Hyper pigmentation caused by reaction to productd

[Pollypower]

Started a new face care routine and I’ve taken an allergic reaction which has caused lots of hyperpigmentation on my face. It’s making me so self conscious. I’ve stopped all products but is there anything I can do to remove or reduce it?

If it's pink/red leave it be as much as possible to recover and be diligent about sun protection and minimising outdoor sun exposure as much as you can. If it's darker I'd be seeking out the advice of a dermatologist if it doesn't start to fade by itself at any speed, treating hyperpigmentation isn't very easy for a professional and it's tougher with just OTC products.

It’s dark unfortunately.

A photo for reference

Are you sure it's a melanin reaction and not a chemical burn (similar to a sunscreen burn)? Has it been like this for a while? Is it peeling at all?

It’s not peeling and won’t come off. It’s not sore. Just looks strange. Skin is otherwise normal

I would visit dermatologist op.

What are you using??? Is it vitamin C or fake tan?

I used retinol.

Though for you, OP I think the best way forward is to make a dermatologist appointment in a few week's time. Enough to have a skin cycle of six weeks since it happened (it can just be a chemical burn with retinol), if it does clear up in that time you can then cancel the appointment.

Thanks.

I built up to using retinols but it ran out so took a week or two break and seem to have reacted.

orherwise I’m extremely sensitive to soaps/face washes but usually break out in a spotty rash so could be that.

it’s making me very self conscious as it’s not just my nose it’s forehead and cheeks and looks like I’ve had a fake tan disaster.

I follow Dr Vannita Rattan on YT and Insta. Several great videos on the topic.
But I agree with seeing a dermatologist first then preventing further issues.

This is probably the retinol working by bringing the hyperpigmentation from under the surface up to be sloughed off. If you want to speed it up and clear it out properly, you need to absolutely religiously re-apply high spf through the day and you would probably benefit from using a serum containing tranexamic acid. It doesn’t work immediately, but consistent use has absolutely nailed 50 yrs of broken capillaries and hyperpigmentation on my chest from Aussie sun. The highest strength I have found is in this product and I can attest to this website or the Olive Young site. (They’re both in US dollars, but postage is very fast and they are reliable, as opposed to Stylevana.) Link *SKIN1004 Poremizing Ampoule (ignore the name… It’s very hydrating and soothing. It’s also MUCH more effective than the product I had been using for years prior to this!)

Dr Vanitta Rattan is not a dermatologist (a pharmacologist, or something like that?). Didn't she have a whole scandal with scamming followers out of money.

@botemp im not familiar with that. Thanks I’ll dig deeper.
I follow her product reviews not skin care line.

@greenspaces4peace, It'll be on Reddit, probably, the beautyguruchatter subreddit (bit of cesspit) and/or the skincare addicts subreddit. I don't remember the details, but her name definitely rings alarm bells, Dr. Anjali Mahto is probably a better alternative for similar content that takes into concern skin of colour, but she's got solid advice regardless.

Thanks @botemp