Brief Answer:
Kojic acid; sun protection

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting your query.

There are three important factors involved in the pigmentation or darkness:

1. Genetical Melanosis: The pigmentation at the facial areas is genetically determined. To tell you simply, the darkness is due to the activity of melanocytes in the skin. These melanocytes are the cells which regularly produces color/pigment known as melanin in the skin. These are superficially present in the upper skin known as epidermis. This is a tendency in ourselves to get higher activity of these melanocytes at the facial area according to our genetic make up. It is seen on higher side in people of Asiatic origin than in white population.

2. Secondly these areas are further darkened by the process known as "Post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation" or PIH. The facial area is prone for sun damage and it causes over production of melanin in the skin. This pigmentation is known as "sun tanning". As facial area is quite sensitive so we can not apply any cream which is available over the counter as can cause burning and further aggravation of the condition.

3. It can also be because of application of certain chemical products which can produce side effects in form of skin darkening.

I would not prefer for either of Glyco 12 or melanorm-HC. It is because on one side Glyco-12 contains glycolic acid 12% which is quite high to start with and on other side Melanorm HC contains tretinoin which can cause irritation and redness. If at all you want to start then start with low concentration of glycolic acid such as 6%.

If I were your treating dermatologist then would have prescribed a cream (under dermatological supervision) containing Kojic acid with arbutin and mulberry extract in it. Alternatively Azelaic acid gel can be applied over the affected area of pigmentation. These are one of the best and safest creams to be applied.

Apply any of these creams in a very thin layer at night time only so that these should not be visible to naked eye. Apply at night time before sleeping.

Additionally sun protection is a must and a proper sun screen should be used. Diet is also quite important in reducing the pigmentation.

Good diet not only helps in renewing the skin better as well as works best to protect our skin. You can eat a lot fruits and green leafy vegetables in your daily schedule.

I hope these informations will help you in getting fair skin. I will be glad to reply any further queries.

I wish best and early recovery,

With regards,

Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD- Dermatology

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Brief Answer:
Have patience of 3-6 months to see the results

Detailed Answer:
Hello young fellow,

Welcome to the forum again and thanks for further query.

As I was answering your queries I can get that you had asked two queries separately. I can also get from your queries that you have applied Tenovate cream because of which you got skin thinning too.

In these cases it takes a long time to get betterment. KOJIVIT gel is one of the safest of cream which can be applied for a long time and you must have patience of 3-6 months to see the results. Steroid side effects are really very bad and takes a long period of time to get resolved. I can reassure you fully that KOJIVIT gel is one of the safest of the gels and can be used without any side effects.

For the part of the thinning of the skin you should meet a dermatologist and get yourself examined personally so that the grade of damage can be assessed properly. Accordingly if required a higher or proper medication can be given to you by the dermatologist according to close physical examination.

Apply the medication in least possible amount so that it should not irritate your skin. rest of the suggestions are as before for the earliest improvement.

I hope these information will help you. I will be glad to answer any further of your queries or if not then can close the discussion and rate the answer.

For any future queries you can ask me directly at:

bit.ly/drsanjaykanodia

Wish you good health.

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
(MD- Dermatology)

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