Q I'm a woman in my 20s who has lived in Dongincheon for a long time. I got scars and hyperpigmentation from scratching. Will these marks disappear with treatment?
A Hyperpigmentation and lichenification from atopic dermatitis gradually fade as the inflammation subsides sufficiently. Hyperpigmentation can take several months to over a year, and deep scratch scars may be difficult to fully remove. Most importantly, preventing further scratching is critical.
Detailed Answer
With repeated scratching in atopic dermatitis, two types of skin changes occur. ①Lichenification — the skin thickens and hardens like leather. When inflammation is sufficiently suppressed, it softens over several months. ②Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) — melanin deposits after inflammation. It usually fades over 6 months to 2 years, but individual variation is great.
Methods to aid recovery: ①suppress inflammation quickly to reduce scratching itself, ②sun protection (prevents worsening of pigmentation), ③maintain skin regeneration environment with moisturizer, ④if needed, combine laser therapy or vitamin C iontophoresis at a dermatology clinic. Deep scratch scars (damage to the dermis layer) are in the realm of scar treatment, so dermatology consultation is needed.
Korean Medicine Perspective
Among external Korean medicine treatments, Mapunggo (麻風膏) and herbal decoction washes are used to aid skin regeneration and reduce hyperpigmentation. Internally, Si-mul-tang and Dangguiyeumja prescriptions that nourish blood-deficiency supply blood and fluids needed for skin regeneration. For severe hyperpigmentation, adding Taoren (桃仁) and Honghua (紅花) to break blood stasis and improve skin circulation are added to the prescription.
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