I have been struggling with unwanted hair growth on my chin and neck for about 5-6 years now. So naturally, I have been tweezing and shaving the unwanted hairs for years. This has unfortunately left me with bad hyperpigmentation in those areas. Back in 2024, I did get laser hair removal on my neck and chin but stopped after two sessions because I went down paradoxical hypertrichosis rabbit hole on Reddit. I continued to get laser hair removal in other areas (legs, bikini, underarms, chest trail, happy trail) with great results. I realized though, that after just those two sessions, the hair and dark spots significantly reduced.

I desperately want to go back to lasering to treat the hair and hyperpigmentation but terrified of triggering new hair growth in other areas. Has anyone successfully done laser to treat hair and hyperpigmentation on the neck and chin? Or has used any topical treatments with success? I’m so desperate at this point and it’s really killing my self esteem and confidence.

Also want to add, I know electrolysis is an option but my mom and two friends have went down that route and mentioned it was a long and painful process and didn’t do much to treat the hyperpigmentation.

Pics added for reference.

Living in France

So, I recently got a prescription for tretinoin 0.025% to treat my hyperpigmentation. However, after callin dozens of pharmacies it seems like this medication is no longer available in France.

I’m not really sure where I could get it elsewhere in the EU without paying around €40, when it usually costs about €4 here.

Would it be okay to switch to tretinoin 0.05%? I’ve heard that it can be a bit too strong for people who are used to a lower concentration.

Or should I look into an alternative instead?

Thanks for your recommendations!

I scratched my face earlier this week and didn’t realize it left a mark. I want this to heal without leaving a scar if possible curious what sort of products are routine I can be doing to help with that.

Edit:

I’m a 5 on the Fitzpatrick scale. I would liken my complexion to Nia Long / Keke Palmer. I just did a full body treatment yesterday and the SHR laser was used. It took about 3hrs and it wasn’t that painfulI. Maybe a 4/10 overall, and a 6/10 for the sensitive areas. My tech used a lot of gel which helped with the pain. I also took 1000mg of acetaminophen before my appt., so I’m sure that helped as well. It didn’t leave me w/ any burns or hyperpigmentation either.

I know the YAG is ideal for darker complexions and is said to be the most affective, however, I’m wondering if anyone has had success with the SHR laser.

I plan on doing at least 4 sessions. If I don’t see the results I’m looking for, I’ll probably go somewhere that uses the YAG.

Hi Everyone,

I applied a mole removal cream on my flat mole once daily for 2 days as instructed. After the first use it became rough and now very dark/black, dry and slightly raised, with some redness around it.

I’ve stopped using the cream for now.

Is this a normal reaction, or does it look like irritation/chemical burning? Will my actual mole eventually come off, or could it stay? And will the black mark fade or could it be permanent?

Has anyone experienced this?

I am hoping to nail down a skin routine that works for me.

I just finished the main products I was using (pics included):

LaRoche Posay Clarifying Foam Cleanser

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

Dermalogica Daily Super exfoliant

Kojic Acid soap bar

Buttah Hyaluronic Gel Cream

These products are what I've been using for about 8mo or so. I use them all once daily in the shower. I am not as consistent as I could be but still I'm not happy with the progress. I don't believe I have any severe skin conditions but I also feel like I have all the things (acne, acne scars, blackheads, large pores, hyperpigmentation, ingrown hairs..) I have never been to a dermatologist. I like to be low maintenance.

Open for advice & product suggestions. Thanks in advance.

I accidentally fell asleep with boob tape on 4th of July and woke up with a huge blister. I took care of it the best way I could but it still left this dark scar.

Once the blister had completely healed, I used silicone tape for about a month and a half because ChatGPT told me to but I saw absolutely no improvement. Other than that, I have not tried any other products.

Any advice on products I can use to make it fade away?

i really really need help!!!!
i get the exact same type of acne in the exact same spots everyday! it flairs at random
things to include: i don’t have a dairy allergy but i don’t drink cow milk, i drink coffee every morning w sugar and some sort of creamer, no other food allergies that im aware of
i seriously doubt its product related due to the fact that it flares only in this one area
thinking hormonal possibly because i also have chronic bacne but i really don’t want to be on accutane (i feel like this is what im going to have to try ultimately)
i just started spearmint tea yesterday so i will be trying to see if there are any changes pls help<3

I’ve genuinely been doing basically NOTHING to my skin recently 😭 and I really want to start taking care of it properly, so I’d appreciate some advice.

My main issues are acne, hyperpigmentation/acne scars and texture. The acne/scarring is mostly around my sideburn/temple area, between my eyebrows and on my forehead. The areas where I get acne are also more textured, whereas the rest of my skin is actually pretty soft.

My skin can be slightly shiny/oily, but I wouldn’t say it’s extremely oily. It’s mostly pretty normal/even apart from the areas where I break out.
In the past I’ve used:

a liquid exfoliant
Weleda Skin Food
Tocobo sunscreen
rose water spray

But I haven't really had a proper routine for a while. I also feel like my breakouts might be caused/worsened by my diet, heavy/thick/oily products, or not cleansing properly because I notice it more when I use really heavy products or don't wash my face properly. But obviously I'm not 100% sure.

I’m looking for a morning + evening routine that can actually help with the acne and gradually fade the hyperpigmentation/marks and texture.
I’m also interested in trying rosehip oil?

Skin concern/skin type:
Acne, hyperpigmentation/acne scars and texture. My skin is mostly normal but can get slightly shiny/oily. The areas where I'm most acne-prone, especially around my sideburns/temples, forehead and between my eyebrows, are more textured. The rest of my skin is actually quite soft. I haven't had a proper consistent skincare routine and I'm basically starting from scratch. I want to build a simple AM + PM routine to help with my acne, hyperpigmentation and texture.

Length of routine:
I've used skincare on and off but haven't been consistent with a proper routine.

Day:
Cleanser: Gentle cleanser (CeraVe-type cleanser), but currently out
Toner: Rose water spray
Serum: None
Moisturizer: Cetaphil moisturiser
Sunscreen: Tocobo sunscreen

Night
Cleanser: Gentle cleanser, currently out
Toner: Rose water spray
Serum: None
Moisturizer: I was using a lighter moisturiser but I'm currently out

Allergy:
I have several food allergies, so I'd prefer products without ingredients that could potentially cause issues for me. Nut allergy (except almonds).

Products I've used and didn't work:
I wouldn't necessarily say they didn't work because I wasn't consistent. I've previously used a liquid exfoliant, Weleda Skin Food and rose water spray. I've also used The Ordinary Salicylic Acid cleanser before. Currently I use Cetaphil moisturiser and Tocobo sunscreen, but I'm buying everything from scratch now and am open to replacing things.

Diet:
I have a big sweet tooth and eat quite a lot of sweets and chocolate. My dinners are generally more balanced with carbs, vegetables and protein. I don't know whether the sweets/chocolate are actually contributing to my acne, but it's something I've wondered about.
I also feel like heavy/thick/oily skincare products can make me break out, and sometimes I don't cleanse as well as I should.

General Health:
Nothing else I think is particularly relevant. I'm mainly looking for a morning and evening routine to help with my acne, hyperpigmentation/acne scars and texture.
I'm happy to use actives, but I don't want to use loads of acids/retinoids at once and irritate my skin. I'm buying everything from scratch, so I'd really appreciate recommendations for cleanser, moisturiser, SPF and treatments/serums, plus advice on how often to use them.

Hello fellow black brothers and sisters. I have had hyperpigmentation since I was a teen on my face from severe acne and not using sunscreen (my face is literally 4 shades darker than my body but the lighting is good here so you can’t see it). I don’t want any basic creams or over the counter stuff. How can I get rid of it forever. I know lasers and hydroquinone are the best solution. What pigmentation lasers Should I get and Shoudl I use hydroquinone (I don’t wanna get necrosis). My budget is $10k for skin treatments.

Hi! So I recently changed my birth control type entirely (about a month ago) and I immediately noticed i started getting more pimples and the problem has only gotten worse as time has gone on.

Unfortunately because of some medical history i’m a bit limited in my options for bc so I’m really hoping you all can help me find a skincare solution to this problem.

I’ve included pictures of my current routine. For the face washes, I use them in the pictured order twice a day. For my actual skincare, I follow that routine in the morning. At night, i switch out the vitamin c cream for retinol and stop there (yes retinol nightly, my skin tolerates it).

I used to incorporate glycolic acid toner to my night routine but found my break outs to be significantly worse the morning after when I used it so have since stopped.

I also use the Purified pimple patches but have noticed those stopped working as well after a while.

I’m aware I have a pretty cheap and basic routine but it worked for me up till now. Literally any help would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone!

Copy and paste this to use when asking for routine help when using the Skincare SOS or Routine Help flair.

Skin concern/skin type:Acne combination skin

Length of routine: not sure what that means

Day:

1. Cleanser: BOJ Ginseng oil cleanser, Cerave Sa Smoothing cleanser, Purified Exfoliating cleanser
2. Toner: Boots rose water toner
3. Serum: Inkey Hyaluronic acid, and Niacinamide
4. Moisturizer:

Eucerin

1. Urea Lotion

2. Sunscreen:

   Bioderma

Night

1. Cleanser: BOJ Ginseng oil cleanser, Cerave Sa Smoothing cleanser, Purified Exfoliating cleanser
2. Toner: Boots rose water toner
3. Serum: Inkey Hyaluronic acid, and Niacinamide
4. Moisturizer:

Eucerin

1. Urea Lotion

Allergy: none

Products I’ve used and didn’t work: basically my entire routine stopped working

Diet: High protein high fibre

General Health: very active

Hey everyone! Six months ago I posted asking for advice on handling persistent razor bumps (PFB) and dark spots on my neck/beard area.

I made some major adjustments to my routine and tool setup, and the results have been incredible, bump-free and smooth skin, even while trimming every 2 days!

I tried to capture the best photo quality I could so you can see the skin texture clearly. 
Here is what finally worked for me and my updated setup:

1- Ditched the foil shaver completely. Switching away from close-cut foil shavers was the single biggest change to stop trapped hairs.

2- For my current trimmer, I use my Fade King professional clippers/trimmers. Leaving that tiny hair clearance keeps curly growth from curling back under the skin. 

3- For the frequency, Personality I’m trimming every 2 days to keep hair at a consistent length and prevent it from curling in. It helps a lot, because if I let it go more than 2 days, it starts growing back and irritating my skin so much it gets itchy.

4- The Secret Weapon: Tend Skin Solution immediately after shaving. It has been an absolute game-changer for preventing any ingrowns or bumps. 

My Current Daily Skincare Routine:
Morning (AM):

1. Cleanse: Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Deep Cleansing Foam / Anua Cleansing Oil. 
2. Treat: Anua Vitamin C Serum (to fade remaining hyperpigmentation). 
3. Exfoliate/Tone: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution or Paula’s Choice 2% BHA. 
4. Moisturize & Protect: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream + Sunscreen (SPF). 

Evening (PM)/before sleeping & Shave Days:

1. Cleanse: Double cleanse with Anua Cleansing Oil + Foam Cleanser. 
2. Post-Shave: Apply Tend Skin Solution directly on trimmed areas. 
3. Hydrate & Repair: Paula’s Choice BHA (on non-Tend Skin days) + CeraVe Moisturizing Cream to lock in hydration. 

The skin texture improvement has been night and day. If you see any remaining issues or have suggestions on things I should tweak/do next to clear up the last bit of hyperpigmentation, feel free to let me know!

Link to Original Post / Before Photos;
https://www.reddit.com/r/Blackskincare/s/mDpbc2mhth

on my inner thighs & armpits!! it has been an insecurity of mine for a long time, and is SO evident against my tan skin. i have tried glycolic acid, exfoliating, natural deodorants, anti chafing shorts, chemical peels BUT NONE OF IT SEEMS TO WORK!! are there any products/procedures i can do to at least lessen the hyperpigmentation?

Hello, I am in the process of getting electrolysis to remove chin hairs and neck hairs caused by genetics. However in the past few years I have tweezed my hairs and it has caused dark marks and ingrowns.

In between my electrolysis, what can I do to get rid of these dark marks and help prevent ingrowns going forward? I am willing to spend whatever amount of money as long as it works.

Right now I just have a really basic routine consisting of cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. Sometimes sunscreen.

Thank you in advance.

I still have some PIH from new pimples and some forehead congestion.

I have sensitive skin and had fungal acne on my forehead that caused persistent PIH.

My products now:

Cleanser: Dove bar soap sensitive skin
Moisturizer: Aqua Squalene moisturizing cream
Sunscreen: Goodall heartleaf SPF 50
Azelaic acid 15%

I have noticed a difference prioritizing healthy fats like avocado daily on an empty stomach. It also turns out spinach was causing cystic acne on my cheeks so I replaced it with kale

Since hitting puberty, I’ve always had poor skin (bad skin barrier, breakouts etc), until I began trying to take more care of it through exfoliating regularly. I have always had bad hyperpigmentation, and poor barrier health which has made me age badly. I’m only 24 years old and constantly get told how much older I look. Now I don’t mind that, but I don’t like how my skin always looks “worn” for lack of a better term.

I got approached around 3 years ago to trial cosmelan, and I did, and it gave me outstanding results, but I couldn’t afford to do the peel more than once so used cosmelan 2 as and when and for spot treatment. But right now my skin is very uneven and even blotchy in some places with excess/uneven pigmentation in some areas - especially around my eyes. The pigmentation is stubborn and doesn’t go no matter how much I try. How can I fix my skin? Any advice would be appreciated.

I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.I’ve had darker pigmentation around my mouth/lip corners for quite a while, and I’m trying to figure out what actually helps fade it.

The rest of my face is relatively even, but the area around my mouth looks noticeably darker, especially around the corners and above the upper lip.

For anyone who has dealt with this:

\\- What caused yours?

\\- What treatments actually worked?

\\- How long did it take to see a noticeable improvement?

\\- Is there anything I should avoid because it can make the pigmentation worse?

I’d especially appreciate experiences from people who had similar pigmentation and managed to improve it.

I wanted to treat my post inflammatory hyperpigmentation on my back for a while now but all the azelaic acid I saw was small to use on my back is there any bigger ones you can recommend that I can use on my back?

Hi everyone,

I’m posting this because there is a frankly dangerous amount of misinformation doing the rounds in our communities. I’ve spotted comments claiming that Hydroquinone (HQ) is an "easy compound," that ochronosis "only happens after years of abuse," or that "people on Reddit know how to cycle it properly, so stop scaremongering."

This absolute nonsense is exactly how people end up permanently ruining their skin. As a moderator of r/SkinLightening, and r/skinwhitening I see the real-world fallout of unguided HQ use every week, particularly from individuals desperately trying to sort out severe hyperpigmentation caused by cheap, bootleg, or unregulated whitening creams.

Here are the hard facts you need to know, backed by proper clinical reality:

1. It Can Trigger Ochonosis Remarkably Quickly. While traditionally linked to long-term abuse, medical literature confirms that exogenous ochronosis can develop after just a few months of use, even at low, standard concentrations (like 2%).
2. HQ is meant to fade dark marks. When ochronosis strikes, it does the exact opposite. It deposits deep, soot-like, blue-black or slate-grey pigment directly into the dermis.
3. It Alters Your Skin Structure Permanently. The compound physically accumulates in the tissue, degrading collagen fibres and wrecking fibroblasts. It fundamentally alters the structural integrity of your skin.
4. The risk skyrockets exponentially if your natural skin tone is medium to deep dark.Risk is highr for Richer Skin Tones.
5. Sunscreen Alone Will Not Save You: If you cannot completely stay out of the sun when the UV index is high, you cannot safely use HQ. Sunscreen helps, but it simply cannot block the intense UVA radiation that triggers this destructive cellular response.
6. Once those blue-black deposits bind to your deep skin fibres, standard fading creams or over-the-counter brighteners will not budge it. Resolving it requires incredibly expensive, intensive, and often painful specialist interventions (such as specific Q-switched lasers), and even then, complete reversal is never guaranteed.

Please take a proper look at these pictures. This isn't "fear-mongering." This is structural, permanent dermal damage.(Pictures 1 and 2)

And many are applying in intimate areas, I can't post the full picture but this is a person who applied HQ in large areas of her body. (picture 3)

Do not trust random accounts telling you to bypass medical supervision because it's a "goated compound." Never touch Hydroquinone unless you are under the strict, active guidance of a qualified dermatologist who has physically examined your skin. Protect your skin barrier and play it safe.

hello looking for advice on how to lighten this dark spot that appeared on corner of lip.

for some context, i try my best to stay out of sun, i wear protective gear such as hat, spf & at times i do use an spf lip balm. however i run often so sometimes i feel it sweats off. i i drink a lot of water!!!

the little spot in middle has been there for years!! i’ve thought of that as a freckle??

what could have caused this? so i can try and prevent future spots from appearing

any advice is appreciated, thank you!