Hypopigmentation (White scars) -- how to treat?

[Maya]

To the doctor and anyone else who can help:

I have many small white scars across my chest and back, as a result of years of acne in these areas, along with, unfortunately, not treating it well (i.e. picking at it instead of leaving it alone). Sun damage might have also contributed to this problem.

At this point I am 25 and the skin in these areas is somewhat mottled, with these tiny whit escars dotting across the normal skin. The texture is also rough and uneven.

In doing my research, I came up with a name to describe these scars: "hypopigmented" -- meaning the pigment has disappeared. The skin in these scars is smooth and hard and not the pinky color of my normal skin.

My question is, what are my options if I don't want to live with this? How can I go about trying to treat this and retain somewhat of a normal skin color and texture? Is there anything I can do?

[Maya]

No one has any advice here?

[drtodorov]

I am not aware of an easy way to incresae pigmentation locally just in a small area of a hypopigmented scar.

Perhaps some approaches used for vitiligo may be looked into. See http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitiligo/DS00586/DSECTION=6

[Maya]

[marsto911]

I have been told that for hypopigmentation, the best way to match it to normal skin is to "bleech" the normal skin to a lighter pigment.

Adding pigment is very difficult.

m

[newskinoasis]

Maya,

What you're describing will best be treated by a physician--a dermatologist or plastic surgeon--who will likely recommend laser resurfacing or chemical peel. Professional-strength, pharmaceutical grade preparations that exfoliate (slough off dead cells) will help. While many excellent products are available without a prescription, you'll find them only in physicians' offices and medi-spas.

[Mike]

Hypopigmentation can have many causes. An accurate diagnosis is requred before you can even try to fix the problem.

Mike