Thank you for your question and I am sorry that you are dealing with acne plus the color pigmentation issue. Here are a few things I found that may be beneficial to you. I found this information on clearskin.com.
Laser resurfacing - Normal laser skin resurfacing works by evaporating the first few layers of damaged skin to leave behind a fresh, evenly toned skin. Hydroquinone or mild chemical peels are often recommended before laser resurfacing for best results.
Intense Pulsed Light - IPL is a type of laser that leaves no scars, can sometimes heal freckles or other mild sun spots without using peels or hydroquinone creams beforehand.
Hydroquinone Creams - They bleach the skin by slowing down the production of melanin. Dark spots fade in a few weeks. They are usually used for hyper pigmentations which are not caused by hormonal changes.
Hydroxy Acid Peels - They increase cell renewal rate and correct hyperpigmentation marks. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are water soluble acids and can help remove hyperpigmentation, while Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) are lipid soluble acids and increase the rate of exfoliation but are not particularly known to remove hyperpigmentation.
Physician Formulas - These are more expensive skin pigmentation treatments but are very effective (Kinerase, Retin A, Renova, Avita etc).
Treating the acne first is common practice so don't be discouraged. The reason your physician is trying to treat the acne first is to resolve the continuing issue. If you continually have the acne, the scarring will continue.
Seeking treatments for acne with your dermatologist is necessary. They try to find the right product for you. Everyone's skin is different and depending on your genetic makeup, there may be other underlying issues as to why your are experiencing the acne. Stress is a big one, hormones, depression and so forth.
Here are a few sites that you can read on other users who have had issues with acne.
www.empowher.com/community/ask/adult-acne-cause-and-solution-needed
Specific to skin pigmentation issues, there is an increase in discoloration when you have low blood pressure also or if you suffer from anemia which is common for women of color.
Have you sought assistance from a family physician as well besides the dermatologist?
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Thank you for your question and I am sorry that you are dealing with acne plus the color pigmentation issue. Here are a few things I found that may be beneficial to you. I found this information on clearskin.com.
Laser resurfacing - Normal laser skin resurfacing works by evaporating the first few layers of damaged skin to leave behind a fresh, evenly toned skin. Hydroquinone or mild chemical peels are often recommended before laser resurfacing for best results.
Intense Pulsed Light - IPL is a type of laser that leaves no scars, can sometimes heal freckles or other mild sun spots without using peels or hydroquinone creams beforehand.
Hydroquinone Creams - They bleach the skin by slowing down the production of melanin. Dark spots fade in a few weeks. They are usually used for hyper pigmentations which are not caused by hormonal changes.
Hydroxy Acid Peels - They increase cell renewal rate and correct hyperpigmentation marks. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are water soluble acids and can help remove hyperpigmentation, while Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) are lipid soluble acids and increase the rate of exfoliation but are not particularly known to remove hyperpigmentation.
Physician Formulas - These are more expensive skin pigmentation treatments but are very effective (Kinerase, Retin A, Renova, Avita etc).
Treating the acne first is common practice so don't be discouraged. The reason your physician is trying to treat the acne first is to resolve the continuing issue. If you continually have the acne, the scarring will continue.
Seeking treatments for acne with your dermatologist is necessary. They try to find the right product for you. Everyone's skin is different and depending on your genetic makeup, there may be other underlying issues as to why your are experiencing the acne. Stress is a big one, hormones, depression and so forth.
Here are a few sites that you can read on other users who have had issues with acne.
www.empowher.com/community/ask/adult-acne-cause-and-solution-needed
www.empowher.com/condition/search/7-day-acne-detox
Specific to skin pigmentation issues, there is an increase in discoloration when you have low blood pressure also or if you suffer from anemia which is common for women of color.
Have you sought assistance from a family physician as well besides the dermatologist?
January 30, 2010 - 10:43amThis Comment
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