reason of dark skin - #19200
I am concerned about this dark skin that seems to be appearing on my arms and face. A few months back, I went on a vacation to a sunny place, and while I thought I was pretty careful with sunscreen, I ended up with much darker skin. Now, even after spending weeks indoors, my skin hasn't lightened up at all. I am not sure if it’s something I should worry about, or if it’s just a tan that will fade. I mean, I’ve read about different reasons of dark skin, like genetics and sun exposure, but I can’t shake off this feeling that there might be something more to it. Besides the tan, I’ve noticed my skin feels a bit rougher too. I went to a doctor who said it’s normal, given my skin type, but I can't help but wonder if there’s a specific reason of dark skin that I should be aware of. Is it possible there’s something underlying, or is this just a result of the sun exposure? Any thoughts on the reason of dark skin in cases like mine would really help. Thanks!
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Doctors' responses
It’s possible that what you’re experiencing is a combination of prolonged sun exposure and your skin’s natural response to it. When skin is exposed to UV radiation, it produces more melanin as a natural protective mechanism, leading to tanning. This can sometimes persist for months, especially if the exposure led to a deeper tan. However, when the skin doesn’t lighten over time, considering other factors is reasonable. Apart from genetics and sun exposure, increased pigmentation can result from certain medications, hormonal changes, or even skin conditions such as melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. If your skin remains darker and rougher despite being indoors for weeks, examining your skincare routine is a good step. Make sure you’re using a gentle exfoliant, which could help remove any dead skin cells, and a good moisturizer to maintain skin health. While sunscreen is crucial when exposed to sunlight, it’s also important to continue using SPF daily to prevent other sources of UV exposure. Also, consider any other changes such as new soaps or lotions that could be irritating your skin. If the changes are confined to areas exposed to sunlight, and without any other concerning symptoms like new spots or textures, it’s generally not urgent, but tracking any persistence or evolution of symptoms is wise. Since no diagnostic test is more accurate than a clinical evaluation, follow up with a dermatologist if the problem persists or if you notice any additional changes. They can assess for underlying causes like vitamin deficiencies or other less common disorders affecting pigmentation. Meanwhile, try to keep in records any new symptoms or existing conditions that could be contributing factors.
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