Dark brown spot from acne turned scar - will using hydroquinone 4% every other night be helpful? (photos)

Question

Hi, I had an acne and it turned into a deep brown/dark scar. It’s been on my forehead lat 3+ months and barely reduced in size or colour. I am medium brown skin. I have done carbon laser peel (no improvement) and microneedling (skin became bit smooth but pigments are dark on the spot) Will using hydroquinone 4% just on that area every other night be helpful?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for acne scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Acne scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic acne scars and indented acne scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be been improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional laser such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your acne scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Reuel Aspacio, MD, FAAD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question and photos. Hydroquinone 4% is a lightening agent that attempts correct darkening of the skin. Hyperpigmentation of the skin caused by acne is a post-inflammatory response. Over time, it may get lighter on its own depending on your skin and how you heal. Using hydroquinone can potentially speed up the process. Typically, I tell my patients to use hydroquinone daily to twice a day if they can tolerate it. If the hydroquinone is causing irritation, using it every other night will still be helpful but it may take a longer period of time to see the results.

Dark brown spot from acne turned scar - will using hydroquinone 4% every other night be helpful? (photos)

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Dark brown spot from acne turned scar - will using hydroquinone 4% every other night be helpful? (photos)

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Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.