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Anti Aging And Skin Care

How Can Blemishes On The Cheek Be Removed And My Nose Repaired By Plastic Surgery?

October 3, 2009

in Anti Aging And Skin Care

Q. I have pot holes on my right cheek and I think this is because of pimples. Due to this, while speaking, the skin on the right cheek goes inside. Is it possible to bring it to the same level as the left cheek? Also, my nose is bigger at the tip; is it possible to make it small? If any surgery is required please give information about the cost.

A. It is possible to correct improve the blemishes referred to by you. The pot holes are corrected by dermabrasion or laser resurfacing and the nose can be reduced by rhinoplasty. You should consult a plastic surgeon regarding the cost as it may vary from US $ 1,000 to 2,000.
 

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How Safe Is Microdermabrasion?

October 3, 2009

in Anti Aging And Skin Care

Q. How safe is microdermabrasion? I am 27 years old and have had it done 5-6 times on my face. The complexion has become even but darker than before. What should be the frequency and should I continue with it?

A. Microdermabrasion is quite a safe procedure but the following adverse effects can occur: (i) The face will be red immediately afterwards but this can be covered with make-up and the redness fades within 24 hours. (ii) The material used is A12o3 (in various forms known as corundum, white fused alumina or bauxite), which is non-toxic on ingestion, is not associated with adverse skin contact reactions and is not known to cause cancer. The precautions are: (i) Avoid the use of certain topical agents such as glycolic acids, alpha-hydroxy acids and Retin-A for a few days before microdermabrasion treatment. (ii) Patients who present with certain facial skin disorders may be advised not to pursue treatment, e.g. acne rosacea or even facial telangiectasia. (iii) If a patient experiences red streaking from the treatment because of overintense strokes or a very sensitive skin, the patient should cease further treatment until the redness has subsided fully. (iv) Patients with signs of a sunburn should not be treated. I personally follow the following guidelines: (i) Each treatment takes from 30 minutes to an hour. (ii) The number of treatments recommended for maximal results can range between 5 and 12 spaced 2-3 weeks apart. (iii) Maintenance of the results requires periodic repeat treatments after the initial regimen is complete. You can use a good sunscreen or avoid excessive sun exposure to prevent darkening of the complexion. ‘These precautions are more important immediately after this procedure.

 

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How Are Black Circles Around The Eyes Treated?

October 3, 2009 Anti Aging And Skin Care

Q. I have a problem of a black-eye ring around the eyes and eyebrows. The doctors here in Bellary district say that I have hyperpigmentation on the face and they advised application of UVA-B sunscreen cream on the face. At present, I am applying the sunscreen UVA-B SF of Dr Reddy’s. Will there be any side-effects in the long-term? After applying the cream the brown colored patches on the nose and the cheek seem to be disappearing. But my problem of black-eye ring persists. Since I have a fair complexion, anybody seeing my face thinks that my eyes are tired. Though I am physically healthy, I feel tired when working with computers. Please advise or prescribe something to overcome this problem. What steps should I take so that my work is not hampered? Please also advise me regarding sunscreens or any other means through which the hyperpigmentation problem could be solved permanently.

A. Every drug is likely to produce some side-effects. The topical preparation you are using is quite safe. It takes time to get rid of hyperpigmentation of the face. Without proper examination and without knowing your condition, I cannot suggest any kind of treatment. Please consult a dermatologist. Protection from sunlight and getting a good night’s sleep may help.
 

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What Is The Cause For Black Marks On The Skin And Hair Loss?

October 3, 2009 Anti Aging And Skin Care

Q. My daughter is 5 years old. She is getting marks like mosquito bites which later turn black all over her body. She is also losing her hair while combing.

A. I can well understand your anxiety at seeing those marks. I with the limited information provided by you, can advise the following: The marks could well be mosquito bites. We call it papular urticaria. They are most often on the legs and other uncovered areas such as the forearms and face but sometimes they are scattered in small groups all over the body. Papular urticaria is thought to be an allergic reaction to insects in the environment. Often, after a few years the person becomes desensitized to these insects and the reaction dies down. It is difficult not to scratch the spots, which become crusted and may get infected. The spots seem to remain for a few days to a few weeks and can leave persistent marks or scars, especially if they have been scratched deeply. Hair loss while combing could well be a normal phenomenon. Losing 50-100 hair per day is no cause for alarm. It could well follow high fever, severe infection, severe flu, other illnesses, and can occur 3-4 months after any such episode. My advice to you would be not to lose sleep over hair loss if your child is otherwise healthy. Go to a reputed dermatologist in your area to get proper treatment as without seeing the patient we can only give you the probable diagnosis, which mayor may not be correct.
 

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Do Chickenpox Scars Lead To Keloid Formation?

October 3, 2009 Anti Aging And Skin Care

Q. My 10′year-old daughter has chickenpox and was undergoing homeopathic treatment. Now she has no symptoms of fever, weakness or anything except several big black spots all over the body and 2-3 black spots on the chest. There is an itching sensation and mild pain on the scars. Kindly let me know if any test is required or there is a possibility of any future complication. Could it be keloids after the chickenpox? What are the treatment options?

A. Following chickenpox, pigmented spots may remain for a few weeks to a few months. If the chickenpox lesions were infected, while healing they may form excess scar tissue or a keloid. I think it would be best to see a skin specialist who, after examining your daughter, will be able to guide you. If keloids have formed then the skin specialist may like to use some local treatment which may help.
 

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How To Manage Keloids And Could They Turn Cancerous?

October 3, 2009 Anti Aging And Skin Care

Q. I had a keloid infection, which was controlled after taking Phexin 250 g tablets 4 times daily for 14 days. Is there any chance of infection in the future? What is the preventive treatment and what is possible for the itching and contraction? Is there any possibility of a keloid turning cancerous?

A. First of all, the term keloid infection is inaccurate, what you might mean is that you have an itchy scar which is slightly elevated which we medically call a keloid. Occasionally, scars enlarge spontaneously to form firm, smooth, hard growths called keloids. Keloids may be uncomfortable or itchy, and may be much larger than the original wound. It is not known why keloids appear. While most people never form keloids, others develop them after minor injuries, even insect bites or pimples. Keloids may form on any part of the body, although the upper chest and shoulders are especially prone to them. Dark-skinned people form keloids more easily than light-skinned people. Once keloids form they stay permanently at the same site and they can be infected only if the patient scratches them till there is bleeding or they get exposed after -injury. So the chances of reinfection are remote till anyone of the above two scenarios takes place. The chances of cancer developing, though documented, are extremely rare practically nil. The treatment modalities available are: corticosteroid injection, repeated every few weeks (practical); cryotherapy (practical); pressure dressings (practical); silicone gel dressings (practical); self-adhesive polyurethane scar reduction patches, pulsed dye laser (costly!); surgical excision, which may result in a second keloid even larger than the original one, should not be done!

 

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What Is The Treatment For Hypertrophic Keloids?

October 3, 2009 Anti Aging And Skin Care

Q. My 14-year-old daughter burnt her arm at the joint of the forearm and upper arm when she was 3 years old. She developed a post-burn keloid at the site. When she was 11 we became conscious of this rather unusually large scar. We consulted a dermatologist who started with cryotherapy. We persisted with it for some time with infrequent visits and also tried silica gel on his recommendation. But the progress was very slow, therefore, two weeks back, the dermatologist decided to inject 10 mg Tricort into the scar. After a fortnight, another dose of 10 mg Tricort was given to her. But we learnt that Tricort is a kind of steroid, so we were concerned about the possible side-effects. Can we give this to our 1.4-year-old daughter and for how long?

A. The best treatment for hypertrophic scars or keloids is compression therapy by massage or using pressure garments, silicone sheets or injection Kenacort locally in low doses (e.g. 10 mg) every 3-4 weeks. If all these fail, one can consider surgery. Your dermatologist is a qualified person, please have faith in your doctor. Healing is greatly influenced by belief and compliance with the doctor’ 5 treatment, so do what he says.
 

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Why Has My Skin Become Black After Application Of Melanocyl?

October 3, 2009 Anti Aging And Skin Care

Q. I suffered from herpes 12 years ago. The disease left white patches on my back. All this time I wore suits so there was no problem. But now I have to wear sarees so I went to the skin doctor, who gave me an ointment to apply on the affected areas. The application has made the condition worse, my skin is black as if it is burnt. The ointment was melanocyl. Now the doctor has given me eukroma. What should I do?

A. You seem to have had a reaction called phototoxic reaction to melanocyl application. Just apply any steroid cream such as Flucort-H and it will subside. Once this happens just treat the post-inflammatory hypopigmentation caused by the herpes by applying the same cream.
 

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Can Herpes Scar Marks Be Cured?

October 3, 2009 Anti Aging And Skin Care

Q. Are herpes scar marks curable?

A. Herpes marks are usually very discreet but sometimes may be deep. They are usually spread over a wide area where they are not amenable to excision. But they can definitely be improved upon with the use of a combination of lasers, dermabrasion or chemical peels. But all this depends on where exactly the scars are present on the body and how deep they are.
 

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Can Wound Scars Be Removed By Plastic Surgery?

October 3, 2009 Anti Aging And Skin Care

Q. My feet were wounded when a rocket hit our house 13 years ago. There are unsightly marks on the injured area. I want them to be removed and my foot to come back to its shape. The bones are all right, only the flesh needs plastic surgery. How long do I need to stay in the hospital? How much will it cost?

A. There are two lines of treatment available to the patient and which one to choose depends on the amount of soft tissue padding present on the bones.

(i) If there is a sufficient amount of fat on the bone to act as a good padding, then only a free split-skin graft would provide a satisfactory result.

(ii) However, if there is no padding on the bone, then a multistaged tube pedicle may be required. The duration of treatment and cost depends on the type of procedure undertaken.

 

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