Uneven Skin Tone/Hyperpigmentation

[nishu92]

Hi! 

This is my first time reaching out for help as I am starting to feel self conscious about my arms and back. Last year I got this weird rash that was super itchy and all over my arms and body for about 6 months. I tried all the creams and lotions in the world and only cerave anti-itch lotion seemed to help cure the situation. The only problem was once the situation was gone, I was left with these marks that looked like what you get after you hurt or scratch yourself and pick the scrab, but with a brownish ring around it. Does anyone know how to cure this? What could I use? 

Below I have attached a photo of what exactly it looks like on my arms.

 

 

 

[meou]

@nishu92 honestly I don't see anything... BUT it sounds like you described residual hyperpigmentation (possibly PIH) so a couple recommendations but the two biggest and probably most imapctful ill be 

• WEAR SUNSCREEN - this is especially important if you are using the chemical exfoliants I outline below
• visit a dermatologist - it might seem more expensive up front if but it'll probably be a better investment then buying all the creams and scrubs in the world

The below are ingredients that help with hyper pigmentatio - you can look for body products that have this OR you can actually mix face serums in to your fave lotion (I do this with the Ordinary products since its a bit more cost effective) 

• Vitamin C (specifically L-Ascorbic Acid)
• Arbutin
• Azelaic Acid
• Niacinamide

You can also try a chemical exfoliant scrub/lotion (again you can also just buy a chemical exfoliant and mix with lotion) 

• Skinfix Resurface+ AHA Renewing Body Cream 
• First Aid Beauty Mini KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA – Body Exfoliant for Keratosis Pilaris  (this one actually lasts awhile if you only use it on your arms and like twice a week!)
• REN Clean Skincare AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum 

[nishu92]

Hi! 

Thank you for your help. I do not have any bumpy skin. But here is a better photo, where I circled what I am trying to get help fixing.

 

[meou]

@nishu92 this is about to get super sciencey lol but like hopefully simplified science. 

The AHA is actually meant to help exfoliate the pigmented skin cells and increase cell turnover. It definitely helps with texture on skin but even with hyperpigmentation you want to push the cells with excess melanin away and have new skin cells push to the surface. Then the ingredients I listed are tyrosinase inhibitors so they prevent the production of melanocytes and the gathering of melanin. So in conjunction with the AHA the hope is that you'll make the cells with melanin go away and encourage new cells without melanin to come to the surface.