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What Causes Dark Patches On Facial Skin?
Posted on
Tue, 28 Oct 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 28 Oct 2014
Answered on
Fri, 21 Nov 2014
Last reviewed on
Question : I am a 54 year old housewife. Had hysterectomy done and ovary removed around 8 years back after a long bout of considerable blood loss due to irregular, frequent menses. Soon thereafter I have been observing that there are dark ugly patches appearing on my facial skin and forehead. My finger nails and toe nails are also turning black. I have visited a few skin specialists who advised as follows but without any sustaining relief:-
1) A course of Vitamin B12 & Vitamin D as I was found deficient in these two.
2) One of them advised application of 'MELACARE FORTE (HYDROQUINONE,TRETINOIN AND MOMETASONE' OINTMENT) for two weeks, follwed by GLYCO 6% for one week and finally GLYCO-A (BOTH GLYCOLIC ACID 6% & 12 % RESPECTIVELY) for two weeks. The facial patches were gone but returned with vengeance soon after I stopped it.
3) Another Dr. whom I visited after the first one advised a cream in a container which she seems to have concocted by herself for 12 days and asked me to visit her for "CHEMICAL PEEL". Now I am in a fix and can't decide. I also fear of side effects. Please tell me what is this CHEMICAL PEEL and if I should go for this. Please advise me how to get rid of these ugly patches on my facial skin and forehead and blackness of my nails. I have undergone an executive medical check up. All reports are absolutely Normal which include, inter XXXXXXX : i) Biochemistry, ii) CBC, iii) Urine Routine, iv)Stool Routine, v)Spirometry vi) Cytology,
vii)Australia Antigen,viii) Blood Sugar, ix)Mammography with Sonography, x) Free T3, Free T4 ,TSH AND XI) Bone Densitometry.
I am also facing another problem related to Hair fall. I had exceptionally long and thick hair which are thining and falling at alarming rate. I am frustrated as I have tried almost all traditional oils, formulas and shampoos. Please help.
1) A course of Vitamin B12 & Vitamin D as I was found deficient in these two.
2) One of them advised application of 'MELACARE FORTE (HYDROQUINONE,TRETINOIN AND MOMETASONE' OINTMENT) for two weeks, follwed by GLYCO 6% for one week and finally GLYCO-A (BOTH GLYCOLIC ACID 6% & 12 % RESPECTIVELY) for two weeks. The facial patches were gone but returned with vengeance soon after I stopped it.
3) Another Dr. whom I visited after the first one advised a cream in a container which she seems to have concocted by herself for 12 days and asked me to visit her for "CHEMICAL PEEL". Now I am in a fix and can't decide. I also fear of side effects. Please tell me what is this CHEMICAL PEEL and if I should go for this. Please advise me how to get rid of these ugly patches on my facial skin and forehead and blackness of my nails. I have undergone an executive medical check up. All reports are absolutely Normal which include, inter XXXXXXX : i) Biochemistry, ii) CBC, iii) Urine Routine, iv)Stool Routine, v)Spirometry vi) Cytology,
vii)Australia Antigen,viii) Blood Sugar, ix)Mammography with Sonography, x) Free T3, Free T4 ,TSH AND XI) Bone Densitometry.
I am also facing another problem related to Hair fall. I had exceptionally long and thick hair which are thining and falling at alarming rate. I am frustrated as I have tried almost all traditional oils, formulas and shampoos. Please help.
Brief Answer:
photograph required
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query.
Can you please upload a photograph of the involved area.
Its very important for me to see the area in order to give a proper diagnosis.
There is an option to upload photos on right side of query page. Please utilize that. You can also email reports to YYYY@YYYY with subject as attn Dr XXXXXXX Kumar.
Waiting for your response.
Thank you
photograph required
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query.
Can you please upload a photograph of the involved area.
Its very important for me to see the area in order to give a proper diagnosis.
There is an option to upload photos on right side of query page. Please utilize that. You can also email reports to YYYY@YYYY with subject as attn Dr XXXXXXX Kumar.
Waiting for your response.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Please treat my matter very seriously as i have come to you as a LAST resort.
Brief Answer:
photograph required
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I want to help you but it's important for me to see the extent and pattern of pigmentation.
Please upload a photograph.
Waiting for your response.
Thank you.
photograph required
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I want to help you but it's important for me to see the extent and pattern of pigmentation.
Please upload a photograph.
Waiting for your response.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Kindly refer to the photo I have uploaded.
Brief Answer:
details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the photograph.
It's better to go for chemical peel.
Follow the following schedule
1. Undergo chemical peel with 35 % glycolic acid.
2. After 3 days start applying luminosa cream daily in night.
3. Apply photobloc sunscreen daily in morning.
Do this for two months.
For hair fall take proanagen and follihair tablets daily.
Thank you
details below
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the photograph.
It's better to go for chemical peel.
Follow the following schedule
1. Undergo chemical peel with 35 % glycolic acid.
2. After 3 days start applying luminosa cream daily in night.
3. Apply photobloc sunscreen daily in morning.
Do this for two months.
For hair fall take proanagen and follihair tablets daily.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your prompt reply. I will be truly grateful if I get rid of this malady which has rendered me hugely desperate.
However, I have a few follow up queries:-
1) What has caused this problem? An explanation (specially with regard to biochemical anomaly in the body) will highly be appreciated.
2) Is my fear of possible side effect of CHEMICAL PEEL unfounded?
2) The tablets prescribed for hair fall. What is the dose and duration.
Regards, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
However, I have a few follow up queries:-
1) What has caused this problem? An explanation (specially with regard to biochemical anomaly in the body) will highly be appreciated.
2) Is my fear of possible side effect of CHEMICAL PEEL unfounded?
2) The tablets prescribed for hair fall. What is the dose and duration.
Regards, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
estrogen sensitivity.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Increase sensitivity to estrogen has been implicated as a causative factor.
The level of estrogen is normal it's only the response of facial skin to it which has increased.
You don't need about peels. It is safe.
Just it should be applied in correct concentration for a correct period. You should take one tablet daily for 6 months
Thank you
estrogen sensitivity.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Increase sensitivity to estrogen has been implicated as a causative factor.
The level of estrogen is normal it's only the response of facial skin to it which has increased.
You don't need about peels. It is safe.
Just it should be applied in correct concentration for a correct period. You should take one tablet daily for 6 months
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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