Acne scars

[sandalsinthebin]

DD (21) has scarring on her cheeks from bad teenage acne. The acne was eventually cleared up with Roaccutane but the damage was already done. The scars/pits are not dark and are only visible in certain light. She's saved up some cash to get them treated, eg laser / microdermabrasion and has done some research but she's not sure about the best treatment to get and also not sure about how unbiased the online reviews might be, Can anyone recommend a treatment that has worked for them or someone they know? She's got fair skin. Thanks in advance.

All I can think of is bio oil. Just commenting so this gets bumped up for you op. Best of luck

Place marking!

Thanks for the bump @stayathomer she's tried bio oil

Azelaic acid and glycolic acid help to fade acne-related post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (which isn’t the same as a scar). If she does have scars I don’t think topical treatments can help with the texture

I had the same issue years ago and did two courses of roaccutane. This was 25 years ago when only microdermabrasion was available. Not only was it super expensive then but extortionately expensive. I didn’t do it but was always self conscious. Then came Fraxel laser. I needed 2 treatments and although my skin isn’t perfect I am very comfortable going bare faced in public anytime

I had the same problem and looked into microdermabrasian, but left it over a year because of the accuatane. But - the scars largely faded on their own. Microdermabrasian did seem the best option though

My DD (early 20s) was very unhappy (and getting a bit depressed I think) with the acne scars on her forehead (which were very obvious). She has just completed a six week treatment of microneedling and as if by magic all the scarring has gone! It is wonderful to see her confidence and joie de vivre return. She is now happy to be seen without makeup. It wasn't cheap and I helped her, but it was worth every penny.

I had Fraxel laser treatment after Roaccutane, too. Great results! I had scarring on my cheeks.

Thank you for the advice and insights. Much appreciated. I'll pass them on to DD

I hope you don’t mind me jumping on this thread OP but I’ve been looking for advice on Roaccutane for DD who is 15.

Her acne isn’t that bad but it’s v persistent and she’s tried all sorts from the Dr. over the last few years so we are now seeing a private dermatologist who has recommended Roaccutane.

I’ve just read so many scary things about it so I’m quite worried about her taking it but the derm was so positive that it would clear her skin within 6 months and I know how much that would improve her confidence. Also the derm said she could see where DD was starting to get a few scars which is why she is keen for her to start treatment.

So, if anyone has any positive stories or advice it would be great to hear them.

Thanks.

I took it and it changed my life. I tried everything and wish I'd tried that before my skin scarred. It cost a fortune to put that right and it's not a 100% fix.

I was 28, though, when I started with it after coming off combined Pill (and no, I don't have PCOS).

Thanks Batshit - did you have any side effects at all?

Just the usuals, very dry everything. I used a lot of eye drops and lip balm and Vaseline inside my nose and drank a lot of water. SO worth it. I had really bad acne and it just would not go away. I had the laser treatment in my 40s, the scars were that bad they had not faded over time, I had some relatively small spots of pitting on my cheeks but the rest was red scars.

Thank you. I’m glad it helped you.

@inastatus DD's acne was terrible she even had to have days off school due to her face bleeding. She had Roaccutane recommended by dermatologist when nothing else worked but scarring had already set in unfortunately. I know that Roaccutane has notorious potential side effects but she was VERY closely monitored during the process (weight, mood, bp etc). They also insisted she went on birth control tablets (she was 15 at the time). Her mood was affected but a change of the birth control pills fixed that. Very dry skin and lips but managed this with baby toothbrush and Vaseline etc. It cost about £1000 but definitely worth every penny. Just wish we'd done it sooner to avoid the current scarring. Good luck!

@sandalsinthebin - thanks. The derm hasn’t insisted that DD go on the pill at this stage but was very clear about the risks in pregnancy and the need to take precautions. We are just waiting to have her bloods done and then she can start. She will have a check up in 2 months time. I think I need to stop googling as I keep getting horror stories!

I think some sort of needling, stay away from the plasma facial where they burn little dots all over you, looks grim and causes scars in some people.

Dr davin lim does a YouTube video about derma rolling at home and explains what they use now in clinic instead of it, very interesting.

@Fluffycloudland77 I'll have a look at David Lim (heard of him) and YouTube in general is a good idea thanks

I had battled acne for years before I took roacutane at 28. I had very dry skin for a bit but it was like a miracle for me. My skin stopped being a focus for me. It was similarly miraculous for my two sons as teenagers. No bad side effects. Please save your daughter from scarring that could be life long

@Rangoon - thank you. DD is going to go ahead with the treatment so fingers crossed.

One of my friends suffered from acne as the texture of her skin changed. I can remember exactly what she had, some sort of micro needling procedure. (Maybe a vampire facial as it looked a bit bloody). Her skin is perfect now