Dear Doctor
My face full of dark circles, pimples, wrinkles, whiteheads for nose and chin and also day by day my face going to black … Please help me … How to get fairer skin?
Dear Patient
Your symptoms are suggestive of acne and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation together with acne scars.
For the best results, first focus on treating the acne before you try to manage the other conditions.
Acne Treatment
I suggest the following acne treatment:
Morning Treatment
Wash your face and moisturize it with products that contain acne treatment ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
For example, you can use the acne face wash Clean and Clear Acne Cleanser which contains benzoyl peroxide and the acne moisturizer Clean and Clear Oil Free Moisturizer which contains salicylic acid.
You can buy these products over the counter without a prescription.
To prevent your face from getting darker, buy a non-comedogenic (will not clog your pores) sunscreen that has a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more. For example you can use EltaMD SPF 46 Sunscreen.
Night Treatment
Apply a retinol to your skin at night to unclog the pores as you sleep. You can use Amara Organics Retinol Serum.
However, for the best results, consult your nearest doctor to get a prescription of retinoids like tretinoin (Retin A), adapalene (Differin) or tazarotene (Tazorac).
Apply these medications to your skin after you cleanse it at night.
Oral Antibiotics
Consult your nearest doctor and get a course of antibiotics like doxycycline.
Post Acne Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation Treatment
Post Acne Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation simply means the dark marks that develop on the skin after acne heals.
Once the acne is under control, I suggest the following treatment for the post acne inflammatory hyperpigmentation:
Exfoliating moisturizer
Use a moisturizer that contains BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) like salicylic acid. This gentle acid also loosens the bonds between the dead, dark cells on the surface of the skin so that they fall off. This falling off will reveal the more youthful, brighter cells beneath.
You can continue using the acne moisturizer Clean and Clear Oil Free Moisturizer which contains 0.5% salicylic acid .
Non-comedogenic sunscreen
Ensure that you use sunscreen each day and pick one which protects against both UVA and UVB rays from the sun. For example you can use a sunscreen like EltaMD SPF 46 Sunscreen because it is non-comedogenic (will not clog the pores).
Night time retinol
Apply a retinol to your skin at night since they have been shown to reduce pigmentation. You can use a product like Amara Organics Retinol Serum.
Acne Scar Treatment
You seem to have some acne scars on your face. You will need to consult a skin doctor for cosmetic dermatology procedures like microdermabrasion to minimize their appearance.
However, make sure that you prevent others from developing by not squeezing pimples and using a comedone extractor if you have to remove white heads.
Adopt an Acne-Free Lifestyle
Adopt an acne-free lifestyle by doing the following:
*Joining a smoking cessation program if you smoke cigarettes
*Cleaning your mobile phone with antiseptic wipes regularly
*Eating low glycemic index foods like whole grain bread, spinach, and tomatoes. To learn more read How to Treat Acne at Home.
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