Healing Raw Skin from Second Degree Sun Burn on Face

I got severely sunburned on my face.  The doc said I have second degree burns.  The blisters popped and my face was a massive scab.  I managed to slowly peel off a majority of the scab even though I know I shouldn't have (but it was cracking and painful).  Now my skin is that new raw type of skin.  It feels much better but is very red and there are even some brown spots.  Can I use anything to speed up the healing process?  What are the brown spots?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
For this kind of skin, avoid using any lotions and creams over the face for the meantime. Wash your face with a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Pat your face dry. You can apply antibiotic cream such as silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene).It will prevent infection and help in fast healing.

The brown spots are due to post inflammatory hyperpigmented spots. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a condition where there is an excess amount of pigment following a disease process that affects the skin.  Without treatment, this usually takes about 6 months to resolve and for the skin color to go back to its normal color.  

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.