3 replies to this topic

[d3r]

Hi I'm new to this site. I've had acne ever since I was 13 and it's mostly been papules and whiteheads. I'm almost 19 now and I'm quite sure what's going on with my skin. I still get inflamed pimples but what I mostly have are small red spots on my cheeks. Most of them are completely flat but some do feel a bit rough compared to the rest of my skin. They've been around for a year or maybe more. Are these pimples or scars or something else? Can I do anything to get rid of them? I've attached a few pictures for reference but my camera isn't very good so you can't really see all of the spots clearly. Does anybody know what they are?

 GFDKJGKFDG.jpg   9.72K   72 downloads  GFDKJGKFDG2.jpg   12.9K   67 downloads

Edited by d3r, 26 July 2012 - 02:35 PM.

[chloelauraa]

Hi!
They're probably PIH - Post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation. They're red marks left behind from spots you've had in the past. Most of the time they fade over time, but I have been told that the more stubborn ones could be broken blood vessels? I'm not sure that's 100% true though. There's a whole board for people trying to get rid of them:
http://www.acne.org/...eft-after-acne/
Natural things that could help are: Lemon juice, Apple Cider Vinegar, Aloe Vera, Tumeric etc. These may take some time to fade them though. There are topics on the above board about where to get the ingredients and how to apply etc.
If they're more stubborn and you want faster results, I guess you could try IPL treatments/chemical peels, but it's reeaaally important you do your research beforehand. Choose a reputable place that does those procedures.

Hope this helps!

[DanTheMan123]

Those should be really easy to get rid of with natural exfoliants. The reason they've stuck around so long is I'm assuming you don't protect them from the sun? Just wear a lot of sunscreen every time you go out, and treat them every day and night with things like Aloe Vera, Emu Oil, honey, pretty much any natural product that has exfoliating/healing properties and they should fade in a couple months

[Murph89]

Agreed with both of them. Wear sunscreen every day (which I'm guilty of not) and use an exfoliant and a red mark product. Honestly with the success I'm having, I would try african black soap twice a day to wash your fac and emu oil at night. I've used emu oil for years and it's amazing at reducing red marks. It's not instant, takes weeks sometimes months, but it works and it's natural and you won't get side effects like retinoids or skin lightening products with chemicals.