u/clbzcl

Hello, posting here for the first time after lurking for a while. I had severe acne for about 2 years due to purging from tretinoin, now that the acne has mostly cleared up, I am left with these scars. Honestly they look pretty bad under certain lighting and I feel so insecure and sad seeing them. They are the first thing I notice when I see myself in the mirror and I kinda regret going on tretinoin :( is there hope? What can I do to lighten these scars? I am considering laser treatments but not sure if they are worth the price as I am still a student. TIA!

As seen from the first 2 pics, my skin has calmed down after a really bad break out and had many scars left. I was already using tretinoin 0.025% every other day for nearly a year so I increased to using it every day in hopes of improving my skin texture. Now more blackheads keeps appearing and I am starting to regret this decision so much. My skin is pretty oily so it does not sting or feel dry though, so I don’t think it is due to irritation? Should I reduce the tretinoin usage frequency or pair it with other products to help with the acne scars? I am so scared it will leave more scars on my face 😭 I feel like it is purging but it’s already been 4 monthssss, any help would be appreciated thank you 🥹

Routine:

AM

- Wash face with water, benzoyl peroxide 5% for 5 mins then wash off

- Melano CC Intensive Anti-Spot Essence (Rohto Pharmaceutical)

- Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hydrating Milk (Gold Bottle)

- Canmake Mermaid Skin UV Gel

PM

- Cleanse with Etude House SoonJung pH 5.5 foam cleanser

- Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Hydrating Milk (Gold Bottle)

- Tretinoin 0.025%

- Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Soothing Cream