I can't wear shorts because of pigmentation on my legs. Is there a solution?

Hello. The weather has gotten much hotter, so the season to wear shorts is approaching.

I am posting this because I am deeply worried about the condition of my leg.
Last winter, my legs were very itchy because the weather was so dry.

I should have taken proper care of my skin's moisture back then, but because I kept touching and scratching it, my skin condition worsened significantly.

As you can see in the attached photo, severe red and dark pigmentation remains around the scratched area.
Not long ago, a colleague in the office saw my legs and was shocked, asking me what was wrong. Hearing that made me more self-conscious about how others perceive me, so I can't bring myself to wear shorts this year.

Can I get rid of this existing pigmentation at home using ointment or cream?

Or is professional treatment like dermatological laser treatment essential?

If anyone has had a similar experience or knows of an effective management method, please let me know. I would really appreciate your help!