What is the cause of jawline acne?

Acne along the jawline is sometimes called hormonal acne. All acne has a hormonal component, but this can be a more prominent feature of those who get it in the jawline. It can be common, for example, in people with polycystic ovaries (PCOS).

I've had keratosis pilaris on my upper arms for as long as I can remember. It's more annoying than it is embarrassing. Is there really no way to get rid of it?

Keratosis pilaris, also known as goosebump skin, is when keratin builds up in your hair follicles, causing little plugs. It is super common, and many people do grow out of it. There is nothing you can do to cure it, but to help minimise it, try body washes and moisturisers with urea or salicylic acid.

I was recently diagnosed with alopecia areata. It started as one bald spot three years ago, but now there are bald spots everywhere. It has become impossible to cover up. I found a dermatologist who gave me my first steroid injections but the bald spots seem to be getting bigger, and I have more of them. Any suggestions?

We are so sorry to read about what you’re going through. Unfortunately, we don’t have a cure for alopecia areata, which is thought to be an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the hair follicles. Steroid creams, injections, or pills can sometimes help, and in a minority of people, so does Rogain. Certain dermatology centres have access to specialised medications or clinical trials, but as of yet, we do not have many very effective options. It can be a very traumatic process, so patient support groups can be extremely valuable. There are also some good camouflage options if you want to give yourself a break from hats, such as hair fibre powders and sprays.

How can I cover up the really dark places under my eyes? I also have a lot of very small patches of dried flaky skin that lotion doesn't help.

There are so many causes of dark circles: the shadows created by eye anatomy, thin skin and underlying veins, and genetics. The best treatment will really depend on each individual case, but some general tips are using an eye cream with caffeine and brightening ingredients during the day, sunscreen, and concealer. Regarding the flakiness, the area is prone to irritation and allergies, so it’s worth asking your doctor what could be causing it.