Post-acne red spots
February 9, 2011 10:40 AM Subscribe
Post-acne red spots and discoloration - YANMD but do I have to see a dermatologist or is there another solution? Pic included
Throughout my teens I had pretty bad acne and a period of about a year when I had cystic acne. I'm 19 and I stopped getting regular breakouts and pimples. I have been using the OCM for about a year and it makes my skin feel great (and look great in spots without the redness).
The discoloration and red/dark spots are pretty much exclusively around my mouth and on my cheeks. I still get occasional pimples around my period and I had a major breakout around my mouth in December because of stress from finals.
It doesn't look that bad in the pictures, but it's a lot more noticeable in person, even when I am wearing concealer/foundation. Here is a picture.
Is there any solution? Should I go to a dermatologist? Am I overreacting? It's really noticeable (to me anyway) because I have pale skin.
Throughout my teens I had pretty bad acne and a period of about a year when I had cystic acne. I'm 19 and I stopped getting regular breakouts and pimples. I have been using the OCM for about a year and it makes my skin feel great (and look great in spots without the redness).
The discoloration and red/dark spots are pretty much exclusively around my mouth and on my cheeks. I still get occasional pimples around my period and I had a major breakout around my mouth in December because of stress from finals.
It doesn't look that bad in the pictures, but it's a lot more noticeable in person, even when I am wearing concealer/foundation. Here is a picture.
Is there any solution? Should I go to a dermatologist? Am I overreacting? It's really noticeable (to me anyway) because I have pale skin.
I use Philosophy's On a Clear Day Retinol Clarifying Lotion for this. I have no idea if there are comparable, cheaper brands that do the same thing (but would love suggestions if anyone has them!).
posted by runningwithscissors at 11:33 AM on February 9, 2011
posted by runningwithscissors at 11:33 AM on February 9, 2011
You can try using a chemical exfoliant, like BHA (beta hydroxy acid, A.K.A. salicylic acid). I'm super-pale and I had cystic acne on my chin for almost ten years, so I still have some blotchy red marks left behind; regularly using Paula's Choice 2% BHA lotion has helped a lot in improving how my skin in that area looks. (BHA is also antibacterial and helpful in preventing cystic acne acne and blackheads because it cuts through oil to exfoliate the lining of the pore and improve the shape so oil and dirt are less likely to be trapped.) If you don't want to use a lotion, Paula's Choice also has a BHA gel.
posted by neushoorn at 12:25 PM on February 9, 2011
posted by neushoorn at 12:25 PM on February 9, 2011
I saw the dermatologist last week regarding a similar issue. She said that the red spots can take weeks to months to completely go away on their own. She's a big believer in Retin-A which speeds up the turnover rate of your skin cells and will get rid of the marks quickly. I had been on Differin in the past which worked for the last few years but I stopped using it regularly and everything came back! The Retin-A does seem to be working now.
If you have the means and ability to see a dermatologist I recommend it.
posted by wilky at 12:57 PM on February 9, 2011
If you have the means and ability to see a dermatologist I recommend it.
posted by wilky at 12:57 PM on February 9, 2011
Are you wearing a sunscreen? Sun can make red spots look worse. You can also try the aspirin mask so beloved of MakeupAlley types.
posted by Ideefixe at 1:40 PM on February 9, 2011
posted by Ideefixe at 1:40 PM on February 9, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by punchtothehead at 10:48 AM on February 9, 2011