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What Causes Redness On Cheeks After Exposure To Tanning While On Depo?
Question: So three weeks ago I was given the depo provera shot. I don't know if that's relevant but I'm going to try to give you all relevant info. A few days after I laid in the tanning bed only for 7 minutes of 20. No burn, no anything, hardly affected. I just wanted enough to try to even out my skin complexion. A few days goes by and everything is fine. Its been hot lately so I've used baby wipes to keep my skin dry and not oily because I was afraid depo might give me acne since its a birth control. I wore makeup for the first time in probably a month (i only wore it sparingly before that; same kind so its not an allergic reaction) and so id wipe it off once or twice a day to reapply. well then i used regular hand lotion on my face and it made my cheeks burn but there was already a red hot circle on my cheek that had an acne place in it so I thought it was from that but it felt raw. But both my cheeks burned not just the one. But then I put vaseline on it and it was fine. Well I don't know when it happened but I noticed that now both my cheeks are VERY dry but the weird thing is, as you will see in the pics, it doesn't seem to be related to anything I've put on my face. On my left side, theres a "patch" of tannish looking skin (very hard to make out) under my eye to halfway down my cheek; its red and hot when wet and tannish when dry. It looks like it needs to peel but is too deep to do so. It's very hard to see unless you are up close so my family didnt notice it until I pointed it out. Putting moisturizer on it definitely makes it better and its almost impossible to notice unless you are up close. But there are lines of changes in moisture and texture on my face. And on my right side, it's "normal" skin from below my eyelid all the way down my perioral folds btu then as you get to my cheek, it gets splotchy and dry, as if someone wiped away all oil and texture from it. See pictures. I saw a dermatologist who said to watch it and come back in 1-2 week but he didnt seem alarmed. I'm wondering what could have possibly have caused this. Hydrocortisone cream burned it a little so I didn't use that. It's not like a sit-on-top of the skin rash like eczema and it certainly doesnt look like rosacea or contact dermatitis. It just looks like my skin stopped producing oil in some places and is discolored. It's VERY hard to tell unless you are up close but I know if I were to get sun on it it would be much more defined. Please help. ive spent hours and i cant find anything. It seems like it started over a week ago but honestly I'm not sure. My upper cheeks were red for a couple of days before all this but the lower cheeks were not, yet they are dry as well.
Brief Answer:
Depot provera effect .self care/ expert advise / Prevention would help.
Detailed Answer:
hI XXXXX,
Thanks for the query under HCM forum.
- I understand your concern.
* I have read your query carefully and come to conclusion that your problem is due to exposure to tanning while you were under effect of Hormone Progesteron derivative present in Depot Provera. Normally Depot provera does not have any skin problem as side effect.. but when one is exposed to strong sunlight/ tanning bed , Depot provera makes the skin more sensitive to ultra violate light,causing deeper effect / more tanning,drying of skin even if exposure is for shorter duration.And in my view your varied skin effects after tanning are due to it.
* Management of the present skin skin condition -
The problem of hormone affecting ultra violate sensitivity has been done.It's to be understood, the hormone will remain in your system for 3 months, but it will not continue to have adverse effect of acne formation till then. So You have to do few things to avoid further damage/ heal present skin problem.
- Avoid tanning bed/ tanning lotion/ exposure to sun in these 3 months.
- Consult a skin specialist for treatment of acne ( antibiotics ) IN CASE YOU HAVE PUS FORMATION/ CYSTIC LESION . ( YOU DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ONE AT PRESENT./ Use acne local medicines at affected area only ,after consulting skin specialist & giving him detailed information.
- skin is dry ,so you have to use some moisturizer .Prefer natural moisturizer like lemon drops + honey, coconut oil whichever suits you.( avoid chemicals)
- Use glycerine soap to clean your face. Frequent washing would facilitate healing/ avoiding new crops.
I am sure patient skin care, treatment of present skin lesion ,avoidance of further recurrence would help you in over coming your problem.
I hope the answer has been bith informative & useful to you. Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.
Depot provera effect .self care/ expert advise / Prevention would help.
Detailed Answer:
hI XXXXX,
Thanks for the query under HCM forum.
- I understand your concern.
* I have read your query carefully and come to conclusion that your problem is due to exposure to tanning while you were under effect of Hormone Progesteron derivative present in Depot Provera. Normally Depot provera does not have any skin problem as side effect.. but when one is exposed to strong sunlight/ tanning bed , Depot provera makes the skin more sensitive to ultra violate light,causing deeper effect / more tanning,drying of skin even if exposure is for shorter duration.And in my view your varied skin effects after tanning are due to it.
* Management of the present skin skin condition -
The problem of hormone affecting ultra violate sensitivity has been done.It's to be understood, the hormone will remain in your system for 3 months, but it will not continue to have adverse effect of acne formation till then. So You have to do few things to avoid further damage/ heal present skin problem.
- Avoid tanning bed/ tanning lotion/ exposure to sun in these 3 months.
- Consult a skin specialist for treatment of acne ( antibiotics ) IN CASE YOU HAVE PUS FORMATION/ CYSTIC LESION . ( YOU DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ONE AT PRESENT./ Use acne local medicines at affected area only ,after consulting skin specialist & giving him detailed information.
- skin is dry ,so you have to use some moisturizer .Prefer natural moisturizer like lemon drops + honey, coconut oil whichever suits you.( avoid chemicals)
- Use glycerine soap to clean your face. Frequent washing would facilitate healing/ avoiding new crops.
I am sure patient skin care, treatment of present skin lesion ,avoidance of further recurrence would help you in over coming your problem.
I hope the answer has been bith informative & useful to you. Any follow up query is welcome.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. That somewhat makes sense. I guess I don't understand why it would make different patches; why it wouldnt peel, and why i didnt see it for days afterward. its not melasma, its clearly something you can feel. ill have patches of "normal" looking skin but yet its still dry then patches of dry looking skin that is very sensitive and if i lay on it it will be red for a while. Does that make sense?
Brief Answer:
Hormonal imbalance & different skin types cause patchy skin reaction
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for the swift follow up query. It indicates your intense concern & eagerness. But please understand,psychological stress causes hormonal imbalance which in turn is likely to aggravate the problem. Any health problem occurs with fast pase, but takes it's own time to resolve back to normal. So calm down & try to fight back the thing patiently as discussed earlier.
Still knowledge forms important step towards satisfaction & confidence in treatment... I would try to discuss your queries.
1. You had your session of tanning bed after Depot provera.. which had sensitized your skin & was excessively affected by tanning agent .
2 As you say every thing was fine to start with, but as the hot climate started,-- it had adverse effect on your tanned skin ( being under effect of Depot provera ).. & the trouble started.
3 .You started wearing make up which added by blocking of sweat glands creating acne on cheeks.
4.Using hand lotion ( which has alcohol content ) for face increased the skin irritation/ sensitivity / rawness Which added to dryness out of depot provera.
5 The patchy reaction on face ( Change in texture/moisture on face )can be explained in two ways.
- The skin under eyes & around mouth is looser ,has more skin tissue . Effect of tanning more obvious there. .. It gets red when washed ..because of increased blood circulation..While as it dries, normal color returns ( as is seen after a cold shower )
- As I have already discussed, the hormone Progesteron in depo prvera alters skin reaction to tanning. This is by disturbing action of oesterogen ( female hormone) which creates female skin to be more soft/,thin / dry.
Acceptance of each of oesterogen & progesteron ( female sex hormones ) in our body , is through receptors receiving these hormones. They are distributed in different ares of female body in different proportions.
Now the Hormonal imbalance & it's effect will be reflected in different parts of face according to distribution of these receptors.
Any way, once you are convinced about the cause of the different reactions, you should be more sincere to get a way out of the problem
Please follow the self care,wait patiently for the things to resolve by itself. Be careful follower of preventive measures as has been described previously. It should help you. Seek your doctor's advise as per need.
I hope I am clear about your queries. any follow up query you have, I will be happy to help.
Please grade the answer before you close the query.
Thanks.
Hormonal imbalance & different skin types cause patchy skin reaction
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for the swift follow up query. It indicates your intense concern & eagerness. But please understand,psychological stress causes hormonal imbalance which in turn is likely to aggravate the problem. Any health problem occurs with fast pase, but takes it's own time to resolve back to normal. So calm down & try to fight back the thing patiently as discussed earlier.
Still knowledge forms important step towards satisfaction & confidence in treatment... I would try to discuss your queries.
1. You had your session of tanning bed after Depot provera.. which had sensitized your skin & was excessively affected by tanning agent .
2 As you say every thing was fine to start with, but as the hot climate started,-- it had adverse effect on your tanned skin ( being under effect of Depot provera ).. & the trouble started.
3 .You started wearing make up which added by blocking of sweat glands creating acne on cheeks.
4.Using hand lotion ( which has alcohol content ) for face increased the skin irritation/ sensitivity / rawness Which added to dryness out of depot provera.
5 The patchy reaction on face ( Change in texture/moisture on face )can be explained in two ways.
- The skin under eyes & around mouth is looser ,has more skin tissue . Effect of tanning more obvious there. .. It gets red when washed ..because of increased blood circulation..While as it dries, normal color returns ( as is seen after a cold shower )
- As I have already discussed, the hormone Progesteron in depo prvera alters skin reaction to tanning. This is by disturbing action of oesterogen ( female hormone) which creates female skin to be more soft/,thin / dry.
Acceptance of each of oesterogen & progesteron ( female sex hormones ) in our body , is through receptors receiving these hormones. They are distributed in different ares of female body in different proportions.
Now the Hormonal imbalance & it's effect will be reflected in different parts of face according to distribution of these receptors.
Any way, once you are convinced about the cause of the different reactions, you should be more sincere to get a way out of the problem
Please follow the self care,wait patiently for the things to resolve by itself. Be careful follower of preventive measures as has been described previously. It should help you. Seek your doctor's advise as per need.
I hope I am clear about your queries. any follow up query you have, I will be happy to help.
Please grade the answer before you close the query.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. This will be my last followup question. Overall this makes sense, I have just never had anything like this happen before. It seems like redness would be caused but not the texture changes. To clarify,the skin around my eyes and mouth and nose are NORMAL, not red, but my cheeks are the ones who seem to be red and without any oil. There's the line of texture/color change. I just don't understand how the "patch" of skin under my eye that seems to be normal (oily feeling, normal color) turns red hot if you get it very wet (which I only did once; learned my lesson and didnt do it again!) Thank you!!
Brief Answer:
It's the skin types / exaggareted effect of tanning on them.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for the follow up query.
I understand your concern & curiosity.
I had already explained about causes of patchy changes in skin following tanning while under effect of Depot provera. I would try to be more clear about them now.
* Tanning actually a skin damage. The ultra violate rays can penetrate skin,stimulate melanin formation, cause popping / dilatation of blood vessels under skin. It causes damage to skin & subcutaneous tissue & leads to blemished skin ( early aging- wrinkles/ dry/ scaling skin/ bags under eye ) .With possibility of melanoma. So repeated tanning does not carry a healthy out look.
* Tanning causes -
- Redness of skin where it is stretched/ thin because of blood vessel dilatation.( normally also blushing causes reddened cheeks first )
- The skin which is loose, & normal in thickness, the blood vessel changes are not obvious, so skin color remains normal.But it can be reddened after getting stimulated ( hot/ cold water compresses- both cause increased blood flow- the blood vessels being dilated ).The increased gush of blood to the area can be seen as red & warm skin.
- Now the degree of warmth has a personal psychological perspective. I hope you will be satisfied with the explanation.
* I again repeat, what you need at present is -
- Be satisfied for once ,stop thinking & thereby bothering your own psychology ( which is likely to aggravate the problem)
- Concentrate on persistant care of skin to overcome the changes you have at present. Maintain the natural beauty you have. Follow skin friendly cosmetics.
- Avoid tanning / exposure to sunlight in coming 3 months.
-Remember, this time you had depot provera as a source of progesteron.. but in woman's life, many occasions come where progesteron is naturally increased. So better to avoid tanning hence forth & save your skin's natural beauty.
I hope that satisfies you. I would be happy to help in case of need.
Thanks.
It's the skin types / exaggareted effect of tanning on them.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX,
Thanks for the follow up query.
I understand your concern & curiosity.
I had already explained about causes of patchy changes in skin following tanning while under effect of Depot provera. I would try to be more clear about them now.
* Tanning actually a skin damage. The ultra violate rays can penetrate skin,stimulate melanin formation, cause popping / dilatation of blood vessels under skin. It causes damage to skin & subcutaneous tissue & leads to blemished skin ( early aging- wrinkles/ dry/ scaling skin/ bags under eye ) .With possibility of melanoma. So repeated tanning does not carry a healthy out look.
* Tanning causes -
- Redness of skin where it is stretched/ thin because of blood vessel dilatation.( normally also blushing causes reddened cheeks first )
- The skin which is loose, & normal in thickness, the blood vessel changes are not obvious, so skin color remains normal.But it can be reddened after getting stimulated ( hot/ cold water compresses- both cause increased blood flow- the blood vessels being dilated ).The increased gush of blood to the area can be seen as red & warm skin.
- Now the degree of warmth has a personal psychological perspective. I hope you will be satisfied with the explanation.
* I again repeat, what you need at present is -
- Be satisfied for once ,stop thinking & thereby bothering your own psychology ( which is likely to aggravate the problem)
- Concentrate on persistant care of skin to overcome the changes you have at present. Maintain the natural beauty you have. Follow skin friendly cosmetics.
- Avoid tanning / exposure to sunlight in coming 3 months.
-Remember, this time you had depot provera as a source of progesteron.. but in woman's life, many occasions come where progesteron is naturally increased. So better to avoid tanning hence forth & save your skin's natural beauty.
I hope that satisfies you. I would be happy to help in case of need.
Thanks.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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