Lightened Skin After Sunburn.

Mar 24, 2015

Chelsea S.

So I went to an outdoor concert in August and ended up with a really bad sunburn all over my body. I still have the tan line from the top I wore, but there is also this lightened patch of skin on my shoulder with a few sun spots. Is there anything I can put on this lightened area so that it evens out my skin tone (besides some type of tanning product)? I also cannot go see a doctor about it atm until I get health insurance. Thanks in advance!

Mar 24, 2015

Sabrina K.

I think your best bet is to exfoliate with a good body exfoiater, a sugar or coffee grinds exfoliated would do the job. It won't give you instant results but it will fade the tan without hurting your skin.

Mar 24, 2015

Sabrina K.

Well my skin does this as well, as you can we I'm veeery pale and burn so easy,when I burn I always have patches like that, that will stay white or at least lighter. I believe its just the pigmentation of your skin - so they shouldn't go lighter and at least not lighter then your natural skin tone - did that make sense haha

Mar 24, 2015

Chelsea S.

I know what you mean! Did they ever go away or are they permanent from my getting so burned? Also, I read that some medications may also cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun?

Mar 24, 2015

Sabrina K.

Well I don't think you will know that before you tan again :/ I have places that don't get tan at all, like on my arms and stuff, but I also had a horrible burn on my chest quite a few years ago where the skin is all fine again - I barely get any color I have to say, so the white spots are not really noticeable on me since I'm so light - if I'm in the sun I just get lobster red and then back to white :/
But take good care of your skin, exfoliate to fade the tan and start maybe wearing a higher spf when you in the sun and then I think you will be fine!

Mar 24, 2015

Sabrina K.

Oh and about the medication I'm sorry but I don't know about that! I haven't heard it myself, but it might be true!

Mar 24, 2015

Shauna S.

I agree with exfoliating which will eventually make your skin more even over time. Wearing a daily spf will help protect it as well. The colour should eventually even out, you won't have a permanent tan line but it might take a very long time for it to heal. Yes some medications can make you sensitive to the sun. My mom is on depression medication and she can't go out in the sun. Even when we go away on vacation and she wears a t-shirt and sits in the shade she will get an insane sunburn and get these bubbles all over her shoulders. If you're on a medication that says to avoid sunlight then try your best to wear something with sleeves or slather on a high spf sunscreen. Some people though, like my mom will get a reaction from the sun and the medication no matter what.

Mar 25, 2015

Chelsea S.

Thanks so much Sabrina! And Shauna, one of my medications does say to stay out of the sunlight. I''ve been on it for years, but that was the first time I had any skin reactions from it. It was also the worst I've ever been burned as well :( You've both helped to ease my worries about it though!

Mar 25, 2015

Shauna S.

Chances are it has made your skin more sensitive over time or it made you burn faster and more severely then you normally would. still no need to worry I've seen a lot worse. just keep moisturizing and protecting it. next time after a burn put 100% pure aloe Vera gel on it. it should clear it up right away. aloe vera is also used to help severe burn victims. it does wonders for redness and prevents flaking