ASK A DERMATOLOGIST

I have a question strictly about redness in the skin. I have redness more around my nose and on my cheeks. Is there a treatment I can do to get rid of it?

All redness is not created equally. If you have any other issues like flakey skin, pimples, or symptoms like itching or burning along with the redness, you should ask your dermatologist to you make a diagnosis. Rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and allergic or irritant contact dermatitis can look red. Sometimes – rarely – it can be more serious. So, have that redness checked. But, yes! If it is just lucky red skin, then we can treat you with intense pulsed light and pulsed dye laser! Some people uses anti-inflammatory creams to help reduce redness too.

How does one get rid of whiteheads? Mostly cheek bones area?

They are called milia – little, white, closed cysts that are just under the skin. If you have just a few, then yes, professional extraction is the easiest thing. If you have a lot, then you need a master plan. Exfoliate daily with a gentle exfoliator, use a retinoid at night, have one good chemical peel with your doctor or a resurfacing treatment, and be sure to remove makeup from your skin at night. These can result from sun damage, make up, or injury to the skin. Good luck!

When should you start using more aggressive treatments like AHA’s and peels?

AHA’s and chemical peels are superb in young people with acne, or very, very old people over the age of 30 who need a little help with pigmentation from hormones or fine lines. Peels can be very light to very strong and we love them, but only let a very experienced doctor do them for you.

How do you treat milia? When I look it up it seems more common for newborns but I am referring to milia associated with acne. Any reason why it develops? Thanks!

Milia with acne are actually called closed comedones. They are little cyst under the skin. Open comedones look black because the air oxidises the protein in the cyst thus the dreaded blackheads. Comedones are partly due to a problem with skin turnover, meaning retained skin on the surface, leading to clogged pores and cysts. You should see your dermatologist first to confirm this diagnosis. Then you should come up with a simple routine that can protect, enhance, and troubleshoot! Try to do two chemical peels a year and use non-comedogenic products to maintain your perfect skin!

RELATED POST

COMMENTS