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What Causes Dark Spots On Hands And Cheeks?
Posted on
Tue, 6 Jan 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 6 Jan 2015
Answered on
Tue, 3 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi, I am 37 yo. I just came back from XXXXXXX and noticed 3 nights into the trip that I developed dark spots on the tops of my hands and what appear to be 3 dark smudges on my right cheek.
Brief Answer:
This looks like a photo allergy,
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query and photographs.
It is looking like photo allergy rather than reaction with lime.
I usually advise skin lightening cream in night and sunscreen in day and have seen good response with that.
Various skin lightening creams like melalite xl , lookbrite etc are available. You can use any of these in night and use a sunscreen with spf 40 in day.
This should relieve you.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you
This looks like a photo allergy,
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query and photographs.
It is looking like photo allergy rather than reaction with lime.
I usually advise skin lightening cream in night and sunscreen in day and have seen good response with that.
Various skin lightening creams like melalite xl , lookbrite etc are available. You can use any of these in night and use a sunscreen with spf 40 in day.
This should relieve you.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hi,
Thank you for your reply. I have additional questions:
1. I Googled "photo allergy" and saw/read images of red marks and itching. I do not have any of these symptoms. My marks are brown.
2. What causes photo allergy?
3. Will the skin lightening cream lighten the skin around the marks as well?
4. How long does this photo allergy usually stay on the skin without the skin lightening creams?
5. I read that Melalite may cause skin cancer after prolonged use?
6. Can I find Melalite XL and Lookbrite at any drug store in the US, or does it have to be prescribed by a doctor?
Thank you for your reply. I have additional questions:
1. I Googled "photo allergy" and saw/read images of red marks and itching. I do not have any of these symptoms. My marks are brown.
2. What causes photo allergy?
3. Will the skin lightening cream lighten the skin around the marks as well?
4. How long does this photo allergy usually stay on the skin without the skin lightening creams?
5. I read that Melalite may cause skin cancer after prolonged use?
6. Can I find Melalite XL and Lookbrite at any drug store in the US, or does it have to be prescribed by a doctor?
Brief Answer:
It is safe.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the follow up.
1. Photo allergy is of various types. Some of these present only with pigmentation.
2. It occurs due to excessive exposure to sunlight.
3. Photo allergy might require up to 6 months to resolve if you use only sunscreen.
4. Melalite has no such side effects.
5. Melalite reduces pigmentation only of the hyperpigmented area and not of the normal area.
6. We dermatologists are prescribing it since years, It is safe.
7. It is usually available over the counter.
Just give it a try.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you
It is safe.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the follow up.
1. Photo allergy is of various types. Some of these present only with pigmentation.
2. It occurs due to excessive exposure to sunlight.
3. Photo allergy might require up to 6 months to resolve if you use only sunscreen.
4. Melalite has no such side effects.
5. Melalite reduces pigmentation only of the hyperpigmented area and not of the normal area.
6. We dermatologists are prescribing it since years, It is safe.
7. It is usually available over the counter.
Just give it a try.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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