When skin is burned, the pigment is temporarily destroyed. Your new skin will therefore look pink, red or purple. Over the following few months, the pigment will slowly return and begin to look similar to your surrounding skin. This is a long and slow process that can take up to 2 years.
Most skin burns that are small and first or second degree will heal within one to two weeks and will not usually scar. In some patients with second degree burns, the skin may become darker or lighter in color, and this will return to normal in 6-9 months.
Burn marks may not go away completely, but they will fade over time. Treatments like topical creams and laser therapy can also help reduce the appearance of a burn scar. The severity of scarring and how much its appearance can be reduced depends on the depth of the burn and how it was initially treated and managed.
The process of restoring your original skin tone can be achieved through gentle natural methods, such as using aloe vera, coconut oil, and vitamin C serums, which help to nourish the skin without causing harm. Exfoliating your skin regularly and using sunscreen to prevent further darkening are also crucial steps.
Eventually, your skin returns to its normal shade. For some people, though, skin can change color and stay that way.
Lightening agents: Whitening or lightening agents, such as hydroquinone, can lighten blemishes, sunspots and uneven pigmentation. Laser skin resurfacing: Lasers remove the damaged top layer of skin and increase collagen production, which makes the skin's surface smoother and provides a more even appearance.
Sunburn symptoms often appear within a few hours after sun exposure. Within a few days, the body may start to heal itself by peeling the damaged skin's top layer. A bad sunburn may take several days to heal. Any lingering changes in skin color usually go away with time.
Once what's causing the dark spots or patches is found and stopped, fading can take time. A spot that is a few shades darker than your natural skin color will usually fade within 6 to 12 months. If the color lies deep in your skin, however, fading can take years.
Second-degree burns (also known as partial thickness burns) involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin. The burn site appears red, blistered, and may be swollen and painful.
Skin colour (pigmentation)
When skin is burned, the pigment is temporarily destroyed. Your new skin will therefore look pink, red or purple. Over the following few months, the pigment will slowly return and begin to look similar to your surrounding skin. This is a long and slow process that can take up to 2 years.
Appearance of burn scars includes: Color changes — The tissue may be a different color that is either darker or lighter than natural pigmentation. Texture — The scar may have a thick, tough or fibrous texture and can be shiny or smooth. Tissue changes — The tissue may be raised or indented.
Sun damage can lead to dark spots that can be lightened by topical skin-bleaching creams. Products with the ingredient hydroquinone are the most popular and effective. Hydroquinone 2% is available over the counter, but higher strengths of hydroquinone are available by prescription.
Retinoids are known as the gold standard treatment option for repairing sun damage. They work by increasing cell turnover, which helps turnover damaged skin cells and stimulate the growth of new ones. Read more about tretinoin. Read more about adapalene.
Light therapy or phototherapy is the treatment to help return color to your skin. Your provider will use light boxes, ultraviolet B (UVB) lights or medical-grade lasers directed at your skin for a short amount of time. It can take several light therapy sessions to see results on your skin.
Home Care. In some cases, normal skin color returns on its own. You may use medicated creams that bleach or lighten the skin to reduce discoloration or to even the skin tone where hyperpigmented areas are large or very noticeable. Check with your health care provider first about using such products.
Vitamins can be used to lighten your skin and lighten dark spots. Three of the best vitamins for lightening dark spots are vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Vitamin C helps your skin produce more collagen while inhibiting the formation of melanin.