Hypopigmentation due to laser

[shine_21_22]

Hi there...I have got laser burn 1 & a half month ago on my arms. After a week of hair removal my skin got brown and started to peel off, Now i have white marks on my arms and i am not wearing sleeveless and just wearing full sleeves.....Its all  hypo pigmented,,,,I am using vitamin E all the time...........Could you please suggest how long it will take to re pigment and what could i do to get rid of hypo pigmentation.....I have seen a little change in some of the spots.......
thanx

[hypopigmentation1111]

I had hypo-pigmentation for laser burn and after 4 months when the marks didnt disappear, the doctor said they would be permanent. So I decided to try and sun tan the area. I put lots and lots of sunscreen around the marks (it was time consuming) and then tanned myself for about 40 minutes each time. In about 6 session the marks have completely gone. My skin (olive- asian skin) is almost normal. I can still see little difference, but others cant. Each day it gets even better and hopefully it shoul dbe gone soon. I will try and post my comments on all possible chat sites because I understand how painful and scary it is to be there. First the burn, then the painful blister and the thought of looking leopard skin for ever. Hope you find my post hopeful.

[jenypriante]

Hi, I went through something similar about 6 months ago and I also have the little spots that are lighter than my olive-skin color.  The doctors have told me that eventually my skin will go back to normal, that it will take about 6 months to a year. However, I have also been very concerned because I don't want to be looking as though I had leopard skin on my legs and arms.  Did tanning finally work for you? Please let me know so I can try that route and start finally wearing dresses.

[shine_21_22]

Also ask ur Dr. before using all this, If u are allergic to anything....It all worked for me but if u have sensitive skin or any allergies, then consult ur Dr...

thank u

[shine_21_22]

Hi everyone
I use to take care of my marks by using vitamin E and ginger juice. I also use to cover my arms 24-7 for almost 6 months...I use to mix zinc and vitamin E at night and use to cover my arms....U can get zinc in childrens section...its a rash cream for kids...:> but it works...but now after a full year my marks are 95% gone,,,,Cant even tell that something that disastrous happend,,,,,Its the worst feeling...

[shine_21_22]

I have also got some hypo-pigmentation pictures of my arms on my profile.......

thanx

[shine_21_22]

HI Dr. How are yah?
thanx for the reply
I wanted to tell u that i am actually using ginger juice and vitamin E on my arms since 10 days ago and now i could see the marks getting darker........Is it ok if i keep on putting it on my arms cuz since i have started the marks have been started to blend in

thanx

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Your symptoms are suggestive of post inflammatory hypopigmentation which is very common after laser treatment. The pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) are damaged or destroyed in the healing process of inflammation.
There is very little that can be done in post inflammatory hypopigmentation although with sun exposure the white areas should eventually repigment. Please apply a sunscreen with spf of atleast 15 half an hour before going out in the sun. Also please don’t apply any benzoic acid or corticosteroid cream as it may further aggravate the problem.

Hope this helps. Take care and please do keep me posted if you have any additional doubts.