Small, skin colored, flat bumps from past pregnancy. What can I do to make skin on neck and chest more smooth? (Photos)

Question

When I I was pregnant I got some skin tags but I also got a large amount of these small bumps on my chest and neck that are skin colored and more flat. My neck feels like braille and although it’s not too noticeable indoors, it’s noticeable in natural light. I have sensitive skin so I’d like to make my skin smoother but I also don’t want to get a procedure done that will leave any scarring or pigment issues and make it worse.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser.  Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.  
Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin - Winnetka & Chicago. This is a great question. The small, flat, skin-colored bumps that developed on your chest and neck during pregnancy are likely benign growths such as sebaceous hyperplasia, milia, or possibly tiny seborrheic keratoses—common in hormonally sensitive areas and often exacerbated during pregnancy. Given your sensitive skin and concern about pigment changes or scarring, especially on the delicate neck and chest area, a gentle and gradual approach is best. Using a low-strength retinol a few times per week can help improve texture over time by encouraging cell turnover, but it must be introduced slowly to avoid irritation. You might also consider products with polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), which are milder than AHAs yet still effective for smoothing rough skin. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Small, skin colored, flat bumps from past pregnancy. What can I do to make skin on neck and chest more smooth? (Photos)

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