HomeAnswersDermatologypigmentationMy face became darker with acne breakouts. Please help.

How to treat acne and skin darkening after discontinuing a skin-lightening cream?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At March 9, 2023
Reviewed AtJanuary 13, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Three years back, I used a skin lightening cream for a few months. After discontinuing the cream, my face became much darker with acne breakouts. Even after three years, I face a dark, dull face and occasional acne breakouts. Please suggest some medications to get rid of this.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

I suggest the following

1. Apply Acnesol gel (Clindamycin and Nicotinamide) at night for 15 days.

2. Wash your face with D Acne soap (Salicylic acid and Clindamycin) for 15 days.

Attach a clinical picture for assessment so I can guide you accordingly.

Hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

My face became much darker than my body. So last month, I consulted with the nearest doctor, who prescribed me Isotretinoin 16 mg. Recently I have had no acne pimples but suffering from dark skin.

Hello doctor,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

1. Wash your face with Ahaglow (glycolic acid) face wash twice daily for 20 days.

2. Apply sunscreen daily from 9 am to 12 pm and repeat from 12 pm to 3 pm for two months. Also, apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors and avoid direct sunlight.

3. Apply a good moisturizer 30 minutes before sunscreen application, twice in the morning and at noon.

4. Take the tablet Limcee (ascorbic acid) 500 mg daily after breakfast for 30 days and a capsule of Antoxid HC (antioxidant) once daily after dinner for 30 days. However, please consult a physician, discuss with them and start taking the medications with their consent.

5. Use Kojic acid soap for baths for one month.

6. Increase foods rich in vitamins C and A in your diet. Eat carrots, papaya, oranges, berries, and avocado. Also, drink plenty of water.

Hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

Can I use vitamin C serum or anything else for skin brightening?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

You can use Kojic cream at night for 20 days. But yes, you can also use vitamin C serum instead of the cream mentioned earlier.

Hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Dhepe Snehal Madhav
Dr. Dhepe Snehal Madhav

Venereology

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