Once-dry patches on penile head are now discolored?

So about half a year ago, a few small patches of dry looking skin appeared on the head of my penis, and peeled a bit when I would get in the shower. I thought the cause might have been masturbation, so I stopped for a period of time and applied some lotion to the dry spots every so often. The dryness went away soon after, but there is a lighter discoloration to the patches. It hasn't spread at all, but Im wondering if there's any kind of way to make the discoloration go away??

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to discoloration of the dry spots or post inflammatory hypopigmentation. Usually it goes away on its own after exposure to the sun. Creams like Elidel cream or Protropic can be used on these hypopigmented  areas but on such delicate areas it is not advisable to use them.

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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.