Thanks to Coach for her tips on obtaining perfect skin. It's always been a goal of mine since I was a teenager...and I'm now close to 30 and I've never obtained it. I drink water. I exercise. I stopped drinking pop about 6 years ago. I cut out chocolate and sweets.

Still...pimples and acne scars surface.

You name it, I've done it (besides laser scar removal and blue light therapy). Microdermabrasion. Glycolic peels. Proactive. Murad. Too many topical treatments to name. Dermatologist visits. Genuine Health's Perfect Skin capsules. Ambi fade products. Black Opal fade products. Neutrogena's Visibly Even.

The acne will go away for a bit at times. But I still have a lot of dark spots thanks to acne scarring.

Does anyone have a TRUE method for very dark scars/spots on the face? I started using Clinique's Turnaround Radiance Peel. Others have been ranting and raving on it...but maybe it's not for Black skin. I'm used to exfoliation so my skin doesn't appear to be smoother and the dark spots are not going away.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

(pen and paper in hand)


*waiting*

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I got chicken pox late in life (@ 19) and it left horrible dark spots/scars on my face. I used Mederma for about 8 months and I was good to go. 2x daily. It can't hurt to try it.

hydroquinone consistently for hyperpigmentation.

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Neostrata.

I used to have scars along my cheeks, and I thank exfoliating items (scrubs and Clean and Clear has a little vibrating massaging cleaner for the face) for making them go away.

And all the exercising and water is great too.

Find a great moisturizer for your skin too (I have obnoxiously oily skin, but I still apply it twice a day, just gotta find the right type)

I use the Obagi line:

Skin lightening/vitamin c serum for day.

Bleaching cream mixed with Retin A at night.

Also try taking MSM orally. It's for skin/joint/bone restructuring/renewal. You can find at most health food stores.

I would also considering investing in a series of IPL's (Photo Light facials) to get you started off.

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go to dermatologist and get prescription. insurance might cover it + it's a higher concentration than expensive dept. store brands.

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It's some sort concoction this black doctor came up with. I used it for on my face for about 6 months and it worked extremely well. This is the guy's website: http://www.drtinsley.com/

If you're in Chicago you can drop by his office at the water tower building, which I highly recommend since he's one of the coolest most down to earth brothas I've met to date and can give you advice you wouldn't get elsewhere.

another (natural) alternative is Arbutin and Kojic acid.

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Cocoa Butter

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Thanks for the suggestions, all.

Angela - bleaching cream...I'm really scared to try these. I'm sure you can understand my apprehension...anyth ing that says BLEACH on it usually goes on my clothes on laundry day, not on my face!! I'm reluctant to try bleaching products...not to mention they are illegal in Canada.

Is there such a thing as OVER exfoliating the skin?

I've used scrubs once a week. Does the skin get used to them...and over time STOP working? Why I ask is that as stated - I've used exfoliators for the past 5 years and they haven't helped in making the scars lighter.

Man!! Thanks for the link...if I could I would fly down there tomorrow!

its not bleaching cream, its lightening cream (sorry). It's just hydroquinone which is the recommended treatment for hyperpigmentation.

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