{"id":12189,"date":"2026-03-11T22:52:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T13:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/topical-steroids\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T09:10:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T00:10:13","slug":"topical-steroids","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/topical-steroids\/","title":{"rendered":"Topical Steroids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-custom-color-4-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e96bc7c8 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:240px;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-small);padding-bottom:240px;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-small)\">\n<p class=\"has-custom-color-6-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\">Medications<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-custom-color-1-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2\">Topical Corticosteroids | Usage Guide to Reduce Hardened and Thickened Skin<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-custom-color-2-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1b17c90e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xlarge);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-small);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xlarge);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-small)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Topical corticosteroids are potent ointments that reduce skin inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, since they have the side effect of thinning the skin, our clinic primarily prescribes them to help recover areas where the skin has become hard or thickened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block has-custom-color-5-color has-custom-color-11-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-3\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-left:0\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#sec-1\">1. Causes and Issues of Lichenification<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#sec-2\">2. Apply only to areas designated during your consultation.<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#sec-3\">3. How to use<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#sec-4\">4. Regularly Reconfirm Application Areas<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#sec-5\">5. When you should stop using it<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#sec-faq\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"sec-1\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Causes and Issues of Lichenification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-custom-color-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-custom-color-5-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Repeatedly scratching and rubbing the same area due to chronic dermatitis can cause the skin to become hard and thick, a condition known as lichenification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In these cases, the skin-thinning side effect of topical steroids can actually be beneficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is because once the skin&#8217;s thickness is normalized with topical steroids, non-steroidal topical agents like calcineurin inhibitors can penetrate better than before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/steroid-lichenification-nape-natural-final.webp\" alt=\"Example image comparing the features and extent of lichenification on the skin on the back of the neck, showing a grayish-brown discoloration and densely thickened skin texture that appears thicker and rougher than the surrounding normal skin\" class=\"wp-image-14024\" title=\"Example image showing the features of lichenification on the skin on the back of the neck\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"sec-2\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Apply only to areas designated during your consultation.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-custom-color-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-custom-color-5-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Please apply topical steroids only to the areas and for the duration specified during your consultation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please do not arbitrarily apply to areas that feel newly hard or thick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"sec-3\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. How to use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-custom-color-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-custom-color-5-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list has-custom-color-5-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4\">\n<li><strong>Apply a thin layer to the designated area once every evening.<\/strong> Do not spread widely onto surrounding normal skin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wash your hands after application.<\/strong> If your hands are the treatment area, do not wash them.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"sec-4\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Regularly Reconfirm Application Areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-custom-color-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-custom-color-5-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While using topical steroids, it is recommended that you visit the clinic periodically to determine which areas to continue applying to and which areas to stop applying to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even before your next visit, please stop using the medication if the hardness and thickness have noticeably decreased and the texture has become similar to the surrounding skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"sec-5\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. When you should stop using it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-custom-color-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-custom-color-5-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/steroid-emergency-brake-analogy-1-EN.png\" alt=\"Infographic of an emergency brake, signifying that topical corticosteroids should be used precisely on necessary lichenified areas.\" class=\"wp-image-4662\" title=\"Topical Corticosteroids: The Emergency Brake\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Topical steroids are safe and useful when used appropriately on the prescribed areas. However, if strong products are used for a long time on large areas or applied repeatedly beyond the necessary scope, the skin can weaken, and telangiectasias, stretch marks, or bruising may appear.<sup><a style=\"color: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33408495\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1<\/a><\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you notice any of the following changes, be sure to stop using it and contact the clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-custom-color-5-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5\">\n<li>Broken capillaries or stretch marks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weeping \u00b7 yellow crusts \u00b7 pus \u00b7 pain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"&#xCC38;&#xACE0;&#xBB38;&#xD5CC;\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list has-custom-color-5-color has-text-color has-link-color has-superbfont-xxsmall-font-size wp-elements-6\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33408495\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Niculet E, Bobeica C, Tatu AL. Glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy: the old and the new. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:1041-1050.   <\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-custom-color-6-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4c3b03bf wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xlarge);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-small);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xlarge);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-small)\">\n<h2 id=\"sec-faq\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-custom-color-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-custom-color-5-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\"\/>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-6430000001\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I apply it to all red areas?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. Apply only to the areas designated during your consultation. Confirm based on hardness, thickness, and rough texture that differs from the surrounding skin, rather than skin color.  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-6430000002\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How many times a day should I apply it?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Apply once every evening. Do not arbitrarily increase the frequency. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-6430000003\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">If skin discoloration remains, should I continue applying?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>No. If the texture resembles the surrounding skin, stop daily application. Red or brown marks may disappear later than the texture.  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-6430000004\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I apply the same medication to newly hardened areas?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Do not apply arbitrarily without a consultation. Even if it looks like lichenification, it could be another skin condition or infection, so the application area must be confirmed first. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-6430000005\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I apply it to my face?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Apply only if prescribed separately for facial use. The face has a high absorption rate, so do not transfer products prescribed for the body to the face. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Medications Topical Corticosteroids | Usage Guide to Reduce Hardened and Thickened Skin Topical corticosteroids are potent ointments that reduce skin inflammation. However, since they have the side effect of thinning the skin, our clinic primarily prescribes them to help recover areas where the skin has become hard or thickened. 1. Causes and Issues of Lichenification [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12190,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-full-width","meta":{"_miragen_jsonld":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-12189","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12189"}],"version-history":[{"count":64,"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12189\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15538,"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12189\/revisions\/15538"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}