Awful skin (pigmentation and pick marks on cheeks for years) PICS included

[Lustard]

Attached are photos of my face. First pic is my right cheek, followed by forehead followed by left cheek.

Would you consider any of this ‘active’ acne? I feel like except the little whitehead in the left cheek pic, all of it is post infallmatory hyperpigmentation from previous acne and pock marks (scars from previous acne). However, sometimes the red marks look much more bright red like now (making it look like new acne) - can that happen with just marks?

It’s getting me really down :( I’ve spent years trying to make it better with a clean diet (only have a few squares of dark chocolate now, no cow milk, not much processed food etc) omega 3 foods but still my skin looks like this.

I’ve tried exfoliators, glycolic acid, exercising, wearing spf, etc but none of it makes a difference. :( I’m tired of spending so much money on pointless potions that make no difference.

Does it look like old scarring and pigmentation or like new active breakouts to you?

Any tried and tested solutions? I’m considering at home microneedling for the pock marks but not sure if it’ll make the pigmentation scarring on my skin worse (as I have dark skin that scars easily)

Just want someone to diagnose and suggest helpful tried and tested solutions - would appreciate it a lot

Do you get a lot of new spots? I'd probably say a laser to get rid of the deep acne scars.

Your pics are fairly blurry to me, but from what I can see, I'd leave your forehead alone.

I would think a really good IPL lazer salon could help.

The really good salons have some great machines.

Milia removal is so simple with a machine they now have.

Lots of people will take your money.
A good, highly recommended dermatologist could help.
I think you have active acne.
So an oral antibiotic could help.

They have come on so much and newer ones don't have side effects.

I would post a general area of where you live and see if any recommendations for people come up.

If names come up, check them out thoroughly.

I love a good facial but have always been very very fussy about who I spend money with.

Some salons have given facials that you could replicate at home for a fraction of the price.

Focus on finding good people to help.

Thanks a lot for the responses so far

Bump

Attached another pic which is hopefully less blurry (of my right cheek which is worst affected)

I live in south east England by the way. Close to London

Hi OP - from your new pic, the scars may be to deep for skincare alone. You made need a treatment and I would advise going to a specialist skin clinic / salon to look at needling or what else might work best. Then you can manage with skincare once improved?

Don't be down ,it's not terrible, and can be fixed, it just won't be overnight.

I think you need to see a dermatologist. Prescription retinol could help with scarring.

Thanks for the replies so far

I wouldn’t do the at home microneedling. I’ve heard many people say it can damage the skin further. I’m afraid I think only a professional can really help. Sorry you are going through this, not being comfortable in your skin is horrid.

I have an amazing facialist you could see when the lockdown is lifted. In your area. She will fix your skin, I have 100% confidence in her skills. If she can't its next stop dermatologist. But she will.
Message me for her info.

Have you tried a mia clarisonic? The reason I mention them is they prep the skin in a way that serums etc absorb so much more effectively and it helps with smoothing. I'd see a skin specialist if it's upsetting you though. Good luck with getting it sorted out x

I'm not an expert OP but that doesn't look like active acne to me - rather scaring (aside from the millia).

As I understand it, the scaring in itself can cause issues in that it creates pockets that are hard to clean and cause build up that creates further issues.

You need to see a dermatologist.

There are no over the counter treatments that will address this.

My knowledge comes from DSD having bad acne and us paying privately for a dermatologist.

If it's any consolation, her skin is now beautiful.

Sorry just to add, I know seeing a dermatologist is expensive, but if you think about how much you have spent in ineffective treatments then (from what we experienced with DSD) it's worth it.