I have acne marks, whiteheads, and dark spots. How to manage?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concern so clearly. I can completely understand your pain.

Based on what you have described, you are experiencing post-acne dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) along with whiteheads (closed comedones) over the nose and chin, which is very common in people with combination skin. The reassuring part is that this condition is completely treatable; however, it does require patience and a consistent skincare routine, as dark marks naturally take time to fade. These dark spots develop because, after a pimple heals, the skin produces excess pigment, especially when there is repeated inflammation, oily skin, or ongoing sun exposure.

The whiteheads on your nose and chin are caused by clogged pores in the oil-prone “T-zone,” which explains why new pimples continue to appear and later leave marks behind. With the right care and regular treatment, both the acne and the pigmentation can improve significantly over time.

I am giving you a step-by-step routine to manage it.

For treatment,

1. In the morning and night, use a gentle cleanser or simple, refreshing face wash.

2. Apply Clindamycin 1% gel in the morning, using a thin layer only on active acne lesions, followed by a non-comedogenic moisturizer.

3. After this, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (sun protection factor SPF 50 ) every morning, even if you are indoors, as sun exposure can worsen redness and make acne marks darker.

4. At night, cleanse your face gently and apply Azelaic acid (Aziderm gel). Apply a pea-sized amount for the entire face at bedtime, starting five nights per week, and apply Adaferin gel (Adapalene) in the same pea-sized amount on the other two nights of the week. Always follow it with a moisturizer to reduce dryness and irritation. Mild redness or dryness in the first few weeks is expected and usually settles with continued use. This will help with acne, comedones, and pigmentation.

5. Please avoid scrubs, harsh face washes, picking or squeezing acne, as these significantly worsen redness and scarring.

6. Consistency is key, and visible improvement usually takes eight to 12 weeks.

I hope this helps you. You can message me back if you have any further queries.

Thank you.