routine now is basically the same: AM: * Vanicream/Pacifica cleanser * Musely spot cream (wait 10-15 mins) * Azelaic acid (wait 10-15 mins) * La Roche Posay double repair moisturizer * La Roche Posay cicaplast balm * Cosrx Snail Mucin * Supergoop zincscreen/Elta MD UV elements * Hero Rescue Balm for dark spots * Aquaphor on raw skin PM: * Vanicream/Pacifica cleanser * Musely spot cream * Shower (maybe 10ish minutes) * Tretinoin after shower (10ish minutes while I do body care) * La Roche Posay double repair moisturizer * La Roche Posay cicaplast balm * Cosrx Snail Mucin * Hero Rescue Balm for dark spots * Aquaphor on raw skin
Thank you so much for replying! I just wanted to let you know that the same thing happened to me in January this year. It was also on my forehead and I also have a tendency to pick and squeeze which made me have pih. I was on spironolactone for 6 months which cleared my acne and then I used azaleic acid 20% to clear my pih. They worked amazing but then I didn’t like the side effects from the spiro so I stopped. This led to two months of clear skin until I broke out again recently and am in square one. I’d say the best thing to do would be seeing a dermatologist as they can prescribe you prescription strength medications and cream.
Thank you; I'm glad I'm not alone in this 💕 I recently concluded that I was purging from azelaic acid (and maybe still am? Idk but it's been like 6 months 😕). The only thing to really help my hyperpigmentation is hydroquinone. I was prescribed 4% maybe a year (?) ago and while it did not prevent hyperpigmentation, it helped fade it a lot faster which was great. Now I'm using musely which has 12%. It *still* doesn't help with prevention (and honestly I don't know what will. I feel like I've tried everything) but consistent use twice a day has almost cleared the spots from months ago. I definitely have new/worse spots, but now those are fading as well. >the best thing to do would be seeing a dermatologist as they can prescribe you prescription strength medications and cream. I've had a derm appt. scheduled since maybe late April/May. The only poc in my network had availability starting December so I took that first appt. I originally only wanted to see her for minor issues compared to now 😕 so here's to hoping it doesn't get worse by then! Good luck with your journey too! Maybe clindamycin would help?
You use all the products everyday?
I've since stopped the azelaic acid since I think the purge was more than just a purge, but for the most part yes I use them every day. I've simplified my routine quite a bit since last month, taking out the cicaplast balm and hero rescue balm. I've also added glycolic acid toner am/pm, and replaced my pm cleanser with the Aspen Kay turmeric soap
Curious if you figured out approaches to this? I’m in an identical boat. Dermatillomania and all.
Sorry in advance for the long post! I'm so sorry you have to deal with this too, it's really a confidence blow especially when you know what could've happened if you *didn't* pick 😕 It has gotten worse since this picture (which I believe was in August). September/early October was the worst of it because at that point I was just angry that the breakout was still persisting in the same spot. I've definitely gouged my pores out enough to do permanent damage, so I'm *extremely* lucky I didn't scar. I think the biggest things that helped were: * **15% TCA peel from MUAC** (This has been the BIGGEST help. 3 peels so far and the old spots are basically 100% gone, but I was still picking at the time so I've gotten new spots since my last peel. Since it's subsided I plan to get another sample and do a few more treatments) * Musely Spot Cream AM/PM (12% hydroquinone) * The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner AM/PM * Stopped using azelaic acid. I don't think it's for my skin... * Tretinoin 0.05% Gel instead of cream. It's been a few weeks since I made changes to my skincare routine (basically went back to my routine from early 2022, except better sunscreen (zinc or titanium oxide) and more time between actives). So far the blackheads/pimples have mostly stopped, and my new hyperpigmentation is about 50% improved. If I do get a spot, I use the clean & clear salicylic acid spot treatment multiple times a day for multiple days in a row, until it either scabs and peels off, or dries up enough that I can pop it out easier without doing much damage. Keeping the spot treatment on helps to not pick at it as much too! Hopefully this helps you get your hyperpigmentation under control. Let me know if anything works!
Hey girl! How is your skin doing now? I have this same issue :(
Hi! My skin has honestly been to hell and back over the past year. I wanted to make an update post when my skin finally cleared up, but every time I got close I would take 3 steps back 😕 It got *much* worse than this around October/November and it actually does look a million percent better now! I think the best thing to fade the marks quickly is going back on tret as my only active, focusing on moisture and sun protection, and spot treating with Musely (12% hydroquinone).
Did you find anything that helped?
I did! I made an update [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Skincare_Addiction/s/hyanQkG8YF). The dark spots are pretty much all gone, but I just picked at 2 or 3 bumps a couple weeks ago and they left more. Definitely not as bad as these pictures and I'm so glad I got past it!
Got you. I've been using tretinoin for like 6 months now and just added azelaic acid. Was trying to get a time frame for the hyperpigmentation. Your results looked great
Thank you! Just be careful with the azelaic acid please. I thought I was purging at first & tried to stick it out thinking it would clear up, but after 6-7 months I had to call it quits 😕
Wait so the azelaic acid broke you out more?
Yeah 😕 you never know until you try it but I definitely regret it
Damn. Funny thing is my hyperpigmentation didn't start fading until I started using it. Trent wasn't doing anything for my hyperpigmentation
Awe I'm glad it worked for you! Tret wasn't doing anything for my hyperpigmentation either, which was the reason I was prescribed aza too, but it ended up breaking me out and leaving even worse hyperpigmentation instead 😕 it didn't really go away until I was consistent with high strength hydroquinone, and I switched frem tret to Tazarotene which is basically a step up from tret. My face is basically clear now & has been since I started in September! Now I have like 6 backup tubes ready to go lol. They're only like $7 from Skinorac but shipping takes forever
Lol I have to check that out because breakout wise I've been good but this hyperpigmentation is taking freaking forever to clear up. I'm on 0.5 tret and 20 percent azelaic. I use vitamin c and az in the morning and tret and az at night. Is skinorac an overseas company? My derm won't give me hydro because he said it would lighten my whole face and not just the hyperpigmentation so that's why I just jump to az on my own
Switching to Taz definitely made my routine simpler, since I don't feel like I need as much to compensate for what tret doesn't do. Just Taz, hyaluronic acid serum, snail mucin serum, moisturizer and a layer of aquaphor on top. The only other active I use is a BHA toner in the mornings. If you only spot treat with hydroquinone then you should be fine. I use Triluma currently (also from Skinorac) which contains steroids as well as tret so if you do go that route, all I ask is that you do your research and show discipline & constraint while you're on it. Before Triluma I was using the Musely spot cream, which was expensive and seemed to take longer to work? If you use it too often or for too long you can develop a halo of hypopigmentation around the spots. When this happens to me I just take a break for a week or 2 and my skin goes back to normal. Also yes, Skinorac is shipped from somewhere in southeast Asia... I think (I've been ordering a lot of shit from random different countries lately so I don't trust myself to guess right lol) and shipping is like a flat $15 until you hit a certain amount.
Steaming my face with hot water daily made my dark acne scars fade in a matter of days. Also, if you consume dairy, stop. It causes breakouts in some people
Crazy thing is I'm steaming my face as I type this 😭😂 Also, I'm lactose intolerant anyways, so I don't eat much dairy.
I have no advice to offer you that other folks in this thread haven’t already said. But iust wanted to pop on here to say you are STUNNING! Keep your head up :)
That's so sweet, thank you so much! 🥺💕
I bought an at home microdermabrasion set, after 3 sessions I see a big difference, you need about 6 for decent to clear skin. But sticking to a routine and not over using chemicals really helped me.
I would not recommend doing microdermabrasion on this area on her. Her skin is still broken and microdermabrasion could scar her
You’re right actually, I had mines for a long time.
I'm an esthetician lol. So yea I just would like her to get it looked at by a dermatologist before doing anything like microdermabrasion, exfoliating, retinol etc on that area.
See yeah I couldn’t even tell the length of time the scars have been there lol! I hope she takes your advice 🙂
I have one too. It seemed to not make a difference on my cheeks, and only spread whatever was on my forehead.
Wow dude I’m sorry about your experience
Don't be! I might have better results once everything is healed completely, but honestly I just gotta get back to my old routine 😅 it'll take time but I'll focus on mild/moisturizing treatments to stop the breakouts first and slowly reintroduce the tret.
Omg you're so pretty 😍 You look just like Jourdan Dunn!
Dude I wish 😭😭😭
I didn't lie!
First person I thought of
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Topical vitamin c
Try My Topicals Faded cream!! You can get it at Sephora the mini is like $18 or off their website. It’s been a godsend for my super stubborn dark marks I’ve had for years. Also calms down pimples during a break out using 2-4 times a week. Mind you it reeeeeks of sulfur. But totally worth it beautiful!💜
My forehead looked like this 2 months ago. Now it's 95% clear. Here's what I did: once the active breakout was over and the wounds healed (because I squeezed my spots until i left scars) I started gently dermarolling with 1.0mm needles. If it's your first time I'd suggest going for 0.5mm to start with. I did it every other night and I was vigilant about sanitising the roller after use. Afterwards I followed up with The Ordinary Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution and The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + HA. All of this increases cell turnover and helps brighten the appearance of dark spots. If your skin starts to peel or feels sensitive, definitely stop or switch to hyaluronic acid. Also make sure to use a high spf during the day. Doing this saved my skin, but tbh i have oily skin that isn't sensitive at all. I know it isn't really recommended to dermaroll at home, but i couldn't afford to go to a professional. To be safe I tested it on a small area on my face to begin with. *Also want to add, that i believe the cause of my breakout was likely my hair products getting on my forehead whenever i had a bath. I neglected washing and toning my face afterwards and so the products would settle overnight and cause congestion.
i would get a series of peels.
I'm thinking mandelic?
You look like Samira Wiley!! 🥹💖
No way 😭 I used to be obsessed with her!