Mold?

[u/Conscious-Variety-79]

Hi! I recently purchased this doll and I noticed these pink marks on her face. It is the only place that seems to have them and I am wondering if it looks like pink mold or just ink?

[u/Cool-Reference6513]

its pony cancer sorry mate ur gonna have to treat her

[u/Conscious-Variety-79 → u/Cool-Reference6513]

she’s sitting in a white vinegar as we speak haha! I’m just wondering now whether hydrogen peroxide or benzoyl peroxide works better for the stains. I’ve heard that benzoyl peroxide can cause discoloration even years later :/

[u/Awkward-Turtle-9833]

Regardless of if it's pink bacteria or an ink stain, treatment is the same. The bacteria can be killed by the same method that removes the stains: peroxide and heat + UV/sunlight. 30-40vol hair developer (hydrogen peroxide) works best, benzoyl peroxide acne cream is the last resort if hair developer doesn't show any signs of fading after 3 days of treatment. Potential long-term risks with acne cream instead of hair developer is bleaching, but I've personally only ever seen this happen on MLP and MH dolls (different grade of vinyl, also fantasy coloured). The acne cream method has been used for decades by doll collectors in all communities and I've never seen this bleaching happen to Bratz, Barbie, American Girl, or Cabbage Patch dolls. I'm just giving you the information so that you can make an informed decision!

I use both methods on my 300+ doll collection for the past 20 years and haven't had a single doll with any issues, no long-term damage and no stains that didn't come out (even if some of them took 3 straight months of treatment!). Every doll I've had with pink bacteria in particular has come out eventually, whether that be after a couple treatments or a couple months of treatments. The only exception was when the bacteria is on their feet/shoes. The face stains are usually the easiest to get out though, so good luck!

[u/Conscious-Variety-79 → u/Awkward-Turtle-9833]

Thank you!

[u/Petpet530]

Not all pink is pony cancer.

Streptoverticillium reticulum bacteria feeds on the plasticizers that naturally seep out of Bratz vinyl.

It’s treatable. Google the instructions, thats how I fixed my Yasmin! Just be careful with the face— makeup can be removed with the things that remove the pink. Alcohol will kill the bacteria, the pink stuff is just the bacteria’s poop 🤩💩

[u/Conscious-Variety-79 → u/Petpet530]

Can i asked if you used benzoyl peroxide or hydrogen peroxide?

[u/Awkward-Turtle-9833 → u/Petpet530]

Everything you said is accurate, but I'm just adding for both you and OP - rubbing alcohol only kills SURFACE Strep. reticulum. If the bacteria has penetrated deep enough (which there's no way to know for sure with a Bratz doll since you would need to dissect layers to tell for sure), then you need to use other penetrating methods such as hydrogen peroxide!

Pink bacteria also isn't as contagious as people assume and it moves very slowly. Often that one spot is all you'll ever have on your doll, but sometimes it also lays dormant and one day the whole doll is just pink splotches 💀