I am in my late twenties, and my work environment has changed, along with my eating habits.
As my face changed, I started to develop acne.
It usually appears more on the forehead, but I have it more on the temple area.
I was comfortable. I waited until it festered and then took care of it myself.
I need to burst, but because of my impatient personality, I can't wait.
It was often a hassle.
It takes several years for the wound to heal completely and then recur repeatedly.
I quit the company, and at some point, I stopped going altogether.
It started. Now, it used to appear around the chin before menstruation.
I haven't even developed a pimple.
However, as a result of diligently squeezing the temples, there are acne scars.
It remained. It stayed as a bluish shape like a bruise.
I was surprised and at first wondered what it was, so I went to the dermatologist to ask.
It was a bit old, so I'm not sure, but I think they said it was a burst blood vessel.
I thought maybe my blood vessels burst from holding my breath so much.
They say I can't get the injection at a small hospital and have to go to a big hospital. Since I was told I need to go to a large hospital, and it's not even serious, I decided to just leave it be.
However, I often get stressed out because people keep asking if I fought with someone or if I got hit.
I have to cover my forehead, so I also need a hairstyle that does so.
It was uncomfortable because I couldn't do as I pleased.
Even with concealer, it doesn't cover very well.
I found information about acne scars and pigmentation.
I also wondered if it might be pigmentation.
Reasons for the development of acne pigmentation
Melanin that determines skin color
Freckles, dark spots, and blemishes on the skin are closely related to melanocytes. When our skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays, melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis produce melanin pigment to protect the skin.
These melanin pigments are transferred to keratinocytes to produce various skin colors, but if they become abnormally concentrated on one side, they appear as freckles, dark spots, or black mushrooms.
Types of Melanin
- Eumelanin: indicates brown or black color
- Peomelanin: Pink hue or red color
Then, why does acne pigmentation occur?
The reason why acne areas appear red is also closely related to melanocyte activity. Due to inflammation, the "normal cells" in the affected area are destroyed, and new inflammatory cells become active, causing the area to turn red.
Even if the inflammation has disappeared after treatment at the hospital, melanocytes that were already activated by the inflammation produce more melanin pigment than normal cells, causing the affected area to change from red to brown and resulting in post-acne hyperpigmentation.
Since I am close to black, I think it might be eumelanin if it's pigmentation.
If it's acne pigmentation, it can be improved through procedures such as chemical peeling, laser peeling, or microdermabrasion.
<How to Remove Acne Hyperpigmentation>
- 1. Chemical peel
Chemical peeling involves applying chemical agents (AHA and BHA) to areas of skin pigmentation to artificially induce a burn, causing the skin to peel and heal, during which new skin grows. It is one of the peeling techniques used to remove fine wrinkles caused by aging, black spots, freckles and melasma, as well as acne pigmentation and scars.
- Advantages of chemical peeling
A cream containing three ingredients—vitamin A preparations, steroids, and hydroquinone—is consistently applied as a pre-treatment process 5 to 6 weeks before chemical peeling. This process helps to even out the skin surface and increases the success of the procedure. Additionally, this process reduces skin complications and prevents skin discoloration, depigmentation, and scarring.
By performing self-care until the scabs fall off after chemical peeling, you can reduce unnecessary visits to the hospital as well as the associated costs.
- 2. Laser Peeling
A method that uses strong light energy to deliver to and remove acne pigmentation and scar areas.
- Advantages of laser skin resurfacing
It is possible to adjust the intensity of laser energy, allowing for uniform and stable removal of acne pigmentation areas and scar areas. Unlike chemical peels, it does not take long and is highly effective, but it has the disadvantage of being expensive.
There are two methods: partial laser peeling for acne pigmentation areas and a procedure for the entire face.
- 3. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion laser is characterized by its ability to achieve the effects of traditional laser peeling while minimizing skin damage, resulting in a wound healing time of about 2 days.
- Advantages of microdermabrasion
It is characterized by narrow and deep peeling while preserving part of the skin. The wound healing time is extremely fast, so procedures performed over the weekend are said to not interfere with school or work life.
I haven't been to the hospital since then, but can this really be eliminated?
I've always been curious.
So I posted this in case there are others like me.
Has anyone undergone treatment for acne pigmentation?
I'm curious whether the removal technique truly leads to improvement and also about the cost.