15 replies to this topic

[swingline]

okay here's the deal, when i get cut or pop a pimple.. my skin leaves red/brown marks and 50% of the time doesn't go away or barely goes away after a VERY long time. its not just my face too. For example, I cut my arm on the net during volleyball about a year and a half ago but the mark is still on my arm near my wrist. the size shrank a little(an inch long by 1/6 " wide) but it is still definately noticeable from any distance. marks on my face aren't as visible but its still kinda noticeable even after a long period of time, ranging from a month to a year. ok so here's my quetion... what can i use to prevent as much scaring (bumps, indents, but mostly red/brown marks) as possible? Is there also anythign that works well with older red/brown marks? I have heard papaya soap works good but I can't find it anywhere? please list as much products as you can that worked well for you. thanks in advance.

[blkbuttahflyy]

Don't pop or cut (?) a pimple, as hard as it may be. You wouldn't have the marks to deal with if you didn't touch them. Yes, it's hard, I know, but you have to think of the consequences. To fade marks, I suggest applying a topical containing alpha hydroxy acids, hydroquinone or kojic acid, or a combination of the two. My personal favorite is Black Opal Essential Fade Complex. There is a thread about this product.

To help rid of old marks, I suggest a lotion/cream high in alpha hydoxy acids to exfoliate dead skin. My fav is AmLactin cream (can be used on face as well) or lotion which has 12% lactic acid. It's available without a prescription, but I've always had to ask the pharmacist for it. It's also available on www.drugstore.com, www.dermstore.com, and www.dermadoctor.com. It does have a faint smell of ammonia, but it fades considerably fast, in my opinion. It works very well for the body ... even faded that mark on my leg I got when I fell off my bike when I was 4. I'm 33 now.

[swingline]

thanks a lot for the information! i really appreciate it. but one thing, if i don't pop the whiteheads... they just stay there for a long time and its kinda groww having big white puss bubbles comming out of your face .. i guess its a catch 22 :-k

[judith]

If I just don't drain a big white pimple, it'll turn into a painful cyst so here's what I do to drain without a big red mark.

I first poke it with a clean needle and once a little pus comes out, I place a blackhead remover right on top of the needled opening by using mild pressure til theres no more white stuff.

I still get a little red mark but only about twice as big as the needle point because I don't use my fingers to bruise the area around the edges. Since the round opening of the blackhead remover is very small, is just perfect to go over the pus area only to clean the pore.

I hope it'll work for you!!

[hitmanrva10]

how much exactly did that AMLACTIN lotion help for red marks?.....cause if its good it can do some good for me

[blkbuttahflyy]

how much exactly did that AMLACTIN lotion help for red marks?.....cause if its good it can do some good for me

I'm African-American, so my marks aren't red. It works very well for brown marks, so I would assume it would work for red as well. But you need to use it consistently. Also, remember to use SPF during the day.

[hitmanrva10]

i dont mean to sound racist but i have never seen a darked skinned person with acne....ever....

[aurelia]

Hi there ~ you don't sound racist to me. If you take a trip out here I can show you that dark skinned people do have acne (smile) ~ I am medium skinned African American and my daughter if dark skinned and we both are acne sufferers just trying to find the right combo of medicines, topicals...etc to clear it up. Our spots aren't red they are a darker shade of brown.

Aurelia

i dont mean to sound racist but i have never seen a darked skinned person with acne....ever....

[ScarStruck]

i dont mean to sound racist but i have never seen a darked skinned person with acne....ever....

I wish that were true, but there are LOTS of us in all shades of brown

In fact, I think we dark skinned people have a tougher time cause we hyper pigment more easily (more melanin in the skin) and the brown marks stick around for ever. The more intrusive treatments that fair people can use are ruled out for us ](*,)

[aurelia]

Hi there again blkbuttahflyy and other AA's here ~ Do you mind sharing your skin care regime? Feel free to post it or just e-mail me if you'd be more comfortable. As you know I am also AA and I've been using the Proactive Cleanser, Apple Cider Vinegar as a toner, then the proactiv Repairing lotions 2 times a day and applying a prescribed bleaching cream 4% to my scars directly at night. I am also on Doxy and still have mild body acne but just started using Neutrogena Oil-free acne was for that.

I'm noticing a slow & slight improvement but wondering if there is something else I could encorporate into my routine.


Thanks~

Aurelia wah_momma@yahoo.com

I'm African-American, so my marks aren't red. It works very well for brown marks, so I would assume it would work for red as well. But you need to use it consistently. Also, remember to use SPF during the day.

[hitmanrva10]

wow i guess there are then....cause where i live its mostly mexicans and white people...me being a mexican

[iracne]

Swingline-where you on roaacutune ever? ive noticed a similiar thing that when i get a cut/graze from the artificial grass i play football(soccer for my american friends) on they just dont go, whats wrong? when you are a kid you get all manners cuts and scrapes but never rarely mark permanently. anyone else experiensce this

[blkbuttahflyy]

Hi there again blkbuttahflyy and other AA's here ~ Do you mind sharing your skin care regime?  Feel free to post it or just e-mail me if you'd be more comfortable.  As you know I am also AA and I've been using the Proactive Cleanser, Apple Cider Vinegar as a toner, then the proactiv Repairing lotions 2 times a day and applying a prescribed bleaching cream 4% to my scars directly at night.  I am also on Doxy and still have mild body acne but just started using Neutrogena Oil-free acne was for that.

Well, after buying literally thousands of dollars in products over the years, I am now trying the "less is more" approach. Right now I'm using:

MORNING

(1) TCA Cleanser -- from the infamous maker of the TCA Complex, but purchased from eBay. I use the method suggested by glycolic acid cleansers (MD Forte, Aqua Glycolic, MD Formulations) by applying the cleanser to dry skin, waiting a few minutes (long enough to brush my teeth), then using a washcloth and rinsing. I've had this less than a week, but so far, so good. No breakouts to report and my pores aren't the size of craters.



(2) Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3 -- I have the 13.5 oz. bottle of this and tossed in 50 aspirin to kick up the percentage of BHA. A word of caution: using this toner with the added aspirin more than twice a day will make you molt like a snake! And yes, it does contain alcohol.



(3) Ocean Potion Face Potion SPF 45 -- Ingredients include clear zinc oxide so no white cast!! /



EVENING

(1) TCA Cleanser

(2) Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3

(3) AmLactin Cream -- Contains 12% lactic acid.



(4) Black Opal Essential Fade Complex -- Contains 2% Hydroquinone, Kojic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Retinol. I use this to spot treat only.

[img]http://froogle.google.com/froogle_image?q=http://a1061.g.akamai.net/7/1061/5412/home/www.walgreens.com/dbimagecache/120858.gif&dhm=b3266493[/img]

[aurelia]

Thanks for sharing your routine with us blkbuttahflyy! This acne stuff is all about Trial & error!!! so far I am doing ok...I'm waiting for these scars to lighten and it seems like it is taking FOREVER..Grrrrrr.

Aurelia

[hitmanrva10]

hey blbuttaffly what exactly are u using that regimen for? red marks? for how long? has it worked so far?

[blkbuttahflyy]

hey blbuttaffly what exactly are u using that regimen for? red marks? for how long? has it worked so far?

As I have stated before here (see above), I do not suffer from red marks. Anywho ... I am using this regime to control mild, but annoyingly persistent, adult acne and to fade blemishes. I've been using the above products consistently for less than a full week, but, to be perfectly honest, my skin is looking f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s. I honestly believe not inundating my skin with several different products at one time is helping.