Do not make the same mistake that I did.
I am F black with brown to darker skin and recently decided to do microneedling just to enhance my skin. I am already on tretinoin (stopped 72 hours before treatment) and quite frankly before microneedling, my skin was the best it had ever been in years. I simply just wanted the tightness and even skin that microneedling promised. I did my research and decided to go ahead with it at a med spa I saw recommended on Reddit. This is no hate to the med spa whatsoever because they have been nothing but lovely, however I just wish I was thoroughly discussed the risks of microneedling for my skin tone ahead of time. Upon consultation, it was made to seem that this was a light hearted process and nothing could possibly go wrong. Now I am left with PIH all over my face and much more severe discoloration than I had before I went. It has only been a week since I did this procedure but I was so concerned with my skin that I decided to go back in today to have it checked and while it is suspected to be PIH, they still remain unsure. I wore sunscreen everyday and maintained a gentle routine. I am a college student and college starts in less than 2 weeks and I have a trip to Europe for my best friends birthday in 5 days. My confidence is ruined and I feel like an idiot. I keep looking at my before wondering why I even wanted to get this done anyway. Don’t be like me. Do thorough research and ask questions. If risks are not disclosed, bring it up. All I’m being told to do now is wait, which is extremely frustrating but I have no other option. I have been prescribed hydroquinone 4% as well but told not to start until another week. It’s just all very upsetting. I have been looking forward to this trip and I just think all this could’ve been avoided. I have attached some pictures of my before and after(in good lighting and slightly dim light)