Several years ago I had laser resurfasing on my face. While everything was okay at the beginning, I now have patches where there is little or no pigment. I cannot be seen without makeup and it's really a pain trying to cover this up. Someone has told me that V tar will restore my pigment and I'm wondering if anyone has used this. I know it requires a doctor's prescription but that's all I know about it. Please help with any info! Thanks

I've never heard of v tar. I would research it carefully before doing anything and be sure that it is worth the risk. Many medications are worth the risk if the risk is uncommon enough but you have to decide. Did you go back to the person who did the procedure and is this what they recommend?

__________________

The plastic surgeon has since retired and I think I may go to a dermatologist for an opinion. My guess is that he hasn't heard of this. I think there is only one compounding pharmacy that makes this in New York. I can't find much info about this product except that it is used for vitilligo. You are certainly right in that it should be approached with caution----anymore surprises I do not want!!

This is the best I could come up with. I suspect you would need to research how damaging or healing coal tar might be.

V-tar is a crude coal tar product that has been formulated to be water soluble, so it won't stain skin. It is applied once a week, left on for 5-6 hours (or overnight), then removed. Users must avoid sun exposure for 72 hours after treatment. Sun exposure is not required for treatment with V-tar, making it attractive to those who prefer to minimize the contrast between normal skin and vitiligo, as well as those who are unable to use light therapy due to other conditions. V-tar can be used by anyone, including children.

Vitiligo Support International - Vitiligo Topical Therapies

V Tar Liquid RX (30% whole coal tar) made by Dermasave Labs in Pleasant Valley, NY.

Apparently, it takes at least 3 months to see any results. It does not help everyone. This is all I gleaned from other health forums.

__________________
-
- Jim
"A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he gets to know something." �Wilson Mizner

Most tars are suspected to cause cancer.




Vtar is made from whole tar coal, and it's listed here under "Mixtures."


See ACS :: Known and Probable Human Carcinogens

YIKES! Thanks JfH and Cookie for your information. This is beginning to sound like a last resort thing to do.....cancer causing (maybe), that's scary . Also sounds like the results are pretty iffy. I've also read that laser can sometime restore pigment if that is what caused it's loss. That sounds weird but I must see the dermatologist and ask some questions. Thanks again!

One thing for sure, all dermatologists are not created the same. See if you can find one that does laser work and they will likely be best to advise you.

Hi Marilyn! It sounds like I have the same problem as you :-( I just wanna see if you have gotten any tips and if so, what did you do and how did it go? I hope it all went well!! :-) //Cheers
Posted via mobile

I had a neighbor friend years ago who had vitiligo....on face, arms, etc. She hated it of course
and was so embarrassed she didn't even want/let her 2nd husband see her without makeup.
I think she took some shots or some kind of oral medication to try to fill in the light spots/areas.
It helped some but not all the way. I think she finally gave it up when hubby finally convinced her
he loved her anyway. First hubby was an mean A**hole & made fun of her. She & 2nd hubby have
been happy for over 20 years now.

__________________
May you always have..Love to Share, Health to Spare, and Friends that Care!

Hi Marlin, Well, I've done nothing except a little blending with cosmetics! One benefit from having the laser re-surfacing is that I have more collagen!! The plastic surgeon who did the procedure said that it would "put down" collagen and that it would be better and lasting (words to that effect). This has certainly been true as my cheeks feel nice and plump. Ny whole face is lighter than my neck with the lightest places being along the jawline and above my upper lip. Really, I think a lot can be done with some mineral makeup---even for guys!!! Very un-detectable. I've also been reading about astaxanthin and some say that after using it they have such a nice tan look to their skin. While I do take it in pill form I'm wondering if you can get it in a skin cream.............? Maybe ther results were from the pill form, I don't know.

I've used DermaE facial creams for normal moisturizing, with good results. They have some products with astaxanthin that you may want to consider.

https://www.dermae.net/cgi-bin/fccgi....id=1585565447A

__________________
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanual Kant~

NatMedTalk and Beyond
PetForums

Thanks, Kind, I just ordered the Age defying night cream (Derma E) from Swanson Vitamins for $26.47 and only $1.99 shipping! It sounds like a good product!

Hi Marilyn, I too had laser resurfacing and have been left with extensive white patches on my cheeks. I have been wearing camoflauge make-up for 7 years bit as you said it is not ideal and a real pain having to keep covering up and blending in to disguise demarcation lines! I wondered if you have found any success with anything? The make-up I use is Dermablend and also Dermacolour. They are excellent, but it takes ages to get the desired result! I would be really grateful of any tips you may have...thanks in advance..

Hi Lotty, Welcome to the forum! First, I moisturize then use Maybelline Super Stay Makeup which does have very good coverage and goes on easily. I then do a light dusting of Mary Kay mineral foundation (any mineral foundation would work, I'm sure), followed by blush, etc. I think the mineral powder foundation further sets the liquid makeup. I don't try to blend the whiter areas, just do the whole face, matching the makeup color to my neck. This really does have good staying power and doesn't take much time. I did try the Dermablend many years ago and it does have good coverage but maybe a little harder to work with.......it probably has been improved since then. Good luck!

Thanks so much for your reply Marilyn. I will definitely try the Maybelline make-up. I wondered if you had any success with a 'cure' for the white patches? Did you try the V Tar treatment? After 7 years I feel very disheartened as to finding an answer to this problem. My dermatologist says he has never seen a response like mine to laser resurfacing! He then signed me off! Not very helpful. I feel very self-conscious to show anyone the extent of the damage. No-one, except the Dermatologist, an ex-boyfriend (no wonder he's an ex!) and myself have seen the full extent of the de-pigmented marks. I'm sure you will understand the feeling! You go to have one problem resolved and end up with a further problem!!! I would really appreciate it if you hear of any 'cures' for this problem, and I will post any treatment I hear of. The good thing is that I have read that the pigment can come back spontaneously or the melanin can be stimulated by sunlight. It's just after 7 years this doesn't seem to have happened - YET! Thanks again for the make-up tips. Very much appreciated.