I’m literally ashamed of my legs
I always have had a bit of darkening on my legs due to years of shaving, but never that visible. In Feb 2024 I decided to go for a laser hair removal consult and the aesthetician said she could remove all my hair and make my legs even skin toned by summer. I was nervous, but I said yes to hair removal and asked her about the skin tone process. She said she had worked for a plastic surgeon and dealt with my skin type - I’m fitz v (didn’t know this at the time) and said I was overthinking it, she then pulled out some type of wand and said it’s easy look, pushed me back on the chair and started stamping my legs. It was like someone putting a hot iron on my legs, I asked her to stop, she didn’t, said no pain no gain, this will peel off. For the next four weeks my legs burnt so bad and the marks were 10x worse than before. Never went back for anything else, did get the rest of my $3000 I paid (minus that session), the lady kept calling me for months saying I’m a scaredy cat and I should have continued all sessions. She wouldn’t tell me what laser she used and what heat settings afterwards, but the wand she used left square dots all over. I think it was likely C02 laser resurfacing.
I went to an actual derm during those first four weeks, she gave me 12% hydroquinone and a product called Cyspera. I was too scared to use the hq, but looking back maybe I should have. I used the cypera and then stopped due to other health issues. It faded a bit but still very visible. I can’t wear and skirt or shorts and putting make up on it or tinted spf feels burny. Earlier this year I decided to try removing the hair permanently again and opted for electrolysis. I had previously done it on my face, eye brows upper lip, chin and underarms and it was highly effective for me. I’ve done two 1 1/2 hour sessions and I think they’ve created more pih in the area.
My legs are highly dry and burny since summer started this year. That’s when I noticed the expanded darkening. I’m committed to continuing the electrolysis to atleast have the hair growth stopped.
I feel lost about the pih, I don’t know whether there’s any chance of fading this or just accepting it. I’m too scared to try laser again or a chemical peel because of how sensitive my skin is - and most derms and other meds spas have said this is likely permanent and only lasers or chem peels will help and topicals will not fade this out. I’m open to using topicals though.
I wanted to get any perspectives from experienced professionals or anyone who’s had severe pih like this and found success. I know this doesn’t compare to what so many people are going through but I’m really depressed about my legs, I’m embarrassed, I carry so much shame, and I’ve stopped dating. I don’t want anyone to see my legs up close.