Back in August 2024, I got deep scratches on my right forearm and leg after my cat redirected aggression onto me during a stressful moment. I ended up in the ER, was put on antibiotics, and took wound care seriously, but within two weeks, I already noticed pigmentation and texture changes. I used Bio-Oil consistently for five months but saw limited progress.
Since then, I’ve been consulting with dermatologists across Canada and the US, trying to find safe and effective treatments for my Fitzpatrick IV skin. It’s been confusing—every clinic has a different opinion.
Here’s a summary of what’s been recommended:
VBeam, Fraxel for texture (with some pigmentation concerns)
BBL for pigmentation
Picoway for hyperpigmentation (mixed advice)
Aerolase (safer for darker skin)
Pixel Laser for retexturing (but higher risk of hyperpigmentation)
Alongside all that, I’ve been using Hydroquinone 6% at night, Tretinoin 0.05% with Azelaic Acid 20% during the day, and occasionally Catalyst skincare with glycolic acid.
Nine months in, I still feel frustrated, but I’m hopeful. I’ll continue using Hydroquinone for now and plan to try BBL next. I’m still consulting clinics and would really appreciate any insights—especially from people with similar skin tones who’ve gone through this.
Here is progress pictures from Sept 2024 to May 2025 attached.
Thanks for reading. I’ll keep posting updates in the comments.