i ask you all this only because i know our skin care is a tad different than others...


ok so i have OK skin
i mean sometimes it's flawless and cool-looking (aside from the hereditary skin tags i've deemed as beauty marks)

but other times - kind of like now - i break out like HELL and my face looks like i slept on a pin cushion. black opal didn't work, proactiv didn't work, clean and clear don't work for shiz

i've been using black soap (i think it has caraway oil in it) and it's been helping to even out my skin tone
in fact - my skin looks wonderful aside from a few tragic bumps.

my problem, that i need your help with, is this

i scar - easily. too easily.
so i have black dots all over my face from past embarrassments, and i'm looking for a way to fade them
i've tried ambi, i've tried venus de milo, all the fading cremes, but nothing has helped...
right now, a friend of mine from the middle east gave me this creme she bought in lebanon, and it feels and smells beautiful it's called Silvana, and it's a "skin vitamin" so they say... it's been taming my skin but i haven't seen any fading of these black dots.


how the hell do i get rid of these scars for good? i've remained as natural as possible and still, to no avail.

the silvana cream:

I was wondering about this too just recently. When Mon gets a spot, cut, graze or anything like that it takes ages to heal, even months and months sometimes. Often they'll look like they'll be permanent scars but they do nearly always heal eventually, but it takes so long. Is this a diet issue? Is something lacking there?

I've used Esoterica for years. No blotches, no changes to your skintone - it just gradually fades spots. Drugstore.com sells it...

I know you're gonna think this is disguisting, but urine is the answer.

Edit: I don't know how it works with black skin tones though. But it should be the same.
[Edited 5/15/08 23:16pm]

2Jay said:

DiamondGlove said:

What the hell
[Edited 5/15/08 23:36pm]

Ocean said:

Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about.....especially after last night!

DiamondGlove said:

DiamondGlove said:

The org is starting to scare me

2Jay said:

Ocean said:

my first chair beating

sammij said:

olive oil, its a moisturizer! aesome try it, not sure if it works with scars but try it, it might help with skin restoration!
[Edited 5/15/08 23:41pm]

shuggie said:

I'm the same- the scar on my wrist from a burn I got last September is still very dark, I still have a pretty good scar from a mild cut I got at 15, etc. it's weird

2Jay said:

there are plenty more where that came from ..especially if u believe anything Diamond says

Ocean said:

DiamondGlove said:

Ocean said:

Oh wait, I know something that works. That Betnovate cream that's used for escema and stuff like that. I remember when I was a kid I had this bit of skin on my wrist that was so itchy and I scratched it and scratched it until it was literally a 3 inch long open wound but the cream cleared it right up and after about a week you'd never have known there was ever a problem there. It helps heal stuff up so quickly. I've used it on pimples I've picked (I know you shouldn't ) before too to speed things up and get rid of them and it works great.

2Jay said:

If your intention wasn't to participate constructively with advice on helping a problem unique to black skin, why even go there? Like that comment was even necessary...

In any event, Sammi, I've just started the Clear Essence regimen, but I haven't been using it long enough to see any results, they say it should take about 6 weeks before any fading happens.

Otherwise, while I've never had any sucess with Palmer's skin products, last year I did invest in a small bottle of Palmer's Cocoa Butter Scar Serum with Vitamin E, and it works with moderate results. I think part of the issue is because you have to be really constant and consistent in its' application (which I'm not). Twice a day every day for I don't know how long...also the oil is really thick and concentrated, so even though it's for spot application, it's still kind of annoying to have little grease spots everywhere on your body(althout it eventually absorbs into the skin). Between that and the need for consistent application, it seems only best suited for habitual use in the morning right after the shower, and right before you go to bed.

Ottensen said:

Exactly Ottie....

Personally, I scar easily as well Sammie and I have very dry skin on top have having Keratois pilaris. yeah....my skin is different.

I stopped using all lotions. I use natural soaps, unrefined shea butter and oils.

I've used esoteric for spots as well. You just have to be very patient.

Actually I have very oily skin and i'm still prone to mild acne. I'd like to know what I could use.

Brownsugar said:

Same here... I have been using products that exfoliate the skin, I use an old fashion soap, "hispano" guava soap that prevents breakouts and pure coconut oil (the kind you cook with) to moisturize, but only for the dryer areas, legs, elbows etc. Inexpensive too.

But as far as scars that are present from acne, I used products like Mederma and such with little to no results.

.spell edit
[Edited 5/16/08 5:26am]

Rhondab said:

Thanks ladies...I despise thread jacking.

I scar easily too and the Palmers does nothing for me. I'm going to try the Esoterica based on you and calhoun's recommendation. Also, I'm light skinned but my elbows are getting darker...does it work on that too?

I used Ambi FOREVER and it worked but so slooooow. It made me believe that it was all about the application and the patience. One thing I did notice about the palmers was the scars that were raised above the skin responded better to it or a cocoa butter formuala so once the scar was flush with the skin again I would use just the fade cream for the discoloration.

my kid had HORRIBLE chicken pox scars and with time and lots of real cocoa butter they are almost all gone.

to limit break outs i use oil of olay facial wash for dry skin twice a day, all those other acne clear up products only broke me out even more

we all feel your pain though baby girl fo sho.

First off Sammi, what type of skin do you have, dry, oily, combination? And, have you been to a dermatologist or aesthetician to diagnose your specific conditions?

IMO it sounds like you're suffering from hyperpigmentation. This condition is VERY common among Black, Hispanic, and Asian women, i.e. those with melanin in their skins. The darker you are, the more pronounced the dark spots tend to be because of our excess melanin. I also have dealt this problem all my life but have found great ways to minimize its effects.



My daily regimen consists of washing with Aveda's Refreshing Bath Bar in the morning. It's made for the body but because I have oily skin my face tolerates it well without being stripped. I noticed my breakouts were greatly reduced since I started using this on my face four years ago. It's great too because although it costs $10 it lasts about 4-6 months in my soap dish. Here's some more info about it.
http://www.aveda.com/temp...D=PROD5900

At night I use Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Wash for extra protection against pimples which I still get occassionally, but not often.

Now for the hyperpigmentation I swear by Obagi Professional C Serum 15%. This will help reduce the dark spots and will even out your complexion. Kiehl's also has a version that's only 10% Vitamin C, but I prefer Obagi's. It can be expensive but it works and I found a website that is cheaper than any doctor or spa.

http://skincarerx.com/rev...l?pid=4394

To treat the individual hyperpigmentation spots I use a product called TriLuma. My dermatologist prescribed this for me to treat my spots and beginning stages of melasma that my face was showing. For this you need a prescription, but you may actually be able to get it in Canada without it. This is a more advanced version of Retin-A. It REALLY works and you don't need to use a lot. One tube lasts me a few years. Here's more info.
http://triluma.com/index.cfm

I also get a very intense facial, skin peel, and microdermabrasion once every three months. If you don't have sensitive skin, this could be a fast way to remove a lot of the dark spots and any unevenness in one fell swoop. Depending on the type of peel (I get Vitamin A and pumpkin peels at the same time) be prepared to peel, for real, I mean like a reptile molting. This lasts about a week and when it's done, you have virgin skin showing on your face. Hope this helps.

2Jay said:

don't try and cause any problems.

SCNDLS said:

gatdamn

you know, i never considered that my problem would have a name, nevermind a diagnosis...
i just don't have any money for any of the above, the C serum is what has my attention

see the black soap seems to be working after about a week's use, the silvana cream too, so i'd stick with that and used the serum.. i'll have to look into it

canada sucks majorly for black skin care products, it's hard sometimes, and no one understands when i say black skin is only a tiny bit different, that certain products won't help me like specific ones will..


my skin is combo. sometimes it's oily and other times it's dry as hell
acne meds kill my skin, they make it look really sheer and papery, it's disgusting..

the stuff i'm using now makes my skin look beautiful, it's just the pimple that pop out of nowhere (which i guess is something i can't totally help, but with the change in my diet it's getting better) and the black spots that are left behind after the pimples are gone.







Calhoun, missmad, Brownsugar, Rhonda, Butterfli25, babynoz, ottensen, SCNDLS, fauxster, laurel and paintedlady, thank you for keeping the thread on track

it's something i'm sensitive about and felt i could come here, but lord knows there are always idiots that seem to get in the way.
[Edited 5/16/08 8:39am]

Ocean said:

and by the way, i didn't find that funny by any means.