White spots on skin, how to reverse damage? (Photo)

Question

Hello I’m a POC and struggled with different shades throughout my whole body, I started using a brightening cream that was marketed towards evening skin tone but instead now I have white spots on my arms. It looks like the cream bleached my hair follicles and now it’s all spotty. Can this be fixed, do I need to see a dermatologist??

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your concerns and the photo. From what I can see, the small white spots on your arms are likely post-inflammatory hypopigmentation or chemical-induced depigmentation from the brightening cream. This can happen when strong bleaching agents or harsh ingredients affect the pigment cells in the skin or hair follicles, causing lighter spots.

Unfortunately, once pigment is lost, it can be challenging to fully restore, but there are ways to improve the appearance over time:

Stop the offending product immediately – Continuing to use the cream can worsen the spots.

Sun protection is crucial – The surrounding skin can darken with sun exposure, making the spots more noticeable. Using a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily can prevent further contrast.

Topical treatments – Sometimes gentle creams that promote skin healing and even tone, like those containing niacinamide or mild retinoids, can help gradually even out pigmentation. Avoid strong bleaching products.

Procedural options – Dermatologists may offer treatments such as microneedling, laser therapy, or targeted light therapy, but these need to be tailored carefully, especially for darker skin tones to avoid further pigment changes.

Patience – Skin pigmentation can improve slowly over months. Sudden or aggressive treatments can worsen the spots.

Because the skin reacts differently in people of color, a dermatologist evaluation is recommended to assess the exact cause, confirm it’s not something like a fungal infection, and guide safe treatment options.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

White spots on skin, how to reverse damage? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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