Acne scarring

[Feather12]

My daughter just returned from a dermatologist appointment to discuss treatment and was given laser treatment but no actual advice about what else to do. This is the US so they are just interested in treatments that are $$$. I will go with her next time (teenager) but should she be using any topical treatments? I thought she would get tretinoin as she still has occasional outbreaks. I use tranexamic acid (Hado labo) for PIH, would this be suitable for her because it is lovely stuff? Any other recommendations until the next appointment next month?

Microdermabrasion works brilliantly for acne scaring

She doesn't need a dermatologist either just an experienced facialist

This is fabulous stuff for reducing scarring. It is anti aging though, which I’m assuming is not something your daughter would be needing www.laroche-posay.us/face-and-body-skin-care/face-products/face-moisturizer/redermic-r-retinol-cream-3337872413063.html

You can use retinol and all the acids like glycolic and salicylic but it'll take a long time and forever if the scaring is deep.

Bite the bullet and save ££ on products and go straight for microdermabrasion for lovely smooth clear skin

PIH isn’t scarring though. It will naturally fade. There’s no permanent change to her skin.

You can look into laser PIH removal

Depends how deep the scarring is. If it's too deep nothing topical is going to work. My sister had deep scarring and had surgical laser resurfacing.

i’m not sure if you can get the ordinary products over there but they have done wonders for my pigmentation and acne scarring. i use glycolic toner, niacinamide, alpha arbutin, and the peeling solution. (not all together, but in rotation). my skin has honestly never looked better. i noticed a difference after about three months but it’s definitely worth sticking with.

Hi all, some great advice here thank you! I think my title is misleading because it is actually PIH not pits or dents. She looks like she has angry spots because the marks are so red, but she currently does not have an active outbreak. She had non-ablative laser resurfacing today. I think we would have gone down this route eventually, but I think they saw an unaccompanied teenager and offered her the most expensive treatment first . So I think I am really looking for advice on PIH and not scarring, any ideas for this?

The thing is, laser is the only thing that will make an immediate difference for PIH. The only topical treatment that would immediately work are skin lightening creams, which are not recommended and probably have a whole host of side effects.

Other topical treatments essentially just boost your body’s own attempt at fading the PIH, but it will still take the same amount of time. Basically you just need to keep the area hydrated and protected from the sun. Things like trans acid, The ordinary alpha abrutin, Kiehl’s clearly corrective serum etc may help a bit but won’t speed your body’s natural process up.

Ah, you’ve made me feel better, mooonstone, it was money well spent! They recommended about 5 sessions though! I think we have settled on 2 for now, so hopefully it will kickstart the fading and she can then use topicals. Any advice about tretinoin as I know that can fade hyperpigmentation.

No worries! Yes it is very expensive.

You’re right - tret is considered a topical treatment according to this medical website. I haven’t tried it, but I have seen some success with azelaic acid.

That’s interesting. She has used azelaic acid from the ordinary and that red mask (she is a teenager and is all over the tik tok trends 😂) My own dermatica prescription contains tret, niacinamide and AA. Maybe I should get her signed up with them as I find the cream amazing! Would it be too much on newly lasered skin?

They have her a decent treatment so don't worry on that account. I hope she sees a difference

*given

Thank you, I am relieved it wasn’t just a case of they saw us coming. Do you think she should also have microdermabrasion? After the laser treatment down time?

@Feather12 you are a great mum by the way. Bad skin caused me so much anxiety and depression throughout my teens (and beyond), it’s lovely that you’re doing everything you can to help your daughter.

She’ll need a proper sunblock if she isn’t already using one, sun will make them darker.

Coming back to this thread because she had another Derm appointment and I just don’t really trust the dermatologist. (Problems of US healthcare 😂) I was unable to go but phoned the receptionist and said she did not want another laser session until after the acne had cleared completely, so could we look at getting that under control first.

Firstly, she was flogged a bunch of the Dermatologists own range of cleansers etc (which of course a teenager buys without question- I will wait and see how much she has been charged for these)

She was also prescribed Soolantra, ($650!!!). Now I have heard this is quite the wonder cream for rosacea!! But this is teenage acne, she has absolutely no redness apart from the scars. Does this sound right to anyone? I thought tretinoin was the drug for acne? Sorry for the essay!

OP if the problem is red marks left by the acne it is not PIH but PIE (post inflammatory erythema). As a fellow sufferer there is no treatment for this other than time. Prevention is better than cure. I would suggest getting the acne under control via oral meds first. Topical meds do not work for me on their own. I use Yasmin birth control but a good derm can explore other options.

Once under control a good gentle skincare routine and maybe a dermatica px should help the red marks fade (warning they can take months!)

Your derm sounds crap btw. I would be seeking out a derm with experience in treating hormonal acne (which highly likely it is). Also, your daughter probably needs an adult to go in and advocate for her so she doesn’t keep getting flogged expensive treatments.