Damaged Facial Skin

Hi Bambi

I have a similiar problem and have been to numerous dermatologists over my 25 years I do not have bad acne by any means, but when I do get a zit (usually around my period) it is cystic and stays FOREVER, then I get a mark that sometimes lasts for months! It stinks but unfortunately this is what happens to those of us with more melanin in our skin. I am white of Scandinavian and Dutch/German descent, but I have a light to medium complexion that is yellow-based rather than blue or red-based. I tan very well without getting red and rarely burn, which is an indicator of how much melanin you have in your skin. My doctors have said this basically means superficial damage from zits or cuts will leave a brownish or dark tan mark that can take up to 6 months to clear up on its own. The good news is Retin-A can help clear these up faster, so if you can, try to get a prescription or high-tail it to Mexico where you can buy it over the counter!  Nothing except drastic measures like an glycolic acid peel or dermabrasion will be a quick fix, even Retin-A can take a month or so before you see improvement. WORD TO THE WISE THOUGH:I do know that if you tan at all, try and cover the marks with concealer with sunscreen because sun exposure will only DARKEN these marks. I have found that tanning moderately but covering the marks usually blends them in and the marks look less noticeable. Hope this helps, I know these pesky marks have always driven me crazy.

Hello Bambi

Glad I could help. I use the Vincent Longo Liquid Canvas Foundation w/ Dewy Finish. Awesome foundation, medium coverage and makes skin look amazing but it is very expensive. Use with a foundation brush, not your fingers. Can be found at Sephora or Barneys. My shade is "Natural" but they also have a shade that is called "Sand Beige" which would probably be my color if I wasn't quite so dark (I just got back from St. Thomas.) To answer your question, a foundation alone will probably not be enough to cover these spots, I recommend a cream concealer (MAC makes a good one in a little pot) and they have a zillion shades so you can match it up perfectly. If your skin is flawless otherwise ( you look young so it probably is!) then skip foundation and just use the pot concealer on the marks.

Another thing I forgot to mention. Retin-A is also great for sloughing off skin and can get rid of superficial damage caused by the sun. A lot of women also use it for anti-aging since it is proven to reduce fine lines and age spots, stretch marks, etc. HOWEVER, if you do use it, there is a good chance it will increase your sensitivity to the sun, which in turn can increase your risk of skin cancer. NEVER TAN OR GO OUT IN THE SUN IF YOU HAVE IT ON YOUR FACE. Always wash your face before UV exposure, even if you use Retin-A before bed (which most people do.) Hope this answers any questions.

Hello Bambi!! (and whoever else is reading this painfully long post)

A foundation brush looks like a cross between a blush brush and a paint brush! It has flat bristles and you use it to apply either liquid or cream foundation. 

Just so you know, you can order tons of things off the Sephora website and they are awesome about returns if you get the color and do not like it or it does not match. But if you do not want to spend that much on foundation or do not have access to department stores, I also recommend Loreal Tru-Match foundation. I have it in the Warm Level 4 and I really like it.  

I would recommend getting a foundation brush in a natural bristle, but if you are a member of PETA or a vegetarian and do not use animal by-products you can also find them with synthetic bristles. My brush is from Sephora (you can order it on-line ) and it is the Smashbox natural bristle foundation brush, #13. You can use this brush with other foundations too, but some foundations go on better with brushes than others, so if you buy a professional foundation ask the person at the counter what application they recommend. I know Stila recommends using your fingers, while some brands strongly discourage that because too much foundation is generally applied and because you can have bacteria and oils on your fingers that you are rubbing in your skin then. I personally have found that when you use a brush you use less and it look more natural. Let me know if you need any other suggestions or if you have any other questions, I am a bit of a makeup connoisseur!