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Alopecia ruining my skin?
I've had alopecia for a couple years now. Recently, I noticed dark spots on the side of my face and under my eyes. I checked old pictures with me with AA/AT and they weren't on my face. Even pictures with early AU. To me it kind of looks like hyperpigmentation. Could AU cause this or something similar? Is anyone else here experiencing the same thing or was? If so, how can I get the spots off my face? Is it treatable or curable and is it gonna be hard to get rid of?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Patricia on
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The perimeter of my face is dark. I have scarring alopecia and have shaved my head. At first, I thought it was due to the sun. Now you have me concerned. Can't wait to read other responses. Thanks for posting this.
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Permalink Reply by basilica on
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I too have Alopecia, mine through the years has morphed into universals but it does cycle through different degrees of this, and also have had hyperpigmentation on my face. The darker splotch started when I was pregnant with my second child, believed it to be an effect of the pregnancy, had my baby and the area on my forehead went away.This slightly darker area returned with each subsequent pregnancy bur after my last child who is now five it stuck around for a couple years, it was barely noticeable to others but I knew it was there, when I would go in the sun it would definitely get worse so of coarse I stay out of the sun as much as possible. I find it interesting we have both experienced this.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah Reade, MD on
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Alopecia areata and all it's variants are autoimmune diseases.It is seen in combination with other autoimmune disease.The term used is "Polyautoimmune Syndrome." There are several combinations possible. Of importance, regarding increased pigmentation of the skin. This can be one of the signs of Adrenal Insufficiency. If adrenal insufficiency is not diagnosed, there can be lethal complications. I think a visit to an Endocrinologist would be appropriate. Family physicians are more likely to order a shotgun of lab tests. Endocrinologists can order more specific test and make the diagnosis more precisely. Increased pigmentation should not be ignored!
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Permalink Reply by Keith on
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Check with your derm if you have concerns. It might just be a part of getting older. There are some spots you get as you get older; they call thdm age spots. Age spots are sun damage. Freckles are sun damage. They might have been there before, just not at the surface. Your derm will probably tell you to make sure you wear a high SPF sunscreen. If they are sun damage, there are things you can do, from OTC products to Rx skin bleaching products to laser.
But I suggest you ask your derm in case they are something different. I've noticed darker spots, but they are sun damage, and I've had my derm help me get rid of them, and I faithfully use an SPF 50 everyday, rain or shine.
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Patricia, I too have scarring alopecia and shave my head. I have little hair left, but you can see where it is. The skin affected by the scarring alopecia lost pigmentation, so it's white as can be (and will never tan now). Where the hair isn't affected it is my natural skin color.
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When I don't shave my head, it looks so funny. There is fuzz is some places and smooth as a baby's behind in others. And, that fuzz is gray!
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Permalink Reply by Jean on
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When I was diagnosed with AU, I was sent to an endocrinologist. He explained to me that (after a blood test) that I also had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, also an autoimmune disorder. One of the many symptoms is vitiligo and other skin disorders.
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Permalink Reply by marybeth on
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i too have both autoimmune disorders, my aa started in nov, 2013 and by sept 2014 i have lost all my hair, eyebrows,eyelashes, have had shots in my head, tried the cream and another soluyion, nothing seems to be working for me, the endocrynologist doesn't think the hair will grow back. i have come to terms with my situation, i can deal with having to wear a wig but i have a really hard time dealing with no eyebrows or eyelashes.
MaryBeth
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Hi Marybeth!
I was in the same situation as you, my eyelashes and eyebrows are the hardest, I recommend to try the permanent make up, at least for me it works perfect. I did the natural hair strokes on my eyebrows and it looks beautiful, in regards my eyelashes what I always do is to apply creamy eyeliner and create a cateye effect so it doesn't look bad. The only thing you have to do it all the time.
You can try: http://alopeciabeautytips.blogspot.com/
and
http://www.youtube.com/user/alopeciabeautytips/videos
I hope it helps!
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Being fair skinned never associated the hyper pigmentation with my AA but definitely have dry flacks skin, maybe from the shot and rogain. Yes it's treatable. A fairly new treatment is called Levulan Blue Light therapy (photo dynamic therapy). Went to get a laser treatment for my ldark spots and they recommended the Levulan, because the pigmentation was too deep btw they didn't do the blue light therapy. Not a lot of dermatologist are certified to do this therapy, so yo might have to look hard and travel. Was originally developed as an Acne treatment but doctors soon found out it is fantastic at clearing pigmentation, redness and smoothing blotchy skin. Fairly cheap, mine cost $350 and takes about 1 1/2, mostly waiting. Takes 5 minutes to put the Levulan on, then under blue light for 45 minutes. It is about 3-4 deeper then a laser and targets precancerous actinic keratoses. Follow the aftercare exactly. My first 3 days were hell, like a severe sunburn, of course I didn't stay out of all light for 24 hours as required. Thought since only 1 hour to sundown it was ok, it wasn't!
Takes 2-3 months to realize the full effects but it's fantastic. Pigmentation,redness and blotches gone. Added bonus was my skin was so smooth and my occasional acne disappeared. Been 2 years and just recently did I get my first pimple. Might be time for a tuneup. -
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Is this product good for general redness on the face? I have some form alopecial (over 20 yrs) My skin is red, in places, not too much hyper pigmentation. I tried expensive laser txs, but due to prednisone usage, not effective. It is so frustrating to have Alopecia, I was just wondering if Levluan would work to just even out my skin? Wasted $700 on non effective laser treatments laurenseav
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