r/DermatologyQuestions

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.

About a week ago, I went out into the sun for 15 minutes to do some heavy chores, my face ended up red and blotchy, looking like a sunburn or an allergic reaction, it calmed down and went back to normal in a few days.

Today the same thing happened, but looked a lot more dramatic. I wore sunscreen both times, caudalie the first and Elta md the second. My only skin care is a polish choice renewal mask in the evening, but it is washed off. I do not use retinol or anything like that and I’m on no medications.

My skin flares up to the point where it looks purple and then within an hour, it fades down to this strange redness. I’ve only had these two occasions, but I’m not sure what’s going on. Any insight?

These painfully unflattering images are taken an hour apart.

28M, active lifestyle, clean diet, boring desk job.

I have started to get deodorant burn after the last 4 brands of deodorants I’ve tried. It can take 3-4 weeks or even 4-6 months to onset, but then stays until I go 7-30 days without deodorant and consistency clean the area. It burns and generally looks inflamed by the end of the day.

There is currently Neosporin on it, as I’ve found that to help. Maybe it’s just a placebo or even hurting me - who knows. I don’t.

Brands I’ve tried:
- Native (2025-2026), fewest rashes but the most painful and stubborn ones. Had really good luck initially.
- Schmidt (2024), quick onset large rash size, moved on quickly.
- Harry’s (2023), mild rashes but more frequent, kept it as a backup for 2-3 day trips or something in a gym bag etc.
- Old Spice (2022), ditched quick

Any suggestions on a remedy and future product that would prevent this? Could it be the sodium bicarbonate I keep reading about? Do I need to amputate? Do my parents still love me? Why does my dog insist on jumping on the bed to only jump off the bed a short time later?

Thank you for the help.

Hi ❤️
I'm looking to see if anyone has had a child with a similar experience or could offer some insight.

My daughter was born with very little hair.

Most of it fell out during her first 3 months. She is now 15 months old and still has extremely sparse hair — I would estimate around 90 hairs on her entire scalp.

‼️ She doesn't have any body hair or fine peach fuzz (vellus hair) at all; it's literally just these few hairs on her head. ‼️

We have seen a dermatologist, and according to the doctor, the hair follicles are present and visible. The scalp doesn't appear scarred, and there seems to be potential for hair growth, but very little is actually growing.

Her eyelashes and eyebrows are also very sparse.
They are present, but there are only a few of them that I can easily count.

A few extra details about her health history:

She has a history of eczema and CMPA (Cows' Milk Protein Allergy).

All her blood tests, including thyroid function and vitamin levels, came back perfectly normal.

Something else I’ve noticed: Since she was about 6 months old, she has had small, firm, scattered bumps on her arms and legs. They don't itch or seem to bother her at all, but they just haven't gone away.

I'm wondering if this could be related?
One dermatologist suggested a theory that there may have been pressure on her neck while I was pregnant, causing reduced blood flow to the scalp, followed by a sudden increase in blood flow after she was delivered via C-section.

However, no other doctor has agreed with or mentioned this theory, so I'm not sure if it makes medical sense.

Has anyone had a child with very delayed hair growth like this, especially alongside eczema, allergies, sparse eyelashes/eyebrows, or those little bumps on the skin?

Did their hair eventually start growing later on?

I would really appreciate hearing any similar experiences, reassurance, or advice.

Thank you so much! 🙏🏼✨

Backstory: this is on my upper arm and it feels like a sunburn and stings. I’ve had it for 7 days now and never had blisters. The welt has significantly gone down, but the red dots are still there and are super sensitive, especially if I brush my arm up against something.

I’ve been to three doctors and they all say bug bites, but the random stinging and burning sensation (almost like a rug burn) makes me think shingles. The welt was also warm to the touch at first but not anymore. I’m on a steroid ointment and an antibiotic ointment.

If it is shingles, is it too late for antivirals? How long should this last?

I’m waiting for the biopsy, but I was looking online and someone said it could be Tallon noir. He is a kicker and kicks with his right foot and plants his left foot when he kicks, this is on his left foot. What are your thoughts. Any help would be appreciated. The dermatologist did use a and she said we should just watch it

i was thinking initially that it might be some weird eczema from the recent heatwave here in Illinois, but my mom thinks it could be hands foot and mouth disease and now im really freaked out. i dont have insurance and am not sure what i should do if its something serious 😭 these started just last thursday BEFORE i went thrifting so i dont think i caught it from that. theyre not too itchy just kinda annoying and they come and go somewhat. ask anything youd like im just wanting to figure this out. thank you

I’ve been dealing with this for a long time and it’s driving me crazy.

I’ve seen 2 dermatologists, and both diagnosed me with scabies and prescribed scabies treatment. The problem is, I’ve had scabies before, and this feels completely different. I know what scabies was like for me, and this doesn’t match it.

The itching is extremely intense, especially after sweating. The skin around the groin/scrotum has this white, dry/ashy appearance, and it gets very itchy. It’s on both sides. I’ve attached photos.

I’m not looking for a diagnosis over Reddit—just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience because I’m feeling stuck after seeing two dermatologists.

Thanks in advance.

Bright red mark has appeared on my chest over the past few weeks. Worried as this area is often exposed to sun but I do use SPF every day, however I am prone to moles and have very mole prone fair skin, and am notoriously worried about skin cancer risks. Can anyone advise? The shape is fairly regular and round but there is one darker side.

I am not sure what this is im hoping it is not what i think it is, it suddenly just popped up then i kept biting it because didn’t know what it was and it does burn and tingle here and there and a little bit constantly but just a tad bit can anyone help?

I checked on the mirror it looks more like a bite mark like it is noticeable but nothing fluid like or anything like that , just looks tender.

genital warts yes or no?

She is also developing rashes and reacting to bug bites (we live in the country in the Canadian prairies and have a lot of mosquitoes 🦟 . She also is bruising easily and they take forever to go away.

I’m also going to book her in to see her dr but it’ll be a month wait (free healthcare sucks when your province refuses to match or increase their salaries).

I have had that patch on my finger for at least a year now.

It normally is not open but just a discoloured patch of skin that feels harder than surrounding skin.

Every few months it starts itching like crazy.

And because I apparently then rub it without realizing until the outer skin layer separates into a blister and part of the skin comes off (thus making the open wound in the picture). And only thrn I realize I rubbed and scratched it too much.

Under that skin it feels hard when touching the spot, like an insect bite can feel hard from swelling. Just that it does not feel like one big thing but like it's multiple tiny "swollen" spots under there.

And it does not stop itching! One time there was nearly no skin left on it. And then some day itching stops, it heals over...staying discoloured until it starts itching agsin.

No flaking. No splitting open by itself.

The GP just sais "eczema" and gives a hydrocortisobe cream that does not help at all! Dermatologist all say "we are full, no new patients" so I am in my own with this.

I am slowly going crazy thinking "what if it is csncer and they do nothing until it the finger has to come off or it spreads and I die?!"

I hate to be that guy that posts a full on butt pic but I honestly have no idea what to call this, googling is not really leading me down the right path. I’m a 33yo male and I’ve had darkness right in between where the cheeks sit together for as long as I can remember. I’ve worked nothing but physical jobs since I graduated so I’m on my feet a lot, and I also had a long stint where I would work, come home, lay in bed playing games, sleep, repeat for a good portion of my 20’s. Idk if that’s relevant but it was a really sedentary period of my life (way more active these days). Anyways, just wanted to know what this is called and how I can get clear skin again ✌🏽 thanks

Hi there I have a question for an expert. I want to get this line taken care of, I've read filler is possible ?

I went to a Botox clinic and they said they couldn't do anything about it because it's a high risk spot to inject fillee. They recommended Botox on my forehead which did nothing to change the line. It's pretty deep and seems to keep getting worse. It's been slowly growing over the past 2 years.

I called a local dermatologist but a consultation is non-refundable $250. I don't really want to spend that for them to tell me I need to go see a plastic surgeon because this is a high risk area.

I do understand Botox will help over time to prevent it from getting worse, which I will be doing. But I'm looking for more of a filler type quick fix for now.

I take collagen daily and use tretinoin cream to keep my skin healthy.

This is not the first time I have had something like this. I just woke up, and there are liquid-filled white spots on my upper lip. It feels painless, but there is a little bit of liquid I've wiped from it earlier. It feels bumpy and feels like there is a huge dry patch feeling onto it. Research says it could be perioral dermatitis, irritation, or fordyce spots. I hugely suspect this came from the toothpaste I used last night. I also just recovered from a lip infection 2 weeks ago, and have been using vaseline lip balm only.

On monday, this small "rash" began out of no where. I was itching on my 1 hr drive back home, and took a picture of that rash. (Image 2)

On thursday, it was oozing, so I went to urgent care. Doc said it was impetigo. Told me to come back if it is not getting better at all or if it is getting worse. (image 3 - which are taken 2-3 hrs apart)

Well, I went back today because despite cleaning it the way he told me to (saline and one other antiseptic thingies, then using Muciprone antibiotic cream, and taking Cephalexin 600mg 3x/day), it spready up my thigh, in addition to the area behind knee just worsening. (image 1)

Went to pick up my medicine from pharmacy, who told me that this is not impetigo and that the doctors should have done a skin test or swab test.

The doc from today switched me to Doxycycline and put me on a topical steroid cream...

My question: what is this?! It is spreading up my thigh and is extremely itchy and burning painful intermittently.

I noticed it around Wednesday (second pic) and the most recent is after taking anti allergy pills and creams which seemed to worsen it . I went to get it checked out the first time thursday and thats when i started getting worse.