OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Concerns About White Patches Following Pico Laser Treatment (24/Female)

9/13/2025, 5:30:21 PMMale25-34

I underwent my second pico laser session to tackle the sun spots on my chest a few weeks ago. Now, approximately three weeks post-treatment, I've noticed numerous white patches appearing in the treated region. Is this a typical occurrence? Will the pigmentation eventually come back? If it does, what is the expected timeframe for this recovery? Thank you!

Thyroid DisordersInternal MedicineEndocrinology

Answers (1)

Cony

9/13/2025, 5:30:41 PM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to be concerned about the white patches following your pico laser treatment; recognition of changes in skin appearance can be unsettling. Here's a brief overview of what you might expect along with actionable steps.

Main Points

  • White patches can be a common response after skin treatments like pico laser.
  • These patches may indicate temporary changes in skin pigmentation, but monitoring is important.

Explanation

After pico laser therapy, it's not unusual for changes in skin color to occur due to the way the laser affects the pigmentation in your skin. The white patches might be a result of post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, which can happen when the skin heals. In many cases, the pigmentation does return gradually, although the timeframe can vary from person to person.

Next Steps

  1. Monitor Changes: Keep a close eye on the white patches. Take photos weekly to document any changes in size or color.
  2. Sun Protection: Ensure you are using a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily to protect your skin and prevent further pigmentation changes.
  3. Moisturize Regularly: Use a gentle, hydrating moisturizer on the treated area to support skin healing.
  4. Avoid Irritants: Steer clear of harsh skincare products or exfoliants in the treated area until the skin fully heals.
  5. Patience: Understand that recovery and returning pigmentation can take anywhere from weeks to several months, varying by individual skin type and healing response.
  6. Follow-up Consultation: If white patches persist beyond a few months or if you notice any worsening symptoms, consider reaching out to your dermatologist for further evaluation.

If you have any more questions or need further clarification about the process, feel free to ask!

Related Questions

Identifying Skin Marks on My Child

My 5-year-old daughter, who has no history of allergies, has developed peculiar skin marks over the past four to five days. Each morning, I observe these blemishes, which mysteriously disappear by the next day, only to reappear in different locations. The majority of these spots are located on her lower back, buttocks, and the back of her thighs, although I've also seen some on her upper back and a single one on her cheek. As an additional note, she began exhibiting mild cold symptoms last night, including a cough, some mucus, and a slight increase in body temperature. To provide further context: she mentioned that the marks are somewhat itchy, but she hasn’t been scratching them excessively.

COPDInternal MedicineEndocrinology
Male25-34
28 minutes ago

Impact of Tegretol Overdose at Age 7

As a woman now in her late thirties, I reflect back on a significant event from my childhood. At just seven years old, I accidentally ingested a large quantity of Tegretol, a medication prescribed to my brother for his epilepsy. Without realizing the danger, I swallowed a handful of those pills and fell asleep on the couch next to my mother. To my surprise, I regained consciousness a week later in a hospital bed. My mother recounted that I had suffered a seizure, at which point she found herself unable to awaken me, leading to a state of coma. Once I awoke, the emotional shift was profound; I transitioned from sadness to experiencing a tumultuous range of feelings. I am now curious about how such an overdose could have impacted my brain function. I attempted to search online for insights but came up empty-handed. Any information or shared experiences related to brain effects from similar situations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Multiple SclerosisInternal MedicineEndocrinology
Male25-34
48 minutes ago

Unexplained Symptoms Over the Past Few Years

Greetings, Around three years ago, I started to experience a variety of symptoms that appeared quite abruptly. They seemed to improve briefly, only to return later. This initial onset threw me into a panic, leading me to suspect something severe, like cancer. After consulting my physician, I underwent tests through a neurologist and had multiple lab analyses, yet no definitive diagnosis emerged. Frustrated by the ongoing uncertainty, I ceased my attempts to find answers and have not revisited the doctor for these issues in years. This situation dates back to approximately 2021, coinciding with my time as a nursing student. While I can't be sure if there's a connection, it was around this period that I contracted COVID-19 for the first time and also received my annual flu shot as part of my nursing curriculum. Additionally, I was treated for melanoma during this time, undergoing a Mohs procedure to eliminate it, which was part of the initial anxiety surrounding my symptoms. Below are the symptoms I’ve documented: The first change I noticed was an unrelenting muscle fatigue. Simple tasks such as carrying groceries or working outdoors left me feeling immensely winded. I began to realize that the muscles in my neck felt excessively weak, and my arms and legs, although still functional, felt distinctly weaker than before. Although I could still perform my usual activities, I often felt unsteady, especially when descending stairs. Shortly thereafter, I began suffering from frequent muscle cramps at night and persistent twitching in my muscles during the day, particularly in my legs. I also observed involuntary movements in the inner arches of my feet, which, while somewhat common, were consistently present and unusual for me. Another concerning symptom was the onset of intermittent blurred vision. This issue varies in intensity, making it particularly troublesome during episodes that seem to flare up, often exacerbated by bright lighting, like that from screens or sunlight streaming through open windows. I found myself increasing the font size on screens and printed material because reading became quite challenging. While I haven’t seen an eye care professional yet, the suddenness of these vision problems caught me off guard. Additionally, I observed a significant size disparity between the muscles in my arms; my left arm appeared noticeably bulkier than my right. As a left-handed individual, I had never paid much attention to this before, though it’s possible it’s been like this for some time. The most perplexing symptom, one that’s been difficult to research, involves my right shoulder area. The deltoid region developed an odd squishy sensation. This prompts me to mention the flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. I’ve found no information on this symptom, and inquiries yield little guidance. Initially, it felt as if a lump had developed beneath my deltoid. Gradually, the entire area became squishy, resembling fibrous, lumpy tissue rather than muscle. In contrast, when I flex my left arm, it feels muscular and firm, whereas the right arm feels substantially softer. This strange condition raises questions—could a flaw in the vaccine administration by classmate healthcare students have contributed to this issue, or is it related to my other unexplained symptoms? As for medical evaluations, my Basic Metabolic Panel and Magnesium levels were unremarkable, as was my Complete Blood Count. Further inflammatory markers including CRP, CK, and ESR all returned normal results. My hemoglobin A1c was towards the high end of normal but did not classify as pre-diabetic. Autoimmune tests yielded no significant findings, and a nerve conduction study did not reveal any abnormal results either. The results from an EMG suggested mild increased insertional activity in several tested muscles, though it was deemed possibly normal, yet it might indicate an EMG disease. Unfortunately, I was unable to undergo MRI imaging due to insurance challenges at that time. I am a 42-year-old male with no significant past medical history beyond the prior melanoma and not currently using medication, aside from over-the-counter Benadryl for sleep issues. Apologies for the detailed narrative, but I felt this could be a valuable forum for seeking perspectives. I appreciate your time. It’s important to clarify that I am not prone to hypochondria; prior to these developments, I rarely sought medical care and, oddly enough, didn’t even have a primary care provider when these symptoms began.

FibromyalgiaThyroid DisordersInternal Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Young Plumber with Herniated Discs Seeks Guidance

Greetings, medical professionals. I am a 17-year-old plumber who has dedicated the past two years to this trade, beginning when I was just 15. About two years ago, I was involved in a car accident that led to the discovery of three herniated discs: one located in my upper back, while the other two are situated in the mid to lower back region. While it's possible that these injuries stemmed from the accident, I suspect they might not be entirely related. Interestingly, disc problems seem to be common in my family. I'm concerned about my prospects moving forward. What can I expect in terms of health as I age, especially regarding these injuries? Moreover, how can I prevent a situation where I may struggle with mobility in my 50s or 60s? For some time, my pain subsided, but recently, I've started to experience discomfort again in the mid to lower back area, reminiscent of what I felt initially. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

ArthritisCOPDInternal Medicine
Male25-34
1 hour ago

Inquiry Regarding FDG-PET Scan Findings

I recently underwent an FDG-PET/CT scan for my brain to investigate some cognitive difficulties I've been experiencing. Although the report is now available on My Chart, my follow-up appointment with the doctor is scheduled for three weeks from now. I have a query regarding the standard deviation scale presented in the report, which lists values from -2 to -4.6. What does the lowest value signify? Is the scale graded on a 1-5, 1-10, or perhaps 1-100 basis? I appreciate your assistance with this! Notable regions noted for decreased metabolic activity include: - Left Inferior frontal gyrus, triangularis: SD "4.6" - Left Heschl gyrus: SD "3.8" - Left Superior temporal gyrus: SD "3.6" - Left Middle temporal gyrus: SD "3.4" - Left Supramarginal gyrus: SD "2.6" - Left Inferior parietal lobule, supramarginal area: SD "2.1" Other areas displaying low metabolism are: - Right Superior frontal gyrus, medial: SD "3.2" - Left Superior frontal gyrus, medial: SD "2.2"

Thyroid DisordersInternal MedicineEndocrinology
Male25-34
1 hour ago