Hypopigmentation on penis shaft from cryotherapy due to HPV

[MedicalHelpUser2018]

5 weeks ago I discovered a single 1" x 0.5" wart on the superior base of my penis shaft about 1" away from the pubic region. Very shocking since I have been married and monogamous for 10 years (and we haven't even had sex in 2 years...). One GP insisted that "it doesn't present as a wart", however another dermatologist said it "definitely is a wart", however, "it may not be sexually transmitted" (which is even more gross when I think about it!).

I have had a few cryotherapy treatments and the wart seems to be resolving nicely. I had my last freezing 3 days ago and so it is still healing. I also had the Gardasil 9 vaccine as a precaution.

My issue is that it has left me with significant hypopogmentation over the treated area. I am Caucasian with fair-to-olive skin and I tan very easily, but my penile skin is quite a bit darker than the rest of my body. I am wondering if there is a way to reverse this hypopigmentation to any degree.

I know that there is a difference between temporary post-inflammatory hypopigmentation (which tends to resolve over time), and permanent hypopigmentation (which occurs due the destruction of the melanocytes), so I need to wait until the wound has completely healed before making any final judgements.

I have read that topical hydrocortisone is often used to treat hyopigmentation in vitiligo patients, but if used improperly can lead to more serious side effects such as atrophy-- especially in a thin-skinned area such as the penis shaft. Thankfully, the affected area is far away from any "pleasure zones".

I have an appointment with a dermatologist in 2 weeks but I would like to go in armed with some more knowledge. The original dermatologist who recommended cryotherapy didn't even bother to tell me hypopigmentation would be a side effect.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[purple1234567]

The hypopigmentation is a common side effect of cryotherapy- it can be temporary or it can be more permanent, as you mentioned- only time will really tell.  I'm willing to bet that as you heal, you will notice it less and less and likely it will go away all together.  There are plenty of topical creams and 'treatments' that they say will help, but as far as what your doctor will recommend for such a sensitive part of the body, I'm not sure.  

Some more common 'home remedies' that you can talk to your doctor about trying would be things like aloe vera, rose hip oil, or lemon juice- I think there may be more out there, but those are the ones I'm aware of.  

[MedicalHelpUser2018]

Thanks for the encouragement. I really appreciate it. :-)

[MedicalHelpUser2018]

I just wanted to follow up on this. The hypopigmented area seems to be gradually recovering a bit of color. That said, I doubt it will ever be fully restored.

[Notsure312]

Is it pink or completely void of color?