It can be very difficult to predict how severe sunburns will heal, particularly since the depth of such burns can vary considerably, and different skin types heal in different ways.
You will probably notice an area of decreased pigmentation once the damaged superficial layers of the skin slough off. Over time, the pigmentation usually begins to slowly return. It may take as long as a year, however, for healing to be complete, and for the final result to be apparent.
Sincerely/ Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS
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