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I have a strange type of acne that seems almost incurable. HELP PLEASE!

By January 29, 2010 - 7:45pm
 
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So here is my problem...I am biracial and have very very pale skin that tends to break out atleast once a week.

The acne I can almost deal with, its the post-acne marks that drive me insane. Because I am of color, I am more prone to hyperpigmentation..and the stuff WILL NOT fade. so i put more make up on to cover it, which leads to more acne..which leads to more dark spots. its a never ending cycle.

I have been to the dermatologist over and over. They say first to deal with the acne, then the scars. I'm currently on my fifth or sixth try at a cream and pill combination. It only makes my skin very red and irritated. Of course this is what the creams are meant to do, to get the skin to peel. But with each layer that comes off, the dark spots seem to get worse.

I am not sure how much more of this I can deal with. Not only is it embarrasing, IT HURTS!!! I have tried proactiv and everything under the sun for the zits...but I think I can deal with one or two a week. But the dark spots are killing me...I've tried every product with hyrdroquinone(I know it's supposedly dangerous...so I use it in small amounts) and other various "bleaching" products.

I just want skin that is managable. I will settle for imperfect skin, but the way my face looks now makes me want to never leave the house. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!

Add a Comment13 Comments

(reply to Christianleigh09)

I am glad that you were able to find some alternatives to talk with your doctor about. It does seem as though there are some new laser surgeries that have proven success (but are costly, and not covered by insurance).

You may be interested in this resources as well; it talks about myths, including that diet can not "cause" acne (in case you receive a suggestion to stay away from chocolate or greasy foods!):
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD): Acne Net
- American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD): Hyperpigmentation mentions a successful treatment, "The q-switched ruby and other pigmented lesion lasers often remove pigment without scarring."

Please let us know what your doctor says, and what treatments you decide to utilize. we can help you conduct more research on specific laser treatments/surgery if you decide to go this route.

January 31, 2010 - 7:59am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

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 - 10:43am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

go to www.acnetreatment4me.com

February 5, 2011 - 11:42pm
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