Acne Scaring

As a licensed esthetician working at a primary Bay Area acne clinic, there really isn't anything to do about textural acne scars, like pits or craters. But it sounds like you are talking about post-inflammatory pigmentation, a dark brown spot left over from previous breakouts. You can go and look for a therapist that does light chemical peels (sounds scary but completely safe when given correctly), and support your monthly treatments with a good homecare system.

Look for a product that has hydroquinone in it (not advisable if you are pregnant, still nursing, or for periods longer 6 months of usage at a time), it's the strongest ingredient on the market that will help lighten these pigmentation spots. Remember that red marks will fade eventually (up to a year), brown spots will lift if you use an at home lightener regularly. Also wearing full spectrum SPF everyday will protect your skin from future brown spots/sun damage/skin cancer.

Seek advise from a skincare professional! Don't waste your money on prescription products that aren't tailored exactly to your particular skin type, sensitivity, etc. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

I would talk to a doctor, but Retin-A has worked to smooth scar lines for me in the past. I don't think you can get it without a prescription.
Good luck.

Hi M.!
My neighbor's husband had terrible scars on his face from acne. I let him use my Galvanci Spa on his face for a couple weeks and it looks fantastic! It's helped with the scars and the closing of his pores. I use it for wrinkles and toning and tighting my face but it really worked great on him. I heard it would help but never put it to use for acne. However when I use the Galvanic spa, if I have a pimple, it's completely gone the next day. Sucks the life out of them!
If you want some info, contact me at ____@____.com or visit my web site at: spagirls.agelessway.com The spa girl url has some really detailed info about the spa! Take a look! We also have cream that's available just for acne without the spa. Take care - E.

Hey M.:

As a mother of seven daughters and two sons raging in ages 26-12 and also with scaring on my face from a bad complexion, I have been thru so many skin products. The one thing that has worked the best for me and the kids is taking vitamin E and C along with plenty of water and veggies. Exfoliating regularly and using a fading cream works along with the vitamins. I hope this helps,

I had the same thing happy with my face. I discovered Arbonne and it has completely changed my life not just my complection. It works so well that I started distribting it. I would love to send you a sample. Let me know if you would like me too. My website is http//:CatherineBell.myarbonne.com and my e-mail adress is ____@____.com.

Hi, yes there is finally a product you can use to stop the breakouts and remove the scaring with a full money back guarantee......FINALLY.......It's the two doctors who created PROACTIVE... they have a new improved line out called rodan and fields. You do not need to spend alot of money covering it up, you can now lighten the scars gently, without harsh peels , and Obagi is too aggressive, now you can affordably lighten these scars with a in expensive way . look at www.rodanandfields.com look at the UNBLEMISH for acne, and the REVERSE for scar removing. I have been using these products for over five years and there is simply nothing better. the promotional code is reprf10080 put this in at checkout for money savings. Please let me know how this works for you.....Good luck......this product had hydroquinone like Kimberly advised in her response to you. This code was for all customers who used to buy it at Nordstrom I used to sell it, then they took it out and it is only on line.....Please email me if you need help I sold this for 5 years.....

Try mineral makeup...you put it on with a brush, it works really well to help minimize the appearance of scars, flaking etc. If you want treatment for the scars, I would see a cosmetic dermatlogist, OBAGI works really well to even skin but is expensive.

Cheers

check out fraxel.com This laser treatment works for acne scars, even the craters will become less noticeable. I have treated patients with it and have been successful.

Yes!!! There are a few options available to you both of which I have tried and can say they really do work! Obagi Nuderm system is a great way to start out. The key gold standards are Hydroquinone and Tretinoin. It is very aggressive and worth the commitment! The other option to look into is the Fraxel laser I have had four of these treatments for acne scarring and I never thought my skin could be so good! A good link: almadenrejuvenationstudio.com. Good luck!

Believe it or not, acne is very often caused by hormones that are out of whack. That is why you may hear of women who never had a pimple break out all the sudden later in life. It sounds like your skin has settled down somewhat, but by all means, avoid using anything that is too drying for your skin. Your skin will just manufacture more oil to combat the dryness and there you are in a bad cycle of more break-outs. The less you do to irritate your skin, the better. Vitamin E oil can really help. I have used both the oil in the little pump dispensers or the actual gel-tabs that you can buy over the counter. (Break one open and add to the affected area). My son had to have his knee stitched together and we put Vitamin E on it every day. It really helps. And there are no irritating fragrances, etc. It may be worth it for you to see a good dermatologist who can recommend something for you as far as texture and lightening. In the meantime, avoid any liquid foundations as they will just settle into any parts of your skin that you don't want them to. Try a good spot concealer for specific discolorations then a good translucent or mineral powder for evening out the rest of your skin tone. Nothing too heavy. As time goes on, these things will diminish on their own even without intervention.

Hi M., Just wanted to get back to you and let you know that Glimpse Intuitive Skin Care is available through XanGo Distributors, and the results are amazing: http://www.my-glimpse.com/ Also visit www.findgreenhere.com (Safe Cosmetics Page, Cosmetic Database) to be sure any personal care products you use yourself your hubby or your children are all clean and green, made in the USA and toxin-free. I am holding Skin Nutrition Classes in my home in San Jose as well as at the client's house to educate on the unregulated US cosmetics industry and to let you try Glimpse for yourself! If you are looking for a job with flexible hours and the opportunity to make a great income, this could be for you! Feel free to contact me. Sincerely, V. G. :o)

HI Marcaela,
Have you tried the Unblemish or Reverse line by Rodan and Fields Dermatologists?
They are the same creators of Proactiv Solutions, this is their high end "Medical Grade" lines up until recently found only in high end department stores such as Nordstom.
This line works wonders on the skin changing inside out!
I have have had major success with the Reverse Line, this will help heal the dark/purple scars on your face from acne at the same time helping with fine lines and brightening your complexion. Email me at ____@____.com

Hi there,

I had great skin growing up, it wasn't until my 20's that I started breaking out (due to my PCOS)but I had terrible discolorations and some scarring too.

I've found that gentle cleansers and mild exfoliation is good for your skin in general. My esthetician gave me a mild antibacterial gel cleanser for my face, but something cetaphil is great. A few times a week maybe use a mild exfoliant or a special washcloth (I have one made of natural fibers that does the trick).

As for the scars, I think the brand Ambi is great. I've tried other brands, even ordered stuff from Avon, Mary Kay and this stuff works great and it's not expensive. You can get it anywhere. They have a spot treatment that has salacylic acid and will also help to lighten and even the skin. They have another product that is a skin lightener that actually has a mild bleaching agent that will help with discoloration and evening out the skin tone.

As for makeup I LOVE bare escentuals!!! It's all natural and last a long time. It does great at concealing without caking. They have stores or you can get it online, I think most major department stores like macy's also carries them. They are more expensive than a drugstore brand, but I think they are worth it and a container will last a long time.

I've tried some drugstore brands of "mineral" makeup and didn't care for them, but if you really can't afford the bare essectuals, I would stick with more skin friendly lines like Physicians Formula.

You can try the Obage system. I used it to lighten dark spots on my skin. It works great but it is a real commitment (for the duration of the system that is...) it takes @ 12 weeks and you can peel and get reddish, but, the outcome is nothing short of amazing. I saw Kelly at Dr. Romano's office in the city. Maybe sched an appt with her for a consultation. ###-###-####

I have found that retin A (prescription acne medication and anti aging cream) helps reduce scarring as do products with glycolic acid (I like MD formulations daily peel pads and facial wash) You may want to talk to a cosmetic dermatologist about the new laser treatments, I have yet to try them myself but have read about laser procedures that reduce acne scars with no "down time".

M.,
I have used Proactiv for years and they have Makeup as well. They have a lightening lotion that you put on the area to lighten I have it and it works.
I have used Bare Minerals (Good makeup) but I have started using Sheer cover (Sheercover.com) and I like this make up so much better. It's so light it actually feels like I have no makeup on at all. Made of minerals as well but seems lighter on my skin and helps cover imperfections really well.

Not sure where you live but Valley Fair Mall has a little area inside the mall that sells Proactiv. Or you can try proactiv online too. The sheercover is only available online but very fast shipment.

I really like MAC Studio Fix. Try getting it at a Nordstrom cuz if it doesnt work out you can always return it, hassle free. Just tell them you're not satisfied with the product and then try something else! Oh, have you tried vitamin E on your scars?

M., Have you ever heard of Arbonne's RE9 system? This product is awesome! If you are interested in seeing some before and after pictures of what it is doing for people, I would love to send them to you. Plus, I can show you how to get these products at a discount!

If you are interested, let me know!
R.