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acne pigmentation treatment
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Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #15813
46 days ago
92

acne pigmentation treatment - #15813

Arnav

I am really worried about this persisting issue I've been dealing with for the past few months. It started after my teenage daughter went through a pretty bad acne breakout, and no joke, it felt like I was back in high school again. Anyway, after the breakouts cleared up, we noticed that her skin didn’t really bounce back as we'd hoped. There's this awful acne pigmentation left behind that's seriously affecting her confidence. We tried a couple of over-the-counter products and some natural stuff like aloe vera, but honestly, nothing seems to work. The acne pigmentation treatment options we're seeing online are overwhelming, like there are too many choices, ugh. Is there a specific acne pigmentation treatment that someone has had great success with? Should we be looking at laser treatments, or maybe a chemical peel? How do we even know if those would be safe or effective for her age? The last thing I want is for her to get into something too harsh and make it worse, you know? Help! What would you recommend for a good acne pigmentation treatment? It's making both of us really anxious, and I just feel like we need some good advice on the best path forward without breaking the bank!

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Doctors’ responses

For addressing post-acne pigmentation, often termed post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), it’s essential to start with treatments that target the underlying cause — excess melanin production following inflammation. Over-the-counter options can vary in effectiveness, but typically, look for products containing ingredients like niacinamide, azelaic acid, vitamin C, or retinoids. These help in reducing pigmentation over time by inhibiting melanin production and promoting skin cell turnover. Since you’re concerned about safety and age appropriateness, these ingredients tend to be well-tolerated by teenagers. As far as more intensive treatments go, it’s often best to consult with a dermatologist to understand what’s right for her skin type and age. Chemical peels and laser treatments can be effective, yet they vary in intensity and might not always be suitable for younger, sensitive skin. A dermatologist could guide you to more gentle options like glycolic acid peels, which can help improve PIH without being overly harsh. When it comes to laser treatments, certain lasers like fractional lasers can be used, but these should only be done under professional guidance. One crucial step is daily sunscreen use since unprotected sun exposure can worsen pigmentation or counteract treatment efforts. Encourage your daughter to apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning. This step alone can be foundational in managing and preventing further pigmentation. Overall, balancing effective treatment with gentleness is key, and it’s wise to manage expectations as improvements can take time. Mixing a strategic approach with patience will be beneficial — and keep in mind, professional guidance when looking at more invasive methods can be invaluable to prevent potential adverse effects.

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