post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation products for brown skin

[themisfit]

omg, my entire left cheek is covered with hyperpigmentation spots, and it just looks like ONE BLACK SPOT. It's humiliating! I've been prescribed azelaic acid by the derm, but it STINGS. so I dont use it that regularly (but I really should). I've tried exfoliating, facials, etc...but nothing seems to be working. I can't even find a good cover up that'll hide the discoloration until it's treated.

 

[cindel25]

Can anyone recommend a product without AHA? When I was young, I used a drugstore brand that left my cheek with dark bumps irritation.

I've been using Loreal Micro-Dermabrasion that actually lighten my cheek a bit but no longer effective. Now I'm using RX for Brown Skin Botanical Brightener.

 

[sparletta]

I have dealt with this problem for many, many years

and have tried thousands of dollars worth of products. The one thing that I have found to be just amazing in reducing the dark spots (I get them whether I pick or don't touch it at all) is 100% tea tree oil. I bought mine from an organic food store but OMG I saw results the very next day! It stings for a few minutes when you put it on (I apply ONLY on the spot with a q tip) but I like that because I feel like it's working. I'm an NC44 btw.

 

[MAC_Pixie04]

I've never heard of Tea Tree Oil having any kind of brightening ability. I know it's an antiseptic and an anti-inflammatory, which is great for acne conditions, but as far as lightening the skin...hmmmm I'm not sure I'd recommend it for that.

Not to knock what you're noticing with your skin, it just doesn't seem very likely to me. Perhaps there's some research to be done on that.

 

[reesesilverstar]

Awesome thread!

The regimen that worked for me (before I got lazy) is

Washing my face with Blacksoap (the natural unrefined kind)
Tone with Sea Breeze Actives
Moisturize with Jojoba and raw shea butter

At night I used to use an AHA to help with the skin turnover.

Exfoliate (I use St. Ive's sensitive) every 2 days.

Queen Helene Mint julep mask on Saturdays

When the acne first appears, I put tea tree oil on them. It helps with the itching and burning, and with the drying process.

 

[elektra513]

When long-term use of HQ is properly done (and well-monitored) it can work famously...I just got rx for Lustra and am already noticing a difference, much faster than the OTC formulations. The trick is to use it 3 months on, 1 month off for most people, and of course an spf of 30+.

That said, Skin Effects by Dr. Dover (CVS, $20) is one of the best OTC products out there for PIH.

Using an AHA/BHA serum on the skin at night in conjunction can also speed the process along, but at the end of the day, time is going to determine if and when the skin will lighten (also overlightening would only occur due to improper use of the product, ie, applying it to skin that does not need lightening). After all, the spot is there for a reason, so if the skin is not allowed to heal properly (from whatever caused the dark spot to appear in the first place) it will not heal as quickly as one would like for it to.

HTH

 

[arounddawaygyrl]

I have had this problem for years! The main problem I've noticed is that I will expect results overnight...and after a week of following a good regimen, I will get lazy and stop. I also pick on my face instead of just letting the acne breathe {i've just started placing antibiotic ointment on them} and wait for them to go away on their own. Some of the products I've used that helped were:

St. Ives Apricot Scrub "medicated" {exfoliates but leaves skin a little dry, must follow up with a good moisturizer} I use Dove or Aloe Vera Gel.

Microdermabrasion Treatment by Dr. Jan Adams {Wow! is all I can say, and it smell's so good, there are almonds inside, and it looks like your rubbing gold into your skin} Unfortunately, this is the same Dr. involved in the Dr. West surgery (Kanye's mom)

but his products are really good and recommended for Women of Color...bought it from Walgreens, but here is the website:
Dr. Jan Adams Women Of Color - Dr Jan Adams Women of Color He also has a lightener but I haven't tried it...

I've tried some other products that have hydroquinone like Palmer's and I think some of the Black Opal & Ambi products do as well.

Aveeno has a skin lightener, I have it somewhere around here, lol...and I think they have been trying to use Soy??? This product gave me more acne...

Black soap and shea butter is good too, I agree with the other ladies on that.

There are some products I've heard great things about that I want to try from...

Juice Beauty - The Organic Skin Care Solution

They specialize in using lemon juice which is also a natural skin lightener.

If anyone has used their products, let me know how they work.

 

[SassyMochaJess]

I So Have This Problem As Well And My Acne Is Mild To Moderate Not That Bad In My Opinion For I Know Ppl That Have It Worst But I Haye The "black" Spots On Only My Righy Cheek And A Few On My Chin. But My Skin Has Been Better Now. Just Cleansing With Aveeno's Facial Pads(clear Complexion) A Mild Store Brand Toner W/ Like 86% Witch Hazel And Aveeno's Moisterizer W/ Spf 30.

The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil Srub And Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask, These Are Done Once Or Twice A Week.

This Has Maintained Almost Clear Skin But The Spots Are Stll Visible But Slowly Getting Better. Still I Don't Go Anywhere With Out My Concealer Lol...

 

[sharronmarie]

Ive been using Cliniques Even Better Skin Tone Corrector and it has really worked for me. Its a little pricey at 39.50 but it was worth it.

 

[Palzonia]

I had severe PIH from Chicken Pox a couple of months back and tried almost everything to get it lighten them, but they didn't seem to be going away in a hurry.
Then I found this amazing cream called Melacare... it's 2% hydroquinone and 0.025% tretinoin. You're supposed to ease into it (apply for an hour first week, then 203 hours, till you can leave it on overnight.. to be used only at night always).
The hydroquinone is a lightenng agent and the tretinoin is a cell regenerating one. In the first ocuple of weeks it makes your skin flake a bit so use a good moisturiser and sunscreen at all times.

I had over 40-50 PIH black brown marks on my face and they're gone in two months to the point that I don't need to use concealer anymore, just a foundation makes skin look flawless again..

in case you don't find Melacare, buying the two separately and mixing them up to use may work as well.. best of luck

 

[GlamQueen21]

I have Dark Spots on my forehead and I hate them with a passion! I use the Ambi Fade Cream twice a day to make them fade and it's works!

 

[sitarocks]

I have these too and have tried everything. I finally went down the acid route first trying the kiehls overnight peel- did nothing and is horrid to sleep in!
Then tried glycolic acid (30%), was so painful and ended up with minor chemical burn. My face looked like I had scraped my skin especially on my upper cheeks. However my skin looked great after. I think that because I use benzoyl peroxide maybe my skin has got more sensitive?
I bought it online and it was super cheap (under a tenner) all you have to do is neutralise with bicarb and it’s done in less than ten minutes. But I would do it on a Friday night so any scabbing or redness goes down by Monday!

 

[CGBee]

i recently got a glycolic peel at a local spa.
i noticed a difference and it was the first one.
i will probably go back for another one in a week or two.
im considering alternating between microdermabrasion and the peels

my dermatologist prescribed me tri-luma
but im too lazy to remember to put it on.

 

[nichollecaren]

I have a white patch on my cheek...my next derm appt is in two weeks...but I need help covering it! no amt of concealor works...help!

 

[electra]

Hmm, looks like this thread has been dead for a few months....

Although I have a bunch of issues going on with my face, I think hyperpigmentation is one of them. I can't say if it's major or not. For some people, I may not look like I have a lot, but I notice my spots so they are kind of a big deal for me.

I'm rather sick of wasting time and money on products that either don't work or irritate and break me out more. I just want something to work. Sometimes I don't think even going to a dermatologist helps. I did a few months back and she didn't really seem like she wanted to properly examine me, feel my skin or anything.

Don't mean to rant, but I feel I wanted to vent some frustration. Probably not the best place to find help, but I'm sort of desperate so I found this thread.

Although make up is fine, I feel skincare is where people should invest their money. The better their skin, the less need of makeup. I want to be able to use no more than a tinted moisturizer. T^T

 

[AdrianUT]

I can totally understand everyone's pain, I am having so many skin issues from acne and peri-oral dermatitis. Azelex works well but, its not helping my actuall acne so I've given up on it. I'm using Taz about 2 times week and occasionally BP on active pimples. I had to stop using harsh acne treatments because they cause my dermitis to flare. I have had success in the past with a creme called "Porcelena" it has hydroquinone in it but, I can't use it now because it causes more breakouts.

Surprisingly Mederma, of all things has helped a lot. I use the gel at night (all over) and in the morning I spot it on my darkest scars and within a few weeks they have lightened tremendously. It's pretty costly but, I have spent more on makeup and skincare. I use so little the tube will probably last a long while.

 

[SoSoSteph]

My advice is to see a dermatologist especially if you want rapid result. Hydroquinone does work and you can use it safely as I have on several occassions, but it's like any other medicinal product, follow the directions and use it appropriately and I highly doubt you will have all the issues that have been talked about in this thread.

First, get your acne under control if you have not already (I think you said you didn't have any blemishes but let a doctor tell you what to do on that).

nce it's under control... then try to correct the tone of your skin, because if you are getting breakouts and picking them it will serve no purpose to correct those dark marks because you will get them all over again.

Also, try to get a chemical peel done at a Medical Spa where there is a dermatologist on staff, not at a day spa. You may need a series of peels.

Also, if you are patient and not wanting to correct your skin really quickly you can try Ambi fade cream, it's gentle and works well.

I am speaking to you from someone who has suffered from acne since they were 14, have tried almost every OTC product and spents thousands of dollars on prescription products.

IMO, most things that you find OTC or in sephora do not work. Seek out a medical doctor's advice in getting your skin in order plus you have the added benefit of using your health insurance to subsidize the cost of your products.

I have just finished a round of accutane and it was 6 bucks a month for me to get on it, way cheaper and extremely effective than any of the OTC stuff you find out there.

 

[electra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoSoSteph My advice is to see a dermatologist especially if you want rapid result. Hydroquinone does work and you can use it safely as I have on several occassions, but it's like any other medicinal product, follow the directions and use it appropriately and I highly doubt you will have all the issues that have been talked about in this thread. First, get your acne under control if you have not already (I think you said you didn't have any blemishes but let a doctor tell you what to do on that). nce it's under control... then try to correct the tone of your skin, because if you are getting breakouts and picking them it will serve no purpose to correct those dark marks because you will get them all over again. Also, try to get a chemical peel done at a Medical Spa where there is a dermatologist on staff, not at a day spa. You may need a series of peels. Also, if you are patient and not wanting to correct your skin really quickly you can try Ambi fade cream, it's gentle and works well. I am speaking to you from someone who has suffered from acne since they were 14, have tried almost every OTC product and spents thousands of dollars on prescription products. IMO, most things that you find OTC or in sephora do not work. Seek out a medical doctor's advice in getting your skin in order plus you have the added benefit of using your health insurance to subsidize the cost of your products. I have just finished a round of accutane and it was 6 bucks a month for me to get on it, way cheaper and extremely effective than any of the OTC stuff you find out there.

Isn't Accutane a bit dangerous?
I am probably not one of those people who need it but still, if it's an option, I have to know what to expect.

Thanks

 

[machonesty]

been using clinique even better skin tone corrector 2x daily with sunscreen ( a must) exfoliate 2-3x week with mechanical scrub (philosophy scrub 1x week) glycolic acid toner 1-2x week (never do the 2 on the same day). spots take a while, but they will lighten/fade. HTH

 

[SoSoSteph]

Quote:

Originally Posted by electra Isn't Accutane a bit dangerous? I am probably not one of those people who need it but still, if it's an option, I have to know what to expect. Thanks

Yes, the drug Accutane is dangerous and can cause birth defects, that's why you are not allowed to come in contact with the drug if you are pregnant and should not become pregnant if you are on accutane. Your doctor would explain everything in detail. There are a lot of hoops to jump through to get on it and a lot of things you must do as precautions to use the drug safely. But overall, I had wonderful results and no longer get breakouts.