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Suggest Treatment To Remove Acne Scars On Face

Posted on Fri, 9 May 2014

Question: Hi. I was suffering with high ratio of acnes on face n whole body which was treated by ACUTRET 20MG dose twice daily for almost a year n uts took 1 year time to recovered completely . In the mean time l was also applying TENOVATE GN SKIN CREAM mix with body lotion on my face n whole body . Due to the side effect of applying tenovate gn my skin becomes very thin n also new hair growth on my face n body . To remove facial hairs I used threading regularly which is prohibited during therapy of ACUTRET 20MG which cause on my face skin rough , scars and lots of holes on my face . I m applying KELOCOTE scar gel since last 2 months n got a very little improvement on scar but not totally satisfied with this . Plz suggest me what to do to get recover fast for this facial scars and holes n roughness . Thank u .

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (10 hours later)

Brief Answer: Post acne "Ice pick scars" Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic. I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your concern and I have understood it. Looking at the pictures you posted, I could make out that you have "Ice-pick type of post acne scars", commonly known as "pitted scaring" OR "Atrophic scaring". I don't think that they are a result of threading while on acutret. They are actually a sequelae of acne. Threading is not advisable while on isotretinoin, but that is because the skin is thin and sensitive, therefore it can become red/irritated. Thats it!! It wont cause scaring. Kelocote gel which you have been using is a topical silicone in gel base. It is mainly used for hypertrophic and keloid scars(raised above the skin surface) but it has no role in atrophic scaring (ice pick type seen in your case) seen post acne. I would suggest that you discontinue with it. To improve the appearance of acne scars, I would rather suggest you to undergo a few sessions of Dermabrasion and a few sessions of Chemical Peeling from a Dermatologist. Kelocote wont make any difference if at all. I hope this answers your query. I am here to help you further if you have any more clarifications regards take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 hours later)

Hi thank you . I have already stopped using KELOCOTE gel 3 days back . Since 3 days m using TRETINOIN 1% gel in night and KOJIVIT cream in day as adviced by ur Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX but due to use of this my face skin is started removing and also it's becomes reddish and m feeling very heat on my face like burning sensation. Just now I applied moisturizer on face to get some relief. What to do ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Retinoid dermatitis Detailed Answer: Hi. That is an expected side effect with such high strength tretinoin on face. Did'nt I told you beforehand? You have developed dermatitis to retinoids(Retinoid dermatitis). You should have used a lower strength retinoid 0.025% strength is good enough for face. I would suggest that you use a mild to moderately potent topical steroid e.g fluticasone propionate twice daily for 5 days. (Mind you: You have to use fluticasone propionate (flutivate cream) and not tenovate-Gn which you had used in the past) That would make it fine within 3-5 days. regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (19 minutes later)

ok so I should apply flutivate cream for 5 days and should I continue with TRETINOIN 0.25 % at night and KOJIVIT at day time ? should I continue with Salisia face wash ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Retinoid dermatitis Detailed Answer: Hi. Discontinue everything else. Only use Fluticasone propionate for 5 days. Later you can restart with topical tretinoin 0.025% cream once daily at night, using just a pea-sized amount for the whole of face sparing the angles of mouth, eyes and nostrils and Kojivit gel for day time Instead of using salisia cleanser which contains salicylic acid 2% you should use a gentle cleanser like cetaphil cleansing lotion for your face OR use just plain water. Salicylic acid present in salisia cleanser causes dryness and since your face is already dry and irritated, so you would do better off salisia cleanser. After having a look at the pictures that you had posted today(which i didnt had with me yesterday), I would rather suggest you to undergo a few sessions of Dermabrasion and a few sessions of Chemical Peeling(Glycolic peeling) from a Dermatologist. That would give you the best results. Even better than tretinoin! regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (37 minutes later)

c doctor as bcz m not it situation to go to c dermatologist thats y m here asking u for treatment . so plz suggest me proper treatment as possible from u itself . as soon as I get ready to meet dermatologist I 'll follow ur advice for dermabresion and chemical peeling. but plz suggest me now what is possible now and plz give all full name of medicines so I get it easily from medical store as bcz I didn't understand ur medically names as u written .

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Retinoid dermatitis Detailed Answer: Hi, 1) Flutivate cream contains fluticasone propionate. Use it twice daily for 5 days. 2) Cetaphil cleansing lotion for face wash, twice daily. 3) Retin-A cream contains tretinoin 0.025% cream. Use it after 5 days once your irritation subsides. You have to use a pea-sized amount at night for your whole face and kojivit gel day time. Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (10 hours later)

Ok thanks for this As I told u that I have deep abdomen stretch marks due to the use of TENOVATE gn . I m appling tretin 0.05% cream since 3 months but not sshowing any effect on it so can I use A-ret gel 0.1% on abdomen. ? And plz suggest me any thing for fairness as bcz since I stopped using TENOVATE gn my skin is becomes brown day by day so plz get me solution to get fair skin . Or can I use Dr XXXXXXX Glutathione pills for fairness as they said this medicine 'll work permanent fairness. ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (9 hours later)

Brief Answer: Fairness treatment and stretch marks treatment Detailed Answer: Hi. Yes, you can use A-Ret 0.1% gel for abdominal stretch marks. Tretinoin, even if used at higher strengths can be tolerated on abdominal skin unlike face. However, you must use it for an extended period of time (say may 6-9 months or even upto an year) to have noticeable improvement. They definitely improve over time. However it is not possible to completely erase the stretch marks. Creams/gels can improve them only to an extent. I hope you are using Kojivit gel during the day? It contains 2% Kojic acid along with sunscreen(octinoxate). Kojic acid itself is a skin lightening agent, therefore on regular use it would improve the complexion OR else you could use a broad spectrum sunscreen throughout the day. Neutrogena dry touch ultrasheer sunscreen is available OTC, marketed by johnsons and johnsons and is also suitable for oily and acne prone skin. It would prevent sun induced darkening/tanning. You can definitely use Glutathione pills for fairness. Oral glutathione administration results in a lightening of skin color. However, long-term safety has not been established. Mind you: it is not for permanent fairness!! What you can do is, you can use Glutathione pills for 4-8 weeks and once the desired effect has been achieved you can discontinue with glutathione pills and subsequently maintain the improved complexion with kojic acid (Kojivit gel) and sunscreen. regards

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj