Acne Scars

[beautynista]

Hello ladies...for those of you plagued with acne scars like myself..what have you used/done thats made the scars much lighter. I know in the U.S. now Neutrogena has come up with an Acne scar peel and Clearasil with a whole kit that treats acne scars..it hasn't arrived in Canada yet, have any of you tried it?

P.S. I've tried microdermabrasion but i can hardly use it because i have active acne and i can't use microderm on active acne!

 

[SamanthaBNYC]

I've tried the Neutrogena one, but the bottle is tiny and I forget that I have it so I only use it once every couple weeks. I haven't noticed a difference, but that could be because I'm not using it too often. This Saturday, I'm going to get a Laser Facial at a spa. I know you can use lasers on active acne. I'll let you know how that works out for me after I get it done. The spa is in Manhattan and I live in Queens, so I'm dreading riding the subway with no makeup on.

 

[Leony]

Have you tried any glycolic acid stuff?

Glycolic acid also helps to lighten acne scars and prevent/control acne flare-ups.

 

[Marisol]

Have you tried seeing a dermatologist? Maybe they can determine what product you can use and that will help clear your scars.

 

[beautynista]

Originally Posted by SamanthaBNYC I've tried the Neutrogena one, but the bottle is tiny and I forget that I have it so I only use it once every couple weeks. I haven't noticed a difference, but that could be because I'm not using it too often. This Saturday, I'm going to get a Laser Facial at a spa. I know you can use lasers on active acne. I'll let you know how that works out for me after I get it done. The spa is in Manhattan and I live in Queens, so I'm dreading riding the subway with no makeup on. Good luck and let me know how that goes!
Leony: yes i've just ordered DDF glycolic pads...i'm excited to use them..we'll see how that goes.

Marisol: yeah i've seen a dermatologist..she suggested Accutane but i'm too afraid to try it!!!

Naturally: i use tea tree oil..but it doesn't really help unfortunately.

 

[Leony]

Good luck and hope everything will work out for you!

Originally Posted by beautynista Good luck and let me know how that goes!
Leony: yes i've just ordered DDF glycolic pads...i'm excited to use them..we'll see how that goes.

Marisol: yeah i've seen a dermatologist..she suggested Accutane but i'm too afraid to try it!!!

Naturally: i use tea tree oil..but it doesn't really help unfortunately.

 

[XOffendr]

I would suggest something with azelaic acid. I use a bleaching system with azelaic acid in it, and it really lightened the pigmentation marks, within less than ten days. I'd also say 'stay out of the sun' which you probably already know, since it darkens any existing marks. Azelaic acid has been proven to be as effective as Metrogel for reducing redness and inflammation associated with rosacea, so it's no wonder it works for acne, as well.

http://dermnetnz.org/treatments/azelaic-acid.html

 

[Moneeka]

I used 10% glycolic acid on mine and they lightened but i definitley got to try out that acd stuff

 

[sheubear]

oh yes, agreed! Most whitening products are abrasive skin peeling agent that exposes the thinned skin direct to sun and that can cause freckles and burns.

Originally Posted by Naturally STAYING out of the Sun is a DEFINITE! When using ANY product for lightening skin you should ALWAYS use a sunscreen.

 

[beautynista]

Originally Posted by XOffendr I would suggest something with azelaic acid. I use a bleaching system with azelaic acid in it, and it really lightened the pigmentation marks, within less than ten days. I'd also say 'stay out of the sun' which you probably already know, since it darkens any existing marks. Azelaic acid has been proven to be as effective as Metrogel for reducing redness and inflammation associated with rosacea, so it's no wonder it works for acne, as well.
http://dermnetnz.org/treatments/azelaic-acid.html

thanks for the info..i've never heard of azelaic acid! Do you know where i can purchase products containing aa?

 

[XOffendr]

I use a product called Dr. Varon's Skin Bleaching System, and it's really helped my complexion. It's a three step system that consists of a dermabrasion cream (not a scrub), a skin brightening lotion, and a lightening treatment. The lightening treatment I'm not actually sure does much at all...It contains hydroquinone 2%, but it also contains mineral oil, which blocks penetration of the hydroquinone. The brightening lotion, however, is almost worth buying the entire package alone...and I follow up with the lightening treatment, just because I'm not convinced it's completely useless, even though my instincts tell me it is. It contains a number of ingredients, but two of the first five mentioned are glycolic acid and azelaic acid. Others are lemon peel, comfrey, chamomile, garlic, and a number of chemicals I'm not sure about. Anyhoo, it's the only product I've found that contains azelaic acid. I'm acne prone, and I might possibly have rosacea, all the women in my family have been diagnosed with it, and my skin is very sensitive, but I tolerate this product very well. I think it would be better, though, to use the dermabrasion cream and the skin brightening lotion, followed with a skin lightener that does not contain mineral oil, to see maximum benefits. The system can be ordered online, or found in a drugstore.

 

[beautynista]

Originally Posted by XOffendr I use a product called Dr. Varon's Skin Bleaching System, and it's really helped my complexion. It's a three step system that consists of a dermabrasion cream (not a scrub), a skin brightening lotion, and a lightening treatment. The lightening treatment I'm not actually sure does much at all...It contains hydroquinone 2%, but it also contains mineral oil, which blocks penetration of the hydroquinone. The brightening lotion, however, is almost worth buying the entire package alone...and I follow up with the lightening treatment, just because I'm not convinced it's completely useless, even though my instincts tell me it is. It contains a number of ingredients, but two of the first five mentioned are glycolic acid and azelaic acid. Others are lemon peel, comfrey, chamomile, garlic, and a number of chemicals I'm not sure about. Anyhoo, it's the only product I've found that contains azelaic acid. I'm acne prone, and I might possibly have rosacea, all the women in my family have been diagnosed with it, and my skin is very sensitive, but I tolerate this product very well. I think it would be better, though, to use the dermabrasion cream and the skin brightening lotion, followed with a skin lightener that does not contain mineral oil, to see maximum benefits. The system can be ordered online, or found in a drugstore. You've been of great help! i found the kit on drugstore.com which offers int'l shipping...i do have one more question though

cuz now i'm seriously considering this kit cuz its actually affordable! after using it...since it's a "bleaching" treatment....did you see any difference between your face's skintone and your neck's skintone?(one lighter than the other) or was it uniform? Thanks!!

 

[XOffendr]

I really wouldn't expect to get uniform skintone from this product...What it's best at is exfoliating without harsh scrubs, and reducing redness (in the long run). Steps 1 & 3 are the only thing that really makes the product worth buying. And I have to say, too, initially your skin will just be worse, as is typical with most peels, or exfoliant acids...

I'd seriously suggest skipping the skin lightening treatment (step 2) because hydroquinone has cortisteroid properties...which is why it's sooo good at initially relieving redness and inflammation...but eventually it leads to a wealth of problems, like cortizone acne and skin thickening, or more commonly, thinning. Especially on the forehead....I'm planning on purchasing a natural alternative to the hydroquinone and replacing step 2, which I use as a spot treatment, currently, rather than all over my face.

These treatments won't make your skin lighter, per se. They don't actually bleach. They just prevent pigmentation from occuring, and cause exfoliation, so you see new brighter skin. If anything your face will be temporarily pinker than your neck.

 

[beautynista]

Originally Posted by XOffendr I really wouldn't expect to get uniform skintone from this product...What it's best at is exfoliating without harsh scrubs, and reducing redness (in the long run). Steps 1 & 3 are the only thing that really makes the product worth buying. And I have to say, too, initially your skin will just be worse, as is typical with most peels, or exfoliant acids...
I'd seriously suggest skipping the skin lightening treatment (step 2) because hydroquinone has cortisteroid properties...which is why it's sooo good at initially relieving redness and inflammation...but eventually it leads to a wealth of problems, like cortizone acne and skin thickening, or more commonly, thinning. Especially on the forehead....I'm planning on purchasing a natural alternative to the hydroquinone and replacing step 2, which I use as a spot treatment, currently, rather than all over my face.

These treatments won't make your skin lighter, per se. They don't actually bleach. They just prevent pigmentation from occuring, and cause exfoliation, so you see new brighter skin. If anything your face will be temporarily pinker than your neck.

Thanks a lot

 

[SamanthaBNYC]

Originally Posted by SamanthaBNYC I've tried the Neutrogena one, but the bottle is tiny and I forget that I have it so I only use it once every couple weeks. I haven't noticed a difference, but that could be because I'm not using it too often. This Saturday, I'm going to get a Laser Facial at a spa. I know you can use lasers on active acne. I'll let you know how that works out for me after I get it done. The spa is in Manhattan and I live in Queens, so I'm dreading riding the subway with no makeup on. I got the laser facial done on Saturday. It left my skin feeling really clean. However, it did not remove any acne scars. It was like having a regular facial. I was kind of hoping it would have been more medical (like removing or at least reducing some of the acne scars). The lady who did it told me that my skin was really tough and not at all soft, she had never felt skin so tough. She asked me what I had done to it, so I told her about all the acne medications that I've taken. When I mentioned Retin-A, she said it makes the skin tough, so that's probably why. I still think Retin-A is incredible and 20/20 hindsight, I'd still use Retin-A again. I would not recommend the laser facial to remove acne scars.

 

[XOffendr]

Originally Posted by SamanthaBNYC I got the laser facial done on Saturday. It left my skin feeling really clean. However, it did not remove any acne scars. It was like having a regular facial. I was kind of hoping it would have been more medical (like removing or at least reducing some of the acne scars). The lady who did it told me that my skin was really tough and not at all soft, she had never felt skin so tough. She asked me what I had done to it, so I told her about all the acne medications that I've taken. When I mentioned Retin-A, she said it makes the skin tough, so that's probably why. I still think Retin-A is incredible and 20/20 hindsight, I'd still use Retin-A again. I would not recommend the laser facial to remove acne scars. Did you find the laser facial did anything to even out your skintone? I've read that they help with mottling and blotching, so I've been thinking of having it done. I use retin-A, and I don't think it's ever made my skin tough. I can't live without retin-A.

 

[SamanthaBNYC]

Originally Posted by XOffendr Did you find the laser facial did anything to even out your skintone? I've read that they help with mottling and blotching, so I've been thinking of having it done. I use retin-A, and I don't think it's ever made my skin tough. I can't live without retin-A. I didn't think it evened out my skin tone. I think it cleaned it very nicely and cleared out some of the blackheads, but it didn't remove any acne scars, blotches or mottling. The lady who did it recommended that I schedule weekly appointments and over time I'd see a difference. That ends up being very costly, for something that will "improve" rather than "eliminate" acne scars. Again, this was at a spa, so I don't think they're using the most potent lasers. I'm guessing that if I had done the same procedure at a dermatology or plastic surgery office, it would have been more aggressive. I haven't been on Retin-A for years (about a decade now). When I first started Retin-A, it was in the 80's and they prescribed very high concentrations of it (I don't think they even make those super-high concentrations nowadays), so maybe the stuff from those days could harden the skin. But, back then when nothing could get rid of my cystic acne, Retin-A did and I never had side effects from it. I'm thankful that my dermatologist prescribed it.

 

[Shele]

I have used a product called NutriMin C RE9 by Arbonne International. I like it so well I signed up for membership just to recieve the discount. It is the best product I have ever put on my skin. It is all natural and I truly believe in these products. It helps clear your face and heal up scars and pitting. I have spent thousands of dollars on skin care products over the years and I'm happy to say that I have cleared my bathroom counters of all the other products that were not working for me.

Good luck!

Hi Shele,

Welcome to MakeupTalk! Glad to have you here. We love having more Arbonne product enthusiasts and are happy that you've joined!

You might not have been aware of the spam rules outlined in the registration section. It is considered "spamming" to promote other web sites with referral links. Chances are that you have overlooked this or did not fully understand it.

NO big deal! I have edited your post so that it does not have the promotional link. We want you on board, but need to be sensitive to the spam issue. Kindly review our rules here

Once again, thank you for joining MakeupTalk. We look forward to your posts.

Sincerely,

Naturally

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