Treating stubborn blemishes

I noticed a few light brown blemishes on my face and bought over-the-counter blemish cream. Now they look even darker, and some red patches and lines have also emerged. What’s going on?

Blemishes can be unsightly, and very difficult to hide even with the most powerful make-up. The problem is that blemishes are such a common problem, most people think they can treat them on their own, using the anti-blemish products they see advertised. Some rely on online stores to recommend products for them, without realising that sometimes those stores sell substandard products that can actually make the problem worse.
First of all, don’t wait until the problem has become severe to see a dermatologist. The sooner you treat the blemishes, the more effective the treatment will be. More importantly, if you use substandard products or ones that are not suitable for your problem, you could worsen the situation, making the problem even harder to treat. Some creams can irritate the skin and cause the capillaries to dilate.
Capillaries have very thin walls, and naturally, they constantly dilate and constrict. As we grow older, everything in our body ages with us, and these blood vessels are no exception. Once they lose their elasticity, they can become dilated when triggered by various factors such as sun damage, smoking, hormones, temperature extremes and skin irritation. The dilated capillaries cause reddish brown blemishes on the skin, known as vascular blemishes.
Vascular blemishes are a little trickier to handle compared to general blemishes because they leave both red and brown marks on the skin. To treat red marks, your dermatologist might recommend laser treatments to help the blood vessels constrict, reducing the appearance of the redness.
Dark brown blemishes are caused by UV rays, hormones, and ageing. Melanocyte, the cell that produces the protective skin-darkening pigment melanin, is damaged by these factors, and as a result produces too much melanin, causing dark spots form on your skin. To reduce those dark spots, laser treatment together with whitening cream might be recommended, especially if the problem is deep rooted. No cream on the market can completely remove dark blemishes.
Laser treatments, when performed by someone unskilled, can damage the skin as well. Experienced dermatologists will know how to target only the heavily pigmented area without disturbing the surrounding tissues. Laser treatments today are so advanced that they effectively remove deep-rooted blemishes without intense pain, bruising or high treatment costs.
Topical creams prescribed by dermatologists are also recommended as a way to maintain your blemish-free skin. These creams can help enhance the effectiveness of the treatment and help prevent further development of blemishes. Some can effectively break down melanin to reduce unwanted skin pigment in the same manner as laser treatment, while others prevent melanocytes from overproducing pigments.
As mentioned, while blemishes are a common skin problem, they should not be ignored or treated without proper understanding. If you notice blemishes on your skin, no matter how pale or small, it is better to consult a dermatologist as early as possible before the problem becomes more severe. If you want to use creams or medication, do not rely on online stores or advertisements because they might not be completely honest with the information they provide. Each person’s skin is unique and only skilled dermatologists can find the best solution for your concern.