HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Patches And Black Marks On Face?

Posted on Tue, 14 Jun 2016

Question: Hi doctor
I'm XXXXXXX 25 male.
now a days my face skin is turning into black marks those are like patches that is spreading throughout my face except my nose and ears.it started simply from the area cheeks near the ear and spreaded all through my face near the under eye too. It is looking so odd as my nose and ears are looking white and the rest of the face is looking with black patches. I was so much worried.if I touch my skin at these areas it is vey rough like something covered my skin with patch. What would be the reason for this ? Nd what is the solution ?Iam fair guy but facing so many issues please Sujjest me what I have to do to get rid of these black patches on my face . Would like to know the reasons why this occurred to me I never faced these kind of prblm until 3 months.Is it a sign of vitamin deficiency?? What might be the cause? Please sujjest me. Thanks

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
freckles from sun damage

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I understand your anxiety.
With your description I feel that you have a moderate to severe damage to the skin from sun. The UVA rays of the sun cause rough hyperpigmented dark patches on the face especially it is more exposed to it. Other factors also contribute to it including age. Environmental factors like wind, dirt, chemicals, arid climates, smoking, pollution, that can cause the skin to appear blotchy and uneven. What they do is they strip the skin of its natural collagen and elastin fibers, causing it to appear dry, rough, and wrinkled.

You should identify all these factors and start addressing them one by one.
Sun by good sun screen lotion with SPF of 30+ and PA++ if you go in the sun during day.
At night use night cremes as moisturizers. DO not use day time moisturizers.
Cover the face to reduce exposure to other elements.
the best cheapest and yet most potent anti darkeniing agent for the facial skin is hydroquinone 2% to 4%. Start with 2% cream at night not day, if it does not give any irritation or redness you can slowly increase to 3% and 4% gradually.

YOu may do anything or not, protect your skin from the above agents and sun to prevent spread to ears and nose.
You can meet a Dermatologist for microdermabrasion or Kojic acid peels. They are very effective initially and see the results in two to three sittings.

All the best.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (33 hours later)

Hi doctor,
I don't have any bad habits like smoking and drinking.Im from XXXXXXX , I came to United States 2 years back and I'm currently living in XXXXXXX after coming to here now iam facing my skin issues with dark patches as I told my problem above.I mentioned my place where I'm living as to let u know my weather conditions don't know why my lips are turning to black colour.Please sujjest the sunscreen lotion name with Spf 30 and PA++. Sujjest a good night moisturiser cream name too as mentioned above.Is hydroquinone 2% is a cream name ?? If not please sujjest the name of the cream containing hydroquinone as mentioned above. Now iam not affordable to visit a demarologist in United States as I dnt have insurance yet still have to wait for 2 months. So please it would be better if any dermatologist can look in to this and sujjest a better answer. I had attached my images of black patches that covered all my face and my skin which is white near nose and ears please check them. Thanks .

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Skin lightening creams

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

You should get these creams from XXXXXXX As most of the creams I mentioned may not be available over the counter in US. You can get M-LITE cream from XXXXXXX if someone is coming. But check first in US pharmacy stores like Walgreens or CVS/Target stores for 2% hydroquinone cream.The brand name that I know is Clinicians Complex 6% Skin Bleaching Cream.
You can go to any pharmacy in US and ask them for a sun screen with SPF 30.
I could see some pigmented patches definitely. THis is over the counter.
Any region can have sun light which can damage skin. Even there are other factors which I mentioned.
I am sorry if you want a Dermatologist to recommend then you should 'Ask A Specialist package. I am sure the Dermatologist recommendations would not change for the initial consults.
You should use these for at least 3 months before you seek a specialist opinion. Meanwhile you will get your insurance to see one there in US.
Let me know.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (4 days later)

Hi doctor,

It would be great if you recommend the best time to use the 2% hydroquinone cream.
Can I go out in sun when I applied hydroquinone cream?
Do I need to use any face wash cream to wash my face after applying hydroquinone cream?

Please let me know how to apply hydroquinone cream on my face.

Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. V. N. S. Parinam (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Already explained

Detailed Answer:
As I said earlier apply hydroquinone at night once for 3 months. Start thin and observe for a week before you increase the amount.
You can use normal soap to clean it off the next day morning. I suggest not to go out in the sun when you apply hydroquinone as its properties are lost under sunlight.
Protect yourself from sun.
Cover the skin that is damaged by wearing a wide brim hat as it can cover most part your face. Melasma ligthens sooner. If you do not have irritation or redness you can increase to 4% as well.
Hydroquinone is very safe and widely used.
If you do not have any more queries please close our discussion here.

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. Deepak