spots caused by acne- Any way to prevent these?
October 25, 2016 9:01 AM Subscribe
Starting 3 years ago my acne changed. I went through my 20's having some acne that would clear up entirely without leaving any marks... but in my mid 30's I have been unable to get a single zit that will not leave a practically permanent spot.
I've gone to the dermotologist and all he suggested was wearing sunscreen and trying to prevent the acne. I do my best, but the occasional one or two pimples always pop up and marks are left with them.
I guess it's harmonal since this never happened to me before 34? Birth control hasn't seem to help much but I was already on it for many years before it happened.
Literally I have been UNABLE to get a single pimple in these last few years without it leaving behind a mark. Not one. So I know the one on my face right now is going to leave one too even though I've been putting spot cream on it since before it was officially a pimple (you know how you can tell a spot is about to break out. Is there no cure for this? Anything preventative is especially useful.
I've gone to the dermotologist and all he suggested was wearing sunscreen and trying to prevent the acne. I do my best, but the occasional one or two pimples always pop up and marks are left with them.
I guess it's harmonal since this never happened to me before 34? Birth control hasn't seem to help much but I was already on it for many years before it happened.
Literally I have been UNABLE to get a single pimple in these last few years without it leaving behind a mark. Not one. So I know the one on my face right now is going to leave one too even though I've been putting spot cream on it since before it was officially a pimple (you know how you can tell a spot is about to break out. Is there no cure for this? Anything preventative is especially useful.
As I've gotten older, I've experienced this too. Using any kind of spot cream or concealer with benzoyl peroxide seems to make hyperpigmentation worse for me, sorry to say. So you might try stopping that. I instead put triple antibiotic ointment (neosporin) on them, it seems to speed healing and the hyperpigmentation post-pimple fades faster.
Lots of people love Clarisonic for prevention, I haven't tried it myself.
posted by ewok_academy at 9:19 AM on October 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Lots of people love Clarisonic for prevention, I haven't tried it myself.
posted by ewok_academy at 9:19 AM on October 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Hyperpigmentation is the word you want, and yep, there's an entire subgenre of the beauty industry ready to help you out.
I am easing toward a predominantly Korean product regimen, this is a beginner's guide that might start you down the rabbit hole.
Reddit is, unfortunately, one of the best resources for up-to-date information on available products and regimens. If you're willing to use it, there are multiple skincare subs you may want to read.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:25 AM on October 25, 2016
I am easing toward a predominantly Korean product regimen, this is a beginner's guide that might start you down the rabbit hole.
Reddit is, unfortunately, one of the best resources for up-to-date information on available products and regimens. If you're willing to use it, there are multiple skincare subs you may want to read.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:25 AM on October 25, 2016
Ah, as a person of color, I get a lot of spots left behind from acne (hyperpigmentation.) Very annoying. My dermatologist hasn't given me anything to prevent per-say, but the prescribed Retin-A cream helps a lot with old and new scars. It promotes cell turnover so you're basically making new skin, sloughing off that scar. It's not immediate, but in the months-years I've used it, my skin has come back to its normal hue! It works well for preventing any acne for me as well.
posted by socky bottoms at 9:39 AM on October 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by socky bottoms at 9:39 AM on October 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation sucks.
I've had some luck using products with glycolic or alpha-hydroxy acids. Acne.org is associated with Dan Kern (?) and their products are pretty high quality and at a reasonable price point.
It's not a silver bullet but it decreases the time it takes for the darker spots to go away.
I've also had some luck with a prescription topical clindamycin (in ethanol, the gel version loses effectiveness very quickly) in conjunction with benzoyl peroxide to prevent acne from getting worse and into the hyperpigmentation-causing phase.
posted by porpoise at 9:47 AM on October 25, 2016
I've had some luck using products with glycolic or alpha-hydroxy acids. Acne.org is associated with Dan Kern (?) and their products are pretty high quality and at a reasonable price point.
It's not a silver bullet but it decreases the time it takes for the darker spots to go away.
I've also had some luck with a prescription topical clindamycin (in ethanol, the gel version loses effectiveness very quickly) in conjunction with benzoyl peroxide to prevent acne from getting worse and into the hyperpigmentation-causing phase.
posted by porpoise at 9:47 AM on October 25, 2016
i've found that vitamin C serums help with fading marks – i've also used the vitamin c booster powder from philosophy, but its hella messy and i'm not a huge fan of the smell.
posted by speakeasy at 10:05 AM on October 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by speakeasy at 10:05 AM on October 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
I'm not much older than you and I've started to get noticeable (to me) hyperpigmentation after skin problems. I assume it's related mostly to my age and genetics. The spots do still fade a bit.
I don't know what kind of skin you have, but lately I've noticed that occasional yogurt masks can help overall. I think it's mostly the astringency of lactic acid, but being probiotic doesn't hurt. You could even add a tiny squeeze of lemon for vitamin C. I use plain, nonfat greek yogurt.
posted by zennie at 10:17 AM on October 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
I don't know what kind of skin you have, but lately I've noticed that occasional yogurt masks can help overall. I think it's mostly the astringency of lactic acid, but being probiotic doesn't hurt. You could even add a tiny squeeze of lemon for vitamin C. I use plain, nonfat greek yogurt.
posted by zennie at 10:17 AM on October 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
You can ask your dermatologist for a prescription for hydroquinone. Cortisone can leave further marks on skin prone to hyperpigmentation.
I used a hydroquinone sample daily for a about a week on an unfortunately placed pimple scar. It did the trick.
posted by charlielxxv at 10:26 AM on October 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
I used a hydroquinone sample daily for a about a week on an unfortunately placed pimple scar. It did the trick.
posted by charlielxxv at 10:26 AM on October 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Seconding Vitamin C serum. It's miraculous stuff. I use Ost21. I keep it in the fridge to prevent it from oxidizing, and it does an amazing job. I also get instant marks from every blemish, and this acts like an eraser over a matter of weeks/months, as opposed to years in the past. Also, my new fave sunscreen helps.
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 10:35 AM on October 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by thegreatfleecircus at 10:35 AM on October 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
No one has mentioned it yet, but try adapalene/Differin for prevention if you haven't already. Apparently it is now OTC? Retin-A was always too harsh for me even at low strength, and clindamycin was OK, but not as good as adapalene. Worth a shot.
posted by 8603 at 11:11 AM on October 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by 8603 at 11:11 AM on October 25, 2016 [3 favorites]
I have the same problem and retinoids have gotten rid of most of those marks. Neosporin on the zit till it goes away helps as someone said above.
posted by Beethoven's Sith at 11:30 AM on October 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Beethoven's Sith at 11:30 AM on October 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Nthing vitamin c, I use paula's choice 25% spot treatment in the travel size (so you can see if you like it). I find it really speeds healing up from the first sign of the spot.
2% BHA (also Paula's choice) really helps too.
posted by lafemma at 11:48 AM on October 25, 2016
2% BHA (also Paula's choice) really helps too.
posted by lafemma at 11:48 AM on October 25, 2016
The combination of an alpha hydroxy acid cleanser and Differin gel worked really well for me.
posted by lakeroon at 12:31 PM on October 25, 2016
posted by lakeroon at 12:31 PM on October 25, 2016
I haven't had any luck using Neosporin, FWIW. A Google search just now turned up a few articles saying you SHOULDN'T use it for various reasons.
posted by Ursula Hitler at 6:28 PM on October 25, 2016
posted by Ursula Hitler at 6:28 PM on October 25, 2016
oh ohh i cant believe i forgot These cosrx pimple patches which are amazing and i think everyone should try them!!!
posted by speakeasy at 9:40 AM on October 26, 2016
posted by speakeasy at 9:40 AM on October 26, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by phunniemee at 9:18 AM on October 25, 2016 [7 favorites]