I started roaccutane 3 weeks ago, since then I have developed a scab on my face. I am extremely concerned about scarring and this was the reason I took so long to go on this drug, Im 28 and terrified of more scars.

Please help me and tell me what the hell to do so my face doesnt scar with this medication, I feel I just want to die and its not coz Im depressed its because If I have scars on my face after this treatment then I cant live with that fact.

Also I have post Inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne usually purply marks that hang round for up to 16 months or so, please tell me there is a way to prevent these marks on this medication as this is an added concern. Im almost at the point where I am wondering if its worth being on this drug as Im pretty sure I see PIH forming from a few pimples that have come up.

I cant speak to my dermatologist for another 2 days, I need someone to reply to this who can tell me if there are medications for my concerns ie topical or if there is any hope for me at all or if I should abandon this drug.

As an update I spoke to my derm who said i can get fraxel and what not after roaccutane, he didnt seem to care at all that I think my face will be a mess after this drug. i asked about spirolactone as an alternative he said he doesnt prescribe it and to get it prescribed Id have to get a hormonal profile to see if I should go on it by a gp.........I have no idea what to do no one can help me and I just want to die I hate this. Help me please tell me what I can do.

Hi,

I had post inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne scars and it was more than two years before I did anything about it. The red marks within the scars definitely did not go away on it's own. I went to Bellair Laser Clinic in Toronto and had the Fraxel laser treatment for the textural scars and I was pleasantly suprised at how quickly the hyperpigmentation within the scars went away! It took a total of 4 treatments before I was pleased with the texture of the skin, but the post inflammatory hyperpigmentation went away after the first treatment! Although fraxel is typically expensive, I got a really good deal with Bellair for only doing my half face since my forehead does not have any scarring.

I am very Happy with my new Smooth Skin!

Jessica

I know tanning is terrible for the skin, but I can't seem to stay out of the sun and I have so many red marks on my face. I cry myself to sleep because It is so embarassing.

I find when I am tan, you cant see the red marks so that is why I continue to tan.

Is there any topical treatments that are used to get rid of these embarassing red marks?

Alpha hydroxy acids and alpha arbutin combinations work well and fast. Just make sure you buy pharmaceutical grade combinations and not cosmetic grade arbutin/aha. Pharmagrade aha and arbutin come in serum forms. While cosmetic grade come in cream.

Hey Katy More, try putting pure vitamin e (natural, not synthetic), on that scab. You can get it at a health food store. It should keep it from scarring. I had a cyst removed off my face years ago by a plastic surgeon, and he told me that as soon as it scabbed if I would use the Vitamin E, I wouldn't have a scar. It worked!

As for the meds from the dermitologist, we went thru this too with a different script from the doctor. Three weeks later my skin was much worse than when I started. Plus, I had new red marks from all the new pimples that were developing. I dropped the prescription and started using aspirin masks every other night. Vitamin E to moisturize and sea salt water to clean. In 2 weeks, all the pimples are gone, and now I'm trying to get rid of the scarring that was left behind and much worse thanks to the meds from the doctor. I also used Tea Tree oil on the spot pimples, but I've been reading that it is also good for the scarring so I think I'll go back to using it too on the red marks. Good Luck!

Hi, Really good to know dat im not the only one dat suffer with red marks really they are annoying im 14 btw..and sincerely i got this huge breakouts on August in my mid 13s now the area of my cheeks are full with red marks i take vitamins eat fruit and changed the way i eat and i must say it had really improved a lot i dont touch my face i used to do it a lot.....its been 7 months since....what type of sunscreen its good? any type cuz i dont use sunscreen

use sunblock all the time....

Hey there..hmmm one of my family members is using retinol with 100,000UI Vitamin A its natural...i heard it helps red marks....could i also use it? im taking antibiotics...and using benzoyl peroxide 5% and im clear atm although i still get some pimples here and there...

since im a guy do u think that shaving the vellus hairs that are high up on my cheek bones would help exfoliate (since shaving takes off a layer of skin) the hyperpigmentation/redness that was left from acne and gradually make it go away or would it do the opposite and make the redness more pronounced? also would the vellus hairs grow in thicker on my cheek bones??

hey i have a Q. how come i only have it on one side can any one help

does anyone know if differin cream can make the red marks/PIH go away?

There are plenty of articles reporting studies that claim the ill-effects of BP on skin, namely that it causes free radicals that interfere with the healing process, among other things. I'm not able to post links for some reason, otherwise I would give one article of many that describe one of many studies done on BP's affect on skin. Googling is the easiest way to find an article detailing a study.

So if you apply Dan's AHA to red marks and rub it in will it help them heal faster and fade away? I have a major red spot near my nose that has stayed red forever now and i applied some AHA on it today in hopes of speeding up the healing.

I also have Retin-A too, but was told not to use it to spot treat, but really cant see how that would hurt if i just apply it to the red marks.

Any suggestions?