So after having covid in December, it somehow triggered pretty bad acne (I’ve never been plagued with spots, so this has sucked). I have been fighting with it ever since I recovered. I’ve been battling it with the combination of antibacterial face washes, calming face masks, TCP, antiseptic cream etc. I have mostly managed to get it under control, but I’ve been left with some scarring. It’s mostly red dots in patches where the worst spots have been. The worst of it is on my middle cheeks and some around my chin line.
Has anyone got any suggestions to reduce the redness/scarring down?
Bio oil has been my go to for other scars, but I’m hesitant of using it on my face cause spots are sometimes still creeping back up.
Oh honey. Sending you big hugs
Went through my teens with extensive stretch marks due to meds to i know how much it sucks.
Dont know the answer sadly, but it doesn’t make you any less of a beautiful person.
@ChloJakes bit cwtches. What are your hormones doing chic?
Acne in both those areas can be linked to hormonal changes.
Also try to stick to one brand product as changing your skincare regime can also cause transitional flare ups.
I’m lucky my skin is generally clear but definitely recommended salicylic acid based products. A well known bargain store have a great range right now.
But I had outbreaks on my cheeks and think it was down to wearing a mask when out and about with covid…as they made me hot and itchy. I used my ordinary moisturiser which has helped but you can still see where they were.
@CurvyJilly Unfortunately it’s not the masks, my skin has been okay with wearing them. This outbreak literally coincided with Covid, it buggered me up big time
Tbf it’s alot better than it has been, it’s just the scarring that’s doing my tits in now
I really feel for you because it’s a horrible thing to deal with. I’ve suffered cystic acne on and off through my adult years and the only thing that helped me were antibiotics (otc stuff just doesn’t penetrate deep enough to get to the infection). It is now under control but I get the odd spot that pops up here and there and it leaves a mark like you have described.
There are lots of great suggestions here for things to try, but I would also reassure you that the marks do fade over time. It can take a while (mine can take 6 months to fade completely, but obviously becomes less and less visible up to that point) but they will become less and less noticeable and hopefully some of the suggestions here may help speed up that process. Good luck xx
Highly encourage you to see your GP - might need a blood test.
You may be very lucky and have a GP with a specialist interest in dermatology at your surgery - if not request to be referred to a dermatologist where you can get specialist advice.
Hopefully it’s just a short term reaction for you.
For coverage, I would strongly recommend a green concealer. Sounds ludicrous I know, but it works far better at covering redness than a skin-match concealer.
Sorry to hear this has happened and makes sense that maybe it could be down to a weakened immune system from covid or a combination of dryer air from heating in winter as well which will cause skin to over produce oils…
I’d definitely agree in not using bio oil as that will cause flare ups worser plus scientifically it’s only proven to reduce scars by moisturising them rather than mending them.
The best things I’d suggest is not to use anything with fragrance or oils in it as obviously will likely cause flare ups, but also nothing that removes excess oil either as that basically shall strip the skin of all natural oils and In turn will make your body over produce oil in the skin.
Witch hazel is often a good thing to use with spots and redness also for me personally I found sudocrem worked well too.
If all fails then a visit to see the nurse will be beneficial to get some acne cream.
I have suffered with acne since getting my period around 10 I’m allergic to benzoyl peroxide so most over-the-counter stuff I tried had salicylic acid in it but it wasn’t strong enough for me I have persistent low-grade acne so there’s quite a bit of scarring over my face, most of it isn’t deep but on the apples of my cheeks it is the deepest My derm recommended birth control, differin and another topical that I can’t remember the name of to start Did Acutane but it eventually came back Currently on oral medication, birth control, and retinol to control it and I still get spots (curse my f-ed up hormones ) The thing my derm said was the best without going in for laser treatment was retinol, so you might look into what you can get over-the-counter (for both new acne and the scarring) I also use a very mild tea tree spot treatment that has a green tint to it, and my face is generally very well moisturized which helps camouflage a lot of the scarring as the light is kind of scattered I stay away from fragranced products, and your skin’s barrier needs to be in the best condition so try treating it like a baby’s butt Most people over-treat their acne and wreak their skin, which only makes it worse and worse If you have dry skin along with the acne (which I have) I would recommend a non-comedogenic oil such as rosehip or jojoba oil But if it’s just the scarring, I’d recommend a retinol most likely, as my that’s what my derm recommended (plus, you get some anti-aging at the same time)
@GoGirl12 The red marks are literally from the spot where’s it’s been a scab and healed. When I feel over the area, there’s no evidence of any current spot on the surface or lump under the skin.
I have got the simple range including their exfoliater and their anti bacterial stuff and that was my go to stuff, but it stopped helping. I moved to acnecide 5% benozyl peroxide and that was the one thing that stopped them looking so angry for a while and I’ve now got quinoderm which seems to be keeping them at bay!
@rosiedosie A retinol product was also suggested to me by someone at work, so there’s definitely a few things I can try.
I’m praying for the sun to hurry up cause then I’m hoping my freckles with come out and hide this mess
Don’t ! Get some of this its only sold in a pharmacy its called -
Dalacin T
Topical lotion
Clindamycin, 60ml
Until then believe it or not your normal alcohol hand sanitiser works WONDERS, you will have to tolerate the sting for just a few seconds but doing that 2/3times a day for a couple of days it will be ‘spots? what spots!’. Obviously don’t rub it all over your face just dab on the actual spot.
I’m allergic to benzoyl peroxide so most over-the-counter stuff I tried had salicylic acid in it but it wasn’t strong enough for me 
I have persistent low-grade acne so there’s quite a bit of scarring over my face, most of it isn’t deep but on the apples of my cheeks it is the deepest 
I also use a very mild tea tree spot treatment that has a green tint to it, and my face is generally very well moisturized which helps camouflage a lot of the scarring as the light is kind of scattered 
But if it’s just the scarring, I’d recommend a retinol most likely, as my that’s what my derm recommended (plus, you get some anti-aging at the same time) 
