Expert: Jim B - 8/25/2008

Question
Hi Jim,
I have a quick question regarding scars I have on my nose. I had cold and I ended up applying tiger balm which I am not sure if you are aware of. I ended up applying extra quantity all over my nose, due to which the skin on both sides on my nose is burnt. This was like 6 months ago. I was told that it will fade off but now all i see are the dark brown marks on my nose which is really disgusting. Since the skin on my nose is burnt, everyday after shower I have this dry skin coming out all over my nose all day long which is really disgusting as I work for an investment bank and I need to face my clients on daily basis. This is really becoming a problem for me. I feel really weird when I am on dates with the dry skin popping all over my nose. Please help me. This is really making me feel nervous when I am at work place or dates I go to.

Thanks

Answer
Hi Mah,

This is tough to answer without seeing the problem, but I'll give it a try. Most things like Tiger balm use a capsicum based ingredient which is essentially red pepper. While this provides the sensation of heat it does not really make any heat and while irritating it rarely causes a chemical burn. This suggests that you are one of those folks sensitive to it which caused the problem. The stuff essentially killed off the epidermis and slightly damaged the dermis under it. The brown skin you see now is the first effortof the dermis to protect itself and will go away as it flakes off. Six months seems like a long time but depending on the depth of the damage it can take double that time for the dsark skin to become a memory instead of a fact. If the skin is cracking and flaking off that is good as long as the skin under it is normal. If it is cracking and bleeding or raw underneath it needs a different sort of care. If the latter is the case we need to be moisturizing the skin with a product like mederma. We also need to understand that there is a lot more healing to do before giving up that darker protective skin!

If it is flaking and leaving normal skin, even if more than usually sensitive, that is not all bad and may be speeded up with the very light use of a facial scrub or a series of very light dermabrasion treatments. EMPHASIS ON VERY LIGHT!

Do not use skin lighteners or skin bleaches as they will not work and will make things worse. Likewise lasers will not help and will also make things worse.


You might check with a dermatologist and get him/her to evaluate the skin and see what is the best course of action.

Hope this helps!

Jim