Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Discolouration Of Skin On Face, Arms And Legs?
Question: Hi. My face/arms/legs is darker than the rest of my body. I think it's due to sun exposure from a very young age, so I was wondering which creams were useful in reverting my skin to its original colour. Thanks
Brief Answer:
A broad spectrum sunscreen and a glycolic acid based product
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query and I have noted down your concern.
Both UVB and UVA rays present in solar spectrum can increase skin melanin.
You must use a broad spectrum sunscreen throughout the day to protect you skin from these rays. A broad spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA as well as UVB portion of the electromagnetic spectrum e.g a sunscreen with spf 50 would be adequate.
Reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours, on all exposed skin, specially when outdoors.
The quantity of sunscreen that should be applied for each application is 3 ml for each arm and 3 ml for face and neck.
At night you may use a glycolic acid based cream/ lotion. A preparation containing 10%-12 % glycolic acid in combination with or without other pigment reducing agents like kojic acid, hydroquinone, arbutin etc can be used.
Regards
A broad spectrum sunscreen and a glycolic acid based product
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I have gone through your query and I have noted down your concern.
Both UVB and UVA rays present in solar spectrum can increase skin melanin.
You must use a broad spectrum sunscreen throughout the day to protect you skin from these rays. A broad spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA as well as UVB portion of the electromagnetic spectrum e.g a sunscreen with spf 50 would be adequate.
Reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours, on all exposed skin, specially when outdoors.
The quantity of sunscreen that should be applied for each application is 3 ml for each arm and 3 ml for face and neck.
At night you may use a glycolic acid based cream/ lotion. A preparation containing 10%-12 % glycolic acid in combination with or without other pigment reducing agents like kojic acid, hydroquinone, arbutin etc can be used.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Are there any recommended cream/lotion that you would personally recommend?
Brief Answer:
Sunscreen with broad spectrum coverage; Glycolic acid 10% Or 12% cream
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
There are a lot of sunscreens which one can find over the counter e.g Sebamed sunscreen lotion, spf 50+, Neutrogena Ultrasheer dry touch sunscreen 50+.
There are a lot of other brands which you may find at a store near you. In general, before choosing a sunscreen make sure that it mentions spf and mentions that it is broad spectrum Or protects/ guards against both UV A and UV B. This way you can ensure that you are protecting your skin well enough.
Apart from using a sunscreen regularly, a sun protective behavior like avoid strong sun (between 10AM -4 PM), trying to stay in shade as much as possible, using umbrellas, broad brimmed hats, full sleave clothes etc would also help.
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid and it is present in low concentrations in lot of antiageing and skin whitening cream. The strength of glycolic acid that is usually present in these creams is 6%, 8%, 10% and few cream with even 12% of glycolic acid. Creams usually do not contain higher than 10%-12% because they can get irritating at higher strengths. Glycolic acid based cream include Glyco-A 12%, Demelan cream (contains glycolic acid 10% and kojic acid and arbutin), Glyaha-HQ (contains glycolic acid+ hydroquinone), Glyaha-Koj (Contains glycolic acid+ kojic acid). Your doctor may prescribe a different one of his/her own choice. All of them are good and effective.
It is advisable to use these creams under supervision of a doctor in your region.
Regards
Sunscreen with broad spectrum coverage; Glycolic acid 10% Or 12% cream
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
There are a lot of sunscreens which one can find over the counter e.g Sebamed sunscreen lotion, spf 50+, Neutrogena Ultrasheer dry touch sunscreen 50+.
There are a lot of other brands which you may find at a store near you. In general, before choosing a sunscreen make sure that it mentions spf and mentions that it is broad spectrum Or protects/ guards against both UV A and UV B. This way you can ensure that you are protecting your skin well enough.
Apart from using a sunscreen regularly, a sun protective behavior like avoid strong sun (between 10AM -4 PM), trying to stay in shade as much as possible, using umbrellas, broad brimmed hats, full sleave clothes etc would also help.
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid and it is present in low concentrations in lot of antiageing and skin whitening cream. The strength of glycolic acid that is usually present in these creams is 6%, 8%, 10% and few cream with even 12% of glycolic acid. Creams usually do not contain higher than 10%-12% because they can get irritating at higher strengths. Glycolic acid based cream include Glyco-A 12%, Demelan cream (contains glycolic acid 10% and kojic acid and arbutin), Glyaha-HQ (contains glycolic acid+ hydroquinone), Glyaha-Koj (Contains glycolic acid+ kojic acid). Your doctor may prescribe a different one of his/her own choice. All of them are good and effective.
It is advisable to use these creams under supervision of a doctor in your region.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
