Why did my daughter, 24, get face marks after using a cream?

Question

Hello doctor,

This query is for my girl. She is 24 years old. She recently went for an interview and applied a branded cosmetic cream. Her skin tone is fair and extremely sensitive. Overnight, she got ridiculous marks on both sides of her face. Please find attached the images.

Now, those marks are not brightening, and she works in the retail industry and faces clients all day. She desperately wants to get rid of them due to her work profile and an upcoming party. Currently, she uses an Acne-aid bar twice a day (in the morning and before bed).

I was prescribed to use Biluma, which I passed on to her. She is applying it twice or thrice a day. However, it has parabens, and that is a concern for me.

What is the best we could do to clear her skin?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have seen the attached images (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Before applying the cream, did she have acne on her cheeks? Does she have a habit of picking the pimples with her nails?

The reason I ask is that there is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can be post-acne. The application of cream alone will not lead to this.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Biluma cream is a depigmenting cream. She can apply it to the pigmentations. But it will take a few months for it to start showing any visible results. Since she has an event coming up, I would advise you to visit a dermatologist so that laser procedures like spot-peels or spot-lasers can be performed.

Creams cannot penetrate the deeper levels of skin, whereas the above-mentioned procedures can help reduce pigmentation. They will give faster and better results. She can continue using sunscreen, but the facewash can be changed to a mild facewash of any good brand.

I hope this has helped you.

Please feel free to reach out to me again if you have further queries.

Thank you.