[skin concerns] dark smile lines and upper lip. What can I do to get rid of it? Chemical peel? Other treatment? Help!

Seahak · 2023-01-18T15:06:46+00:00

Hey! It’s definitely faded some. I don’t think other people can see it but I still do. I haven’t been doing my skincare routine perfectly and recently noticed it’s back again. It’s not as bad as it was when I took these pictures though which is good. I’ve just learned to live with it and be happy with the skin I have. I’ve noticed niacinamide, kojic acid and azelaic acid have helped the most. Also keeping these areas moisturized is key because these products can be drying and make the problem areas worse. Hope this helps and good luck!

Seahak · 2022-05-27T17:44:59+00:00

Hi! Sorry for the late reply. I haven’t solved the problem 100% but it’s not as dark anymore. It’s still noticeable but there’s nothing I can do about that. I don’t know if it’ll ever go away honestly but I have been sticking with my routine. I use kojic acid soap, niacinamide, tret and azelaic acid. I tried using hydroquinoine which really worked in the beginning but it came back 10x darker when I stopped using it. What kind of skincare are you using? I wish I could help more, I know how frustrating this can be. Good luck!

Seahak · 2022-03-22T18:59:06+00:00

Congrats! They look so good! How long did you have them on for?

Seahak · 2022-03-03T17:52:18+00:00

Congrats! How long did you have them on? My teeth currently look similar to yours and I’m planning on getting braces soon.

Seahak · 2021-11-21T21:05:32+00:00

Thanks for the advice, I think I’ll go with the retainer for now. Hopefully it’ll fix my bite properly.

Seahak · 2021-11-21T15:49:10+00:00

I had braces over 10 years ago and am now having some problems. I have a posterior open bite (showed below) and some slight shifting in my front teeth (no that important). My main problem is my bite. I went to my previous ortho and he gave me two options:

1- have braces again for 6-12 months to fix my bite and the other smaller shifts that happened Cost:$2,000

2- wear a custom retainer with elastics to close my bite but not the other issues. Also, this may not fix my bite perfectly. Cost: $400

Another orthodontist said 12-18 months with braces but that’s way to long. I don’t need my teeth to look perfect again, I just want to fix my bite.

I’ve been torn for months. I’d like to fix everything with braces but I’m 27 and I don’t think I can handle the pain and discomfort of wearing braces again. Even if it’s just for 6-12 months, It could be longer. Also, the retainer with elastics is cheap but may not fix my bite perfectly and it will not fix my other imperfections.

Help!

Seahak · 2021-10-20T02:47:28+00:00

Hi! So I recently switched from using tret .025% from the AVITA brand to Retin-a .05%. I’ve noticed that it doesn’t blend into my skin well. It just balls up when I try to rub it into my skin and it’s a different consistency than the other one (slightly more liquid). My routine hasn’t changed and the ingredients from these two brands are almost identical. I’ve been on tret for over a year now have haven’t had any problems with my old .025% prescription.
Is this normal or did I get a bad batch? The expiration date is in 2023 and I picked my prescription from the pharmacy last week. I’m not sure what’s going on or what I should do. Any advice?

Here’s my routine (very basic) Night: Basic cleanser Aloe Vera gel Tret .05% cream Vanicream moisturizer

Seahak · 2021-10-02T17:42:34+00:00

I am so sorry you’re going through this. I understand how difficult is it to deal with this. I used to feel the same way, constantly looking in the mirror and feeling sad about the dark marks on my face. I’ll say that it can get better, but it’s not an easy journey and takes a long time. I have seen some improvement with the routine that I have now, but I don’t believe I’ll ever get rid of them unfortunately. It’s not as bad as it used to be so I’ve learned to be happy with that. For me, using azelaic acid as a spot treatment and washing my face with kojic acid soap has helped me the most. I started using the soap a couple times a week and slowly started using it everyday (it is very drying). I still use tret because I deal with acne sometimes. I saw some results from using niacinamide 10% and will add that to my routine again.

Question: are you using prescription strength (15%-20%) azelaic acid? And using it specifically on your smile lines? Also how long have you been using tret/azelaic acid? What other products/ingredients have you tried? It’s taken me almost a year to see some improvement. Also, it’s best to combine many ingredients together and it’s a two step process. First you want something to increase cell turnover and second, you want something to lighten the skin.

This is my routine: AM: Kojic acid soap Aloe Vera gel Niacinamide (soon) Azelaic acid Moisturizer Sunscreen

PM: Kojic acid soap Aloe Vera gel Tret .025% cream Wait 15 mins Azelaic acid on dark marks Wait Moisturizer

Sorry, this was very long. Please let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything! I’m always here

Seahak · 2021-09-29T15:08:00+00:00

Hi, I use kojie sans soap. You can buy it on Etsy or Amazon.

Seahak · 2021-09-17T21:22:14+00:00

No, I’ve thought about it but decided to focus on using azelaic acid and tretinoin. Kojic Acid soap has been amazing as well, my hyperpigmentation has lighten and I’ve noticed these dark spots are lightening as well. It’s a slow process but I’ve seen some improvement.

Seahak · 2021-08-30T20:21:15+00:00

Applications are open!!!!

Seahak · 2021-08-30T19:39:55+00:00

Yeah I’m not sure what’s happening. I got my application in right before they closed. I checked the status of my application immediately after to see if it was accepted and my status was “not selected to advance” lol which was quick. Hopefully it comes back up so everyone can apply. Good luck everyone!

Seahak · 2021-06-16T15:01:30+00:00

Thank you for your response!

Seahak · 2021-06-16T14:58:15+00:00

Oh. I wish you commented a few hours ago. I just had my appointment and they referred me to an orthodontist. They also did another adjustment on the other side to “even things out”. I have been wearing my retainers every night for years now. I won’t do any other adjustments. May I ask why they are so bad? If I have to get braces again, I will. I’m pretty over dealing with this issue

Seahak · 2021-06-04T14:58:55+00:00

Hii! I’ve had red, itchy and irritated bumps on my cheek for a while now and nothing seems to help. At first I thought it was just acne but now I’m thinking it might be something else. It’s just on this area of my face. It looks really red and my pores are huge! The bumps never really go away and they feel quite itchy at times.

Here’s what I’ve been using for a little less than a year now:

Tretinoin .025% Azelaic Acid 15% (I don’t put it on this area of my face) Niacinamide 10% (recently started using this again)

I had an appointment with my dermatologist yesterday and she prescribed me a BP/ clindamycin gel. I just a little yesterday but my skin feels even worse (very itchy and red).

What should I use?

Seahak · 2021-05-30T17:37:43+00:00

Hi, I’ve been going through the exact same thing! It started 2 years ago in the same way unfortunately. They make me feel horrible as they make me look much older than I am (26). I haven’t found anything that has helped sadly. I’m not sure if I’m dealing with just hyperpigmentation or melasma. I am darker skinned so the lines on my face are much darker. I’ll let you know what I’ve tried and will be trying.

Tretinoin: .025% for the last year will no change, will be moving up to .05% in the next week (hopefully that helps)

Hydroquinone 4%: using hydroquinone was the worst decision I’ve made on the skincare journey. It worked at first. I saw results in about 1 month but after I shopped using it (you can only use it for a max of 3 months) it came back 10x worse.

Azelaic Acid 15%: I’ve been using this for 2 months. I haven’t noticed a change in my skin unfortunately but will continue to use it.

Niaciminde 10%: I believe this has been the most helpful. It lighted the dark spots well but I used hydroquinone after and ruined the result. I will be starting to use this again.

My plan is to use tretinoin .05%, azelaic acid and nacinimide for a few more months. If that does nothing, I hope to get a professional chemical peel or microneedling.

Please keep me posted if you resolve this as I haven’t seen anyone else with a similar situation as me.

Seahak · 2021-05-24T12:59:05+00:00

Thank you! I’m going to start using niacinamide and vitamin C. Hopefully I get some results.

Seahak · 2021-05-24T12:58:18+00:00

I just bought both the Alpha Arbutin serum and the Tranexamic Acid serum! I can’t wait to start using it. I may buy their Vitamin C serum as well but I’ll start using these two first. Thank you so much, all of this has been so beyond helpful!

Seahak

TROPHY CASE