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Suggest Treatment For Permanent Discolouration On The Shoulders
Dear Dr Batra, I was hoping you could help me with my query about sun damage. I am 28 years old and a few years ago I moved to Australia from the UK. I had always taken good care to avoid the sun until this time. I experienced a fairly bad sunburn my first summer in Australia as I misjudged the strength of the sun and continued to burn my skin a few more times that summer although not as badly as the first time. I wasn t deliberately trying to tan my skin, it was just incidental. I now am very careful in the sun but I seem to have some permanent discolouration on my shoulders. My skin had a very milky appearance before and is now slightly red and tanned 2-3 years on. Is this likely to be permanent and is there anything I can do to reverse the appearance? I am well aware of the damage I have done regarding skin cancer and am trying to avoid any further damage. Thank you very much, May
Wed, 9 Nov 2016
Thank you for your question!
If a patient with similar condition to yours meet my clinic, I would suggest him take some products that contain some lightening agents such ac glycolic acid, kojic acid, licorice extract, azelaic acid etc.
It is beneficial for you to wash the affected area with a glycolic cleanser, then at bedtime use Dermaceutic Mela Cream at this area (it has most of the active ingredients mentioned above). Usually the skin starts to get better after 2 months. The most powerful depigmenting agent is hydroquinone, but about this you can talk with your physician as this is a prescribtion drug, and not allowed in some countries.
It is crucial that you use a moisturiser with sun protecting factor at least 30, every morning,to avoid further hyperpigmentation.
If you are not satisfied with your results you can consider some precedures as peeling with chemical agents, or IPL or Laser treatment, but you need to talk with an experienced doctor.
I hope this helps. If you are unclear with the answer please feel free to ask me again.
Wishing you all the best!
DR. Migena GEGA
If a patient with similar condition to yours meet my clinic, I would suggest him take some products that contain some lightening agents such ac glycolic acid, kojic acid, licorice extract, azelaic acid etc.
It is beneficial for you to wash the affected area with a glycolic cleanser, then at bedtime use Dermaceutic Mela Cream at this area (it has most of the active ingredients mentioned above). Usually the skin starts to get better after 2 months. The most powerful depigmenting agent is hydroquinone, but about this you can talk with your physician as this is a prescribtion drug, and not allowed in some countries.
It is crucial that you use a moisturiser with sun protecting factor at least 30, every morning,to avoid further hyperpigmentation.
If you are not satisfied with your results you can consider some precedures as peeling with chemical agents, or IPL or Laser treatment, but you need to talk with an experienced doctor.
I hope this helps. If you are unclear with the answer please feel free to ask me again.
Wishing you all the best!
DR. Migena GEGA
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