Why do my old leg scars stay for years, and will they fade?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 19 and have a lot of scars on my legs that have been there for years, ever since I was a kid. My parents keep telling me it is because my blood is dirty from eating sweets, but I do not think that is true. Sometimes I even worry if it is something like diabetes in my blood. A lot of the marks originally came from insect bites, like mosquitoes or fleas. I have been using Vitamin E lotion to try.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for sharing this with me. I understand how frustrating and embarrassing it can feel to have scars on your legs for so many years, especially when you do not fully know why they appeared.

Please know this clearly:

These marks are not caused by dirty blood, eating sweets, or anything related to diabetes. That is a common myth. Most scars like yours come from old insect bites, mosquitoes, fleas, or small wounds that were scratched. When the skin is irritated or inflamed, it can heal with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can last for months or even years.

Vitamin E lotion moisturizes the skin, but it will not fade pigmentation on its own. You will need specific ingredients that target dark marks. Do not worry, I will guide you once I get more details.

To help you properly and suggest the safest and most effective plan, I need a little more information:

Please tell me:

Are the marks flat, raised, or slightly dented?
Do you still get new insect bites?
Your skin tone (fair, medium, brown, deep).
Are the spots itchy or just dark?
Any history of diabetes (a chronic condition where the body has trouble regulating blood sugar), eczema (a common, non-contagious skin condition causing dry, itchy, red, and inflamed skin, often appearing in skin folds like inner elbows and behind knees, with symptoms flaring up due to genetics, environmental triggers, and a compromised skin barrier), asthma (a chronic lung disease where airways become inflamed, narrowed, and produce excess mucus, causing symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, often triggered by allergens, exercise, or infections), or skin conditions in you or your family?

If possible, please share a clear picture of the marks.

Meanwhile, you can start with: A non-comedogenic moisturizer containing

Ceramides.
Hyaluronic acid.
Glycerin.

These help repair and protect the skin barrier.

Apply sunscreen to the legs when outdoors (SPF 30, also known as sun protection factor 30 or higher) to prevent the marks from getting darker.

I hope this answers your query.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.