In need of fast healing and making scars fade fast

[lauryn]

amylou said:

I have also been using Proactiv's Skin Lightening Lotion-it makes that dark spots on my face that aren't acne any more..just places where I have picked-fade faster to. I think that has helped more than vitamin e oil. You can buy just the lotion at a mall or something. I live in the dallas area and there are several malls around me that carry it.

hydroquinone the active ingredient is a suspected carcinogen and skin toxicant

[lauryn]

try

any alpha hydroxy acid (AHAs) lotions or peels.

Also known as fruit acid or ascorbic (alpha hydroxy) acid which is essentially vitamin C.

. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are obtained from fruits such as lemons, grapes & apples, sugar cane & sour milk.

. AHAs are water-soluble & are often added to skincare products particularly lactic acid (sour milk), glycolic acid (sugar cane) & malic acid (apples). Glycolic acid penerates easily into the skin as compared to the rest of the acids because of it's small molecular size.

. AHAs are meant to improve oily skin, prevent acne, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, reduce acne scars, improve skin's texture & bring out radiance, treat fine lines, wrinkles & lighten freckles.
The outermost layer of our skin (which we can feel & see) is called the epidermis. The epidermis is covered with lots of dead cells. These dead cells undergo a regeneration process whereby they flake off during bathing or washing & cells from below the epidermis will surface.
However due to pollution, sun, air-conditioning, age & other environmental causes, the regeneration process slows down & causes an accumulation of dead cells. This makes the skin dry & dull.

. AHAs promote the shedding of the dead cells & instigate the renewal scene to take place in order to make skin smooth-looking & radiant.
The extent of exfoliation depends on the type and concentration of the AHA, its pH (acidity), and other ingredients in the product. Most cosmetics sold to consumers contain AHAs at levels up to 10 percent. It is FDA's understanding that products with AHA concentrations of 20 percent or higher are used by trained cosmetologists for salon "mini-peels."

. AHAs may cause mild irritations & make skin sensitive to sunlight. Severe side-effects would occur if high concentrations of the acid (especially glycolic acid) is used. A patch test used beneath sunblock is recommended before actual use.

. Refrain from using AHA together with other products containing retinol or Vitamin C serum. Such a combination may be too harsh for the skin unless recommended by a dermatologist.

. Also, do not expect AHA to work wonders overnight, it may take months before visible results can be seen.

[lauryn]

the lotion that i use can be bought at www.rawfood.com

It's called ''AHA Brilliant Moisturizer''
Price: $24.95

Item #0777: ALL NATURAL SKIN LOTION

A Product Suitable for use by Vegetarians & Vegans

AHA Brilliant Moisturizer is excellent for combination skin and is equally effective for oily areas. It contains 5% A.H.A. (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) from natural sources of bilberry, apples, oranges, grapes, and sugar cane. All of this in a soft moisturizing base gentle enough to use around the delicate eye area.

Ingredients: Distilled Water, Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Wheatgerm Oil, 5% AHA! Mixed Fruit Acids, Coconut Emulsifier, Orange Oil, Grapefruit Oil, Lemon Oil, Yuzu, Neroli, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Grapefruit Seed Oil.


it smells absolutely divine and the ingredients are all natural. Plus, it's worked wonders on my skin.
i have tons of little acne scars all over my face that are terribly unsightly and it has dramatically lightened them.

[lauryn]

or you can try www.drugstore.com
and search for alpha hydroxy acids or glycolic acid (sugar cane).
i bought the Kiss My Face Peaches & Creme Moisturizer with 8% Alpha Hydroxy Acids 4 fl oz (118 ml) SALE price: $6.79

It says:

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are all natural substances found in fruit and sugar cane. They gently speed up the exfoliation process while improving skin tone and texture. With 8% alpha hydroxy acids, we have created an intensive moisturizer for the face and neck.

exfoliates, allowing healthy skin cells to emerge
quickly absorbing, long-lasting emollience
improves even severely dry skin
improves skin tone and texture
reduces discoloration and age spots
This product was created without animal ingredients, artificial colors, unnecessary chemicals or animal testing.

Ingredients:
Purified Water, Mixed Fruit Extracts of Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, and Tartaric Acid, Isopropyl Palmitate (Coconut Derived Emollient), Emulsifying Wax (Coconut Derived Emulsifier), Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate (Vegetable Derived Emulsifier), Coco Caprylate/Caprate (Coconut Derived Emollient), Glycerin (Vegetable Emollient), Safflower Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Soybean Oil, Shea Butter, Squalane (Olive Oil Derived Moisturizer), Aloe Vera Gel, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Allantoin, Lecithin, Peach Leaf Extract, Lemongrass Extract, Orange Blossom Extract, Sugar Cane Extract, Citrus Pectin Extract, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate (Vegetable Derived Preservative)


the ingredients aren't great like the other but if you're pinching pennies.

[lauryn]

someone on another forum mentioned LUSTRA but that too has hydroquinone.

[pinto123]

Has anyone had any luck/experience with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) as a treatment for scarring and PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) from picking? Or what about laser resurfacing? Anyone have anything to report about these? They're expensive but at this point I'll try ANYthing.

[lauryn]

getting rid of scars


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this sucks
Guest





Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 1:40 pm Post subject: getting rid of scars

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Hey there everyone,

I haven't posted in quite a while, mainly because I'm doing really well.
That's thanks to finding this site and coming to grips with how huge a problem this had become for me, and taking the steps to finally stop.

Also, it's because I've finally found a treatment that is taking away my horrible facial scars!! It's amazing, because I thought I'd be stuck with them forever, and it was really more than I could handle and I didn't know how I was going to deal with it. In fact, the depression from the scars made me pick more! (Horrible cycle, really bad)

So, for those you who have raised (hypertrophic) scars, anywhere on your body, I just want to tell you what has finally worked for me.

There are many treatments, I've tried them all, but now it is a combination of treatments that is making dramatic results.

My dermatologist does these three things: blasts the scars with a Lyra laser to soften them and reduce redness, injects them with steroids, and freezes them with . . . . ah, shit, I forgot what it's called. Anyway, she sprays it on, and it freezes the skin.

I know, it sounds intense, and it is.

This initially makes the scars much bigger, redder and harder. That's a little scary. It lasts for a few days. Then they start to shrink and peel. They peel for two weeks. It's hard to wear make-up but you can. You just don't look very good!

Anyway, I've had two treatments like this and the results are fantastic!

there is hope for anyone who has suffered as much as I have -- and that's saying a lot.

Good luck to you all

ts

[lauryn]

Guest






Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 7:02 am Post subject:

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I've been getting chemical peels for years... your skin definitely feels clean and smooth, however, since I still pick the hyperpigmentation has not gone away. Peels are a good way to take care of your skin but it's frustrating when you pay all that money only to pick a day or two later and ruin the results. I recently had microdermabrasion done... face feels great afterwards but I noticed if I pick after the procedure my face is more sensitive... meaning, it's easier to cause an open wound... just something to beware of. Laser resurfacing... I've been to so many doctors... all of them refuse to do the procedure on me bc I pick. At first I was angry but now I understand that if I picked after the surgery, I could permanently damage my face. I would hold off on having laser resurfacing done if you find a doctor that would do it bc your skin is so sensitive after it that you can really damage your skin. It is important to kick this habit before getting such a intense procedure done. Peels might be a good place to start... then maybe microderm. Hope this helps!

jrc

p.s. I use Obagi products that I got from my esthetician... so far I like it!

[Newbie]

Just found this board, and I am so relieved to find people with this same annoying problem..I have been picking since i can remember- I have been trying to stop myself and went 1 week without any serious picking sessions (I am a face picker) BUT i have so many dark spots that seem to get redder with my retin-A treatment.
has anyone found a cheap solution? I read the other posts about La Mer but as a serious picker, I know there is a great chance of respending that 200 bucks!!

[amylou]

Proactiv's skin lightening lotion has really helped me!

[lauryn]

www.sunrisemeds.com/products.php?category=21&REF=google_lustra

LUSTRA® (hydroquinone USP 4%) is an exceptional product with special ingredients that work in four ways to restore and maintain beautiful skin:

(1) LUSTRA's active ingredient, a prescription level (4%) of hydroquinone, improves skin color by inhibiting the production of excessive skin pigment that can lead to uneven color or dark spots.

(2) Alpha hydroxy acid (glycolic acid) enhances exfoliation, which increases cell turnover and sheds the overpigmented cells more quickly and helps reduce the visible signs of skin aging.

(3) The antioxidant system (Vitamins C and E) defends the skin against environmentally induced free radicals and builds a reservoir to help maintain cellular integrity.

(4) Moisturizers help improve the overall appearance of the skin — tone, clarity and suppleness.

[lauryn]

lauryn said:

hydroquinone the active ingredient is a suspected carcinogen and skin toxicant

LUSTRA and LUSTRA-AF are patented steroid-free formulations containing the active ingredient, hydroquinone, in a unique vehicle containing the antioxidants, vitamin E and vitamin C, glycolic acid and moisturizers. LUSTRA and LUSTRA-AF work to reduce the brown spots, freckles or patches of darkened skin.
LUSTRA and LUSTRA-AF

Lets look at the ingredients in LUSTRA and LUSTRA-AF to see how they work together to give you beautiful looking skin color:
Hydroquinone Corrects Dyschromia: Melanin, the name for the pigment that gives our skin color, is produced in special skin cells known as melanocytes. These cells also contain an enzyme called tyrosinase. Tyrosinase initiates the first steps in the chain reaction that lead to the production of pigment. Exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) increases the production of tyrosinase. With the increase of this enzyme, the cells become "overactive" and produce greater amounts of melanin. With limited sun exposure, this usually results in tanning, but can result in darker (over-pigmented), uneven areas.

The active ingredient in LUSTRA and LUSTRA-AF, hydroquinone, interferes with the production of melanin by inhibiting, or blocking, the action of tyrosinase. Thus, there will be a decrease in new melanin production. Because the cells in the over-pigmented areas are "overactive," they will take up more hydroquinone than the surrounding cells, much as a faster engine uses more fuel than a slower one.


In other words a LUSTRA product does not "bleach" skin, but rather helps the cells producing too much pigment to slow down.

Antioxidants Help Protect Skin: Exposure to ultraviolet radiation results in an increase in free radicals in the epidermis. Free radicals are unstable molecules in our bodies that attack other molecules, causing damaging reactions in healthy cells. Antioxidants convert free radicals into harmless by-products.

The antioxidants in LUSTRA and LUSTRA-AF include water- and lipid (fat)-soluble Vitamin C and lipid-soluble Vitamin E. Antioxidants protect the skin cells from the damage of free radicals. Because these cells have both water-soluble and lipid-soluble compartments, the balanced antioxidant system of LUSTRA and LUSTRA-AF protects the entire cell.

Glycolic Acids Helps Exfoliate: LUSTRA and LUSTRA-AF contain the exfoliant glycolic acid. Glycolic acts to soften the skin and increases the rate of shedding of the top layers of skin cells, thereby reducing the thickness of the outer layer of skin and helping to quickly remove the over-pigmented cells. Thus, someone using LUSTRA may notice the benefits faster than if the glycolic acid were not in the formula to speed the skin’s natural shedding process.

Moisturizers Soften and Smoothe: The outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, forms a barrier to keep moisture in. Photodamage harms the stratum corneum causing this skin layer to lose moisture and become dry and rough. Moisturizers in LUSTRA and LUSTRA-AF help replenish the moisture and enhance the complexion by restoring its smooth surface and reducing the appearance of fine lines .

The sunscreen in LUSTRA-AF Helps Protect against Repigmentation: Since exposure to sun causes skin cells to overproduce pigment and create brown spots faster than hydroquinone can treat those areas, it is important to protect oneself from sun exposure while using LUSTRA. LUSTRA-AF is an advanced formula of LUSTRA containing the same patented formulation with the addition of a broad-spectrum sunscreen system, including Parsol® 1789, to help prevent re-pigmentation. LUSTRA-AF is not intended to prevent sunburn.

Occasional skin irritation may occur. Hydroquinone may cause unwanted effects if not used as directed. Test for skin sensitivity before using LUSTRA or LUSTRA-AF. LUSTRA contains no sunscreen protection. Since UV exposure stimulates the production of melanin faster than hydroquinone therapy inhibits it, a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) is recommended for patients on LUSTRA and LUSTRA-AF therapy.

WARNING: Contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite which may cause serious allergic reactions (e.g. hives, itching, wheezing, anaphylaxis, severe asthma attacks) in certain susceptible persons

[kimj]

Hey livingdeadgirl,
I need a quick fix too. I'm going on vacation soon and my legs have a lot of scars. I just bought a cream called "scar zone". THey have it at RiteAid and Walgreens and probably other places in the bandaid isle. It says it should work and it is guaranteed, but I just started using it so I dont know. It is not meant for open wounds so they have to be healed a little to use it. Hopefully it works.
It was really interesting to see that you pick your bikini line because I do that too!! I think it is the shaving subble that makes me pick it. ingrown hairs and shave bumps are the worst for me and sometimes I feel like i just must pick them and get the hairs out. I have been doing better lately though. I noticed that exfoliating the area helps a lot. Also taking breaks from shaving for a while helps too. I have even gone as far as to put concealer on that area to hide the marks. Also really really dim lighting or turning the lights off helps a lot in those kinds of situations.

[lauryn]

do you shave with the growth of the hair (down) or against?

[LiViNgDeAdGiRl]

Always with the grain. Never against. I know that it makes it worse if you shave against the grain