Options for old, dark hypertrophic scars on back/shoulders from acne?
May 28, 2015 5:15 PM Subscribe
Scars are 5-10 years old and my derm doesn't think they can be faded! Would love to wear tank tops, bikinis, etc. but hate showing these dark scars on my shoulders.
As a teenager, I suffered from relatively severe acne on my back and shoulders (extending from neck to bra-strap level). This left me with some hypertrophic scars on my shoulders/back that are significantly darker than my medium, east Asian skintone. The scars are about the size of the original acne lesions and used to be raised. However, I've visited the dermatologist and gotten a couple rounds of Kenalog injections which have mostly flattened them out.
The problem is that the hyperpigmentation has not improved at all. Because my scars are now at least five, if not ten, years old, my dermatologist advised me that hydroquinone and other topical solutions were unlikely to work. He offered laser therapy as a possible solution but also seemed quite pessimistic about their efficacy for my case.
Has anyone else had much luck fading very old hyperpigmented scars? Particularly ones that were previously hypertrophic/keloid? My skin is not particularly sensitive and I still have some mild acne, but nothing that seems to be producing hypertrophic scars anymore. I'm already aware of keeping out of the sun, religiously using sunscreen, etc. but these measures are more to prevent future scarring than to fade existing scars! Every summer I long to wear backless tops/dresses (or even racerback tanks) but I hate exposing the scars because from afar it looks like I still suffer from really bad bacne.
As a teenager, I suffered from relatively severe acne on my back and shoulders (extending from neck to bra-strap level). This left me with some hypertrophic scars on my shoulders/back that are significantly darker than my medium, east Asian skintone. The scars are about the size of the original acne lesions and used to be raised. However, I've visited the dermatologist and gotten a couple rounds of Kenalog injections which have mostly flattened them out.
The problem is that the hyperpigmentation has not improved at all. Because my scars are now at least five, if not ten, years old, my dermatologist advised me that hydroquinone and other topical solutions were unlikely to work. He offered laser therapy as a possible solution but also seemed quite pessimistic about their efficacy for my case.
Has anyone else had much luck fading very old hyperpigmented scars? Particularly ones that were previously hypertrophic/keloid? My skin is not particularly sensitive and I still have some mild acne, but nothing that seems to be producing hypertrophic scars anymore. I'm already aware of keeping out of the sun, religiously using sunscreen, etc. but these measures are more to prevent future scarring than to fade existing scars! Every summer I long to wear backless tops/dresses (or even racerback tanks) but I hate exposing the scars because from afar it looks like I still suffer from really bad bacne.
Vitamin E oil has worked for me to soften older scars.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:58 PM on May 28, 2015
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:58 PM on May 28, 2015
Acid peels can go a long way toward returning that pigmentation to normal. The best resource I've found is Makeup Artist's Choice. They have great prices and can expertly help direct you based on your specific issues if you call and/or email photos. Follow their guidelines strictly and ramp up the acid concentrations you're using so you don't damage your skin.
posted by quince at 6:02 PM on May 28, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by quince at 6:02 PM on May 28, 2015 [6 favorites]
I might have to PM you for your skincare routine. Not trying to derail, but lobbying for an alternative viewpoint on the problem I hope you've considered: trying to minimize the amount it bothers you. I (also Asian) have backne scars, too, and it sometimes bothers me.
My boyfriend? He thinks that they "look really cool, like leopard spots." He also thinks that my orange-peel-like enlarged cheek and nose pores look "cute, like 3-D freckles." The very things which could and do sometimes bother me, he likes about me.
I know you asked for specific scar-fading advice (and I hope you get it) and I'm not trying to preach or anything. I'm glad you asked this question because I want to know the answer, too. Just saying that it might not bother other people the way you think it does, and if that's what's holding you back I'd advocate (in addition to pursuing treatment if you want) just trying to wear those things if you want to wear them. You aren't barred from wearing cute tops and dresses because you think you have imperfect skin.
I have a giant (likely permanent, says my derm) darkened patch on the front of my shin, it's almost the size of my palm and is from over-using OTC hydrocortizones on my eczema in high school for years and years before I knew better. I actually have several, this is just the largest. People think it's a bruise. But their comments are out of concern, not disgust, and I'm not going to wear long pants all summer just because. In fact, I think those super cute tops and dresses distract people from skin flaws, because most people aren't looking all that closely. Most of them aren't thinking a thing at all when they look at you other than that you look pretty.
posted by spelunkingplato at 6:03 PM on May 28, 2015 [23 favorites]
My boyfriend? He thinks that they "look really cool, like leopard spots." He also thinks that my orange-peel-like enlarged cheek and nose pores look "cute, like 3-D freckles." The very things which could and do sometimes bother me, he likes about me.
I know you asked for specific scar-fading advice (and I hope you get it) and I'm not trying to preach or anything. I'm glad you asked this question because I want to know the answer, too. Just saying that it might not bother other people the way you think it does, and if that's what's holding you back I'd advocate (in addition to pursuing treatment if you want) just trying to wear those things if you want to wear them. You aren't barred from wearing cute tops and dresses because you think you have imperfect skin.
I have a giant (likely permanent, says my derm) darkened patch on the front of my shin, it's almost the size of my palm and is from over-using OTC hydrocortizones on my eczema in high school for years and years before I knew better. I actually have several, this is just the largest. People think it's a bruise. But their comments are out of concern, not disgust, and I'm not going to wear long pants all summer just because. In fact, I think those super cute tops and dresses distract people from skin flaws, because most people aren't looking all that closely. Most of them aren't thinking a thing at all when they look at you other than that you look pretty.
posted by spelunkingplato at 6:03 PM on May 28, 2015 [23 favorites]
I was reading about this Paula's Choice product the other day. Not sure how well it would work, but it wouldn't break the bank either.
posted by Youremyworld at 7:40 PM on May 28, 2015
posted by Youremyworld at 7:40 PM on May 28, 2015
Not all lasers work equally well for all skin/hair colour combinations; which lasers does your derm use? It might be you need one they don't have. Last I knew, the NdYag was recommended for medium-to-dark skin tones. (But, it's still worth using sunscreen - maybe even avoiding those backless dresses - to prevent darkening of your existing scars.)
posted by cotton dress sock at 9:47 PM on May 28, 2015
posted by cotton dress sock at 9:47 PM on May 28, 2015
Bio-Oil is incredible. I don't even know why I believed the reviews bought to try it. So glad I did, I would give it a try. I don't heal, so every stupid thing leaves me with a scar and Bio-Oil has erased all of them in a matter of weeks after daily use. It's on Amazon. I don't understand the magic, but it is magic.
posted by crankyrogalsky at 9:52 PM on May 28, 2015
posted by crankyrogalsky at 9:52 PM on May 28, 2015
Seconding the recommendation for Makeup Artist's Choice. Check out their testimonials section for pics of the acid peel results, definitely email them for help picking the right product for your needs.
posted by palomar at 10:00 PM on May 28, 2015
posted by palomar at 10:00 PM on May 28, 2015
This might be kind of out there, but maybe try dermarolling? (You might need someone else to do it for you, on your back.) Supposedly it works quite well for these types of pigmentation issues. It's also a long-term kind of treatment that won't give you results for several months, but when I was looking into it a while back people seemed really happy in the end.
posted by erratic meatsack at 12:11 PM on May 29, 2015
posted by erratic meatsack at 12:11 PM on May 29, 2015
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