Brown spots on legs, ankle, feet - Sun damage? Mastyocitosis? (photos)

Question

White female, 54, history of tanning bed use for 20 years (no longer), post menopausal Hello. I went through menopause around 4 years ago and coincidentally, brown spots started appearing on hands, arms, legs and now top of feet. Literally legs are covered to the point of not being able to show them. I paid $600 for lower leg IPL treatment several months back with no results. Is this sun damage or could it be something else? Mastyocitosis was something someone mentioned? Thank you

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

It's possible that the brown spots on your skin are due to sun damage, as prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to hyperpigmentation, which appears as dark spots on the skin. However, it's also important to rule out other potential causes of hyperpigmentation, such as certain medical conditions.

Mastocytosis is a rare condition that can cause hyperpigmentation on the skin, among other symptoms. It occurs when there are too many mast cells in the body, which can lead to allergic reactions and other health issues. If you're concerned about mastocytosis, it's important to consult with a dermatologist or other healthcare provider who can evaluate your symptoms and perform any necessary tests to diagnose the condition.

Another potential cause of hyperpigmentation is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which occurs when the skin produces too much melanin in response to inflammation or injury. This can occur after a skin injury, such as a burn or acne breakout. If you've experienced any skin injuries or inflammation in the areas where the brown spots have appeared, PIH could be a possible cause.

It's important to note that IPL treatment may not be effective for all types of hyperpigmentation. Depending on the cause of your brown spots, other treatments, such as topical creams or chemical peels, may be more effective. A dermatologist or other skincare specialist can help you determine the best course of treatment for your specific situation.

In any case, it's important to protect your skin from further sun damage by wearing sunscreen with a high SPF, avoiding prolonged sun exposure, and wearing protective clothing when outdoors.

I hope this helps,
best of luck !

Brown spots on legs, ankle, feet - Sun damage? Mastyocitosis? (photos)

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Brown spots on legs, ankle, feet - Sun damage? Mastyocitosis? (photos)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about IPL

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