Skip to content
My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up
Last Reply:
Includes Expert Content
Acne Scars/Hyperpigmentation/Scars/Discolouration on African-Americans
avatar
An_245083 posted:
I am 20 year old African-American male. My skin use to be flawless now it is ruined. I have follicular eczema on the back of my left leg it does not itch or flare up but there are brown spots. I burned myself on accident with an iron on my right arm. It has healed but now i have a small brown mark. I fell off a moped and have little brown marks on my arm. I washed my face with an acne kit and the toner burned my face. It has been hell, and although i know people have had worse such as war victims, all i do is stay in the house because i feel so insecure about my looks now. I went to a dermatologist they can't do nothing for my arm and presribed me retinoal for my face. I eat healthy, workout, i have a skin regimin now where i include sunscreeen, retinol at night, and a fragrane free moisturizer. Do you have any advice you could give me, will thse imperfections heal over time? Can plastic surgery heal any of these? If i could what i really want to do is speed up the process to shed the layers of skin so they can go away.
2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Acne Scars/Hyperpigmentation/Scars/Discolouration on African-AmericansI am 20 year old African-American male. My skin use to be flawless now it is ruined. I have follicular eczema on the back of my left leg it does not itch or flare up but there are brown spots. I burned myself on accident with an iron on my right arm. It has healed but now i have a small brown mark. I fell off a moped and have little brown marks on my arm. I washed my face with an acne kit and the toner burned my face. It has been hell, and although i know people have had worse such as war victims, all i do is stay in the house because i feel so insecure about my looks now. I went to a dermatologist they can't do nothing for my arm and presribed me retinoal for my face. I eat healthy, workout, i have a skin regimin now where i include sunscreeen, retinol at night, and a fragrane free moisturizer. Do you have any advice you could give me, will thse imperfections heal over time? Can plastic surgery heal any of these? If i could what i really want to do is speed up the process to shed the layers of skin so they can go away.
Reply
 
avatar
Mohiba K Tareen, MD responded:
Dear An,

As a person of color myself, I do understand your frustration with the acne scars and discoloration. The retinol is an excellent start as it will stimulate the turn-over of your old discolored skin cells and promote new healthy collagen and elastin.

If you want to speed up the process, discuss with your doctor chemical peels of the fraxel laser (which are unfortunately not covered by insurance). These both are safe and effective in our darker skin types. I would avoid any surgical procedures because all surgeries leave minor scars (which can sometimes be even less attractive than the original condition!).

I hope that helps
Report This| Share this:Acne Scars/Hyperpigmentation/Scars/Discolouration on African-AmericansDear An,<br /><br />As a person of color myself, I do understand your frustration with the acne scars and discoloration. The retinol is an excellent start as it will stimulate the turn-over of your old discolored skin cells and promote new healthy collagen and elastin. <br /><br />If you want to speed up the process, discuss with your doctor chemical peels of the fraxel laser (which are unfortunately not covered by insurance). These both are safe and effective in our darker skin types. I would avoid any surgical procedures because all surgeries leave minor scars (which can sometimes be even less attractive than the original condition!).<br /><br />I hope that helps <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
Reply
 
avatar
gizmo2012 replied to Mohiba K Tareen, MD's response:
I am a medium brown skinned complexion slightly darker than aladdin. Which laser would work better a nonablative laser or fraxel. I think chemical peels and working with retin-a will help my face but as my far as the minor scar on my right fore arm and few marks on top of arm which one would you suggest? And for people of color mostly african americans which peels are most effective thedoctor recommended glycolic acid peel?
Report This| Share this:Acne Scars/Hyperpigmentation/Scars/Discolouration on African-AmericansI am a medium brown skinned complexion slightly darker than aladdin. Which laser would work better a nonablative laser or fraxel. I think chemical peels and working with retin-a will help my face but as my far as the minor scar on my right fore arm and few marks on top of arm which one would you suggest? And for people of color mostly african americans which peels are most effective thedoctor recommended glycolic acid peel?
Reply


Back to Top
Back to Top

See Related Women's Health Communities

See All Communities

Featuring Experts

Profile
Mohiba K Tareen, MD Expert
Mohiba K Tareen, MD is a board certified dermatologist who has an innovative practice in Roseville, Minnesota. Tareen Dermatology ( www.TareenDermato...More
Profile
Mary Ruth Buchness, MD Expert
More Experts

Popular Discussions

Start a Discussion | See All

Helpful Tips

Eczema - Part IExpert
Dear Readers, Of all the skin conditions I see, the most frustrating for both me and my patients has to be eczema. The most common form ... More
Was this Helpful?
Yes No
21 of 28 found this helpful
Post a Tip | See All

Helpful Resources

Post a Resource | See All

Related News

Related Drug Reviews

  • Drug Name User Reviews
See More

Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration

FDAYou are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.