It is important to note that often new papules and plaques on the body are violaceous. However, lichen planus appears to be yellow-brown on the hands and soles. Also notice the distinct silvery-white sheen of lichen planus on the darker skin tones.
Note how these lichen planus lesions showcase the classical feature of rough scaly patches and the color change of post-inflammatory macules. The distribution varies and may be scattered, clustered, annular, actinic, and linear.
It can take lichen planus months to resolve and will leave gray to brown post-inflammatory macules. It is important to inform the patient that this could take months or longer to fade. Also note the isomorphic response within the two tattoo images shown here.
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Lichen Planus
Contributed by James Heilman, MD
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lichen_Planus_(2).JPG