I have a skin condition called idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (IGH) or small spots that appear on skin that has had chronic sun exposure (usually shins and forearms but sometimes the chest and back as well). I’m very conscious of it, do you by any chance know of any treatment?

Hi, this is a tricky one as I understand that IGH is a kind of hypopigmentation – where the skin develops pale patches that are lacking in pigmentation – and there is not a great deal that can be done for hypopigmentation.

It’s a benign condition, ie it’s not going to cause any harm, and it’s pretty common – one source I found in a quick scramble around the internet reckoned that almost 90% of people over 40 showed some signs of this and I know I’m one of them.

Having said that, I know it’s bothering you a good deal. But as to what can be done… I’m not a doctor and am sure you have already found online the dermnet.nz website which is brilliant on the detail of all things dermatological.

They suggest that some topical treatments like retinoids or clinical treatments like skin peels or excimer laser might be helpful – and sun protection, covering up the skin where possible and using broad-spectrum sunscreen is a must.

However, I also asked a leading laser practitioner (Dr Asif Hussein) about potential treatment for IGH and he said he wouldn’t offer treatment to anyone with this condition as it was very unlikely to make any difference – because when the melanin-producing cells in skin are no longer there, it is not possible to stimulate them into action or achieve re-pigmentation. Sorry.