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You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | can stressful events (divorce death of a parent etc. ) actually age my skin? | stress has effects on our skin nails and hair. also if you have an underlying skin condition such as psoriasis eczema or acne stress can make it worse. furthermore stressed facial expressions contribute to expression lines like the 11 wrinkle between your eyebrows and those around your eyes and mouth. learning how to effectively manage stress helps keep your skin looking younger and also you’ll feel better overall. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | are there any age-advancing toxins in the chemicals that i use to clean my home? | protecting your skin from cleaning chemicals in your home is an important and healthy step for your skin. toxins can cause irritation and breaks in the skin that can lead to infection. for that reason protect your skin with gloves when dealing with chemicals. if toxins accidentally come in contact with your skin rinse off immediately. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | should i be applying moisturizer to my neck? will that help to prevent neck lines as i age? | neck lines and sagging neck are common complaints. most patients ignore their necks until they notice how aged their necks look. the neck skin is fragile and requires more moisture than the face. just like you moisturize your face you should be moisturizing you neck. you’ll be glad that you did. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | when to eat after insulin injection? also how much to eat after your insulin injection? | the best time to eat after taking insulin depends on three major factors. first the type of insulin you are taking the type of food you are eating and your current blood glucose level. there are two major types of insulin taken before meals rapid acting and short acting. rapid acting insulins include lispro (humalog) insulin aspart (novolog) and insulin glulisine (apidra). it’s generally best to inject these insulins up to 15 minutes before you plan to eat. for the short acting insulins humulin r and novolin r the timing is 30 to 45 minutes prior to the meal. if you wait longer than these times you run the risk of having a low blood glucose level. the type of food also impacts the timing of insulin. carbohydrates have the most effect on glucose levels. meals that are high in fat slow down the absorption of carbohydrates. so eating a pizza which has a lot of fat may not affect your glucose level as quickly as eating a bowl of cereal. protein usually has a small effect on your blood glucose levels. thirdly your blood glucose level prior to eating is important. having a low blood glucose level and then taking insulin and waiting to eat may cause your blood glucose level to drop even further. if your blood glucose level is high before you eat you may need to add extra insulin as recommended by your doctor to compensate for the high blood glucose level. in terms of how much to eat that depends on your weight your dietary needs and your insulin to carbohydrate ratio. this ratio is how many grams of carbohydrates one unit of insulin covers. this is a very individualized number that your doctor will decide when prescribing insulin to you. the important point is to talk with your doctor nurse educator and dietician about the timing of eating and insulin. keep a diary of the different foods you like to eat so that you can gain insight into what happens when you eat that meal. be sure to mark down the grams of carbohydrates in the meal so your doctor can evaluate your insulin to carbohydrate ratio. check your blood glucose level 2 hours after eating to see what effect the meal has on your glucose level. remember that many other factors affect your reaction to insulin such as exercise a cold and stress. diabetes is a chronic disease and the more you understand about the factors affecting you the better your glucose control will become. 15 mins. i think you should have your meal first then straight after take your insulin. then you can work out how much insulin to take depending on how much you ate and also what you ate. bbbb an hr later. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | does sunscreen with an spf over 30 actually work? | spf 30 is effective because it provides protection from both uva and uvb rays. when spf is greater than 30 it should mean that in addition to chemical sunscreens the makers have included titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide which provide physical barriers and are actual sunscreens. irrespective of the spf you’ll need to reapply the sunscreen every 2 hours. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what does it mean if your thyroglobin ab are very high but all the others are normal? and how does that affect the body? . i am wondering if the thyroglobin ab being high could correlate to the weight gain(15+ lbs a month and can't lose it) breast enlargement(2 cup sizes) fatigue and lack of menstration. i have been tested for cancer(negative) and i have no family history of these issues. from the research i have done i cannot find an answer so i am hoping that someone could enlighten me so i would have a stepping stone the next time i went to the doctor about this. | a high thyroglobin antibody level in and of itself does not mean you have thyroid disease. they are found in nearly 20% of all women. however high levels of thyroglobulin antibodies associated with other thyroid antibodies are found in 80 to 90% of people with immune mediated inflammation of the thyroid (hashimoto’s thyroiditis). this is the most common type of thyroid hormone deficiency in the u. s. thyroglobulin antibodies are also found in pregnant women relatives of patients with hashimoto’s thyroiditis and in people with other immune mediated diseases such as type 1 diabetes. the usual course of hashimoto's thyroiditis is gradual loss of thyroid function. antibodies to thyroglobulin are considered to occur as a result of damage to the thyroid from special white blood cells (t cells). common symptoms of thyroid hormone deficiency include fatigue being cold all the time weight gain constipation dry skin and menstrual irregularities. since these symptoms occur in other diseases it is important not to always blame thyroid deficiency as the cause. fortunately laboratory tests for thyroid function make this diagnosis relatively easy. however because loss of thyroid hormone develops over time and antibodies can herald problems you will want to follow-up with your doctor about your thyroid tests and your symptoms. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | does janumet cause weight loss or the opposite? | most helpful answer janumet a medication used in type 2 diabetes causes weight loss. janumet is a combination medication of metformin and sitagliptin. metformin (glucophage) and sitagliptin (januvia) can each be used alone for the treatment of diabetes. janumet is indicated when diet and exercise fail to adequately control diabetes and both metformin and sitagliptin are appropriate. metformin definitely causes weight loss and sitagliptin usually results in weight loss or is weight neutral. a 24-week study that looked at weight loss with janumet found that the amount of weight lost was about the same for patients on metformin alone. during this 24-week study patients lost between 1. 3 to 2. 9 lbs. since weight loss is an important part of the treatment plan for most type 2 diabetics it is very helpful to use a medication that helps you go in the right direction. don’t forget that diet and exercise are still the key ingredients to weight loss. talk with your provider about how you can achieve your weight loss goals and if a medication like janumet is right for you. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | is there a permanent hair removal product available for men? | laser hair removal can be effective and permanent. laser hair removal requires several treatments because the hair grows in different cycles. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what ingredients should you avoid in your makeup if you have sensitive skin? | sensitive skin patients should avoid makeup creams that contain a large amount of preservatives high alcohol content multiple synthetic fragrances or parabens. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | does the use of insulin affect your eyes? | insulin affects your vision because insulin lowers blood glucose levels which in turn effects the lens of the eye not because insulin has a direct effect on your eyes. when your blood glucose (sugar) levels go up fluid enters the lens of your eyes and when your blood glucose goes down the fluid shifts out of your lens. these changes in fluid in the lens cause blurred vision so both high and low blood glucose levels affect your vision. as your blood glucose levels stabilize on insulin these shifts become less and your vision improves. so be patient. in most cases the blurry vision after you start insulin settles down. usually these vision changes resolve within a few days or weeks depending on how quickly your diabetes comes under control. after examining your eyes your doctor will be in good position to hopefully reassure you that these vision changes are temporary. therefore unless you are really having serious vision problems wait until your blood glucose levels settle before having your vision tested for a new pair of glasses. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | can you tell me what causes hair loss on lower legs and calves in men? | there are several reasons for hair loss on the legs. poor circulation may be a factor which can be caused or aggravated by diabetes thyroid disorders peripheral artery disease medications poor diet lack of exercise smoking being overweight and other health issues. to properly diagnose your condition and to rule out a serious condition you need to be evaluated and tested by a physician. it might be worth checking on your 5-alpha reductase level. this is an enzyme that regulates the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (dht). reduced 5-alpha reductase levels can lead to an overabundance of dht which in turn can adversely affect the health of hair follicles and reduce hair reproduction on your legs. pad can cause hairless legs. lack of proper blood circulation is the root of this phenomenon. crossing your legs and/or ankles. it's rubbing the hair off. crossing your ankles. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | how do i remove black spots on my face? | first have the dark spot looked at by a dermatologist to determine that the dark spot is not pre-cancerous or skin cancer. melasma is a common cause of dark spots on the forehead cheeks and upper lips in women. one of the first and very critical steps to brightening darker areas on the face is to use a cream with an spf of 30 and above applying three times each day to cover darker areas. also applying skin brighteners such as niacin hydroroquinone and kojic acid will help brighten the darker areas. these steps will help your skin look more even and more youthful. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | do you have any advice on how i can avoid splotches and keep my freckle face healthy? | my advice for freckles is to keep them protected from the sun or they will become darker larger and look more like age spots. also they may camouflage a more serious mole that needs a biopsy to determine if it’s a risk of cancer. in addition to daily use of an spf 30 sunscreen to protect from both uva/uvb rays skin-brightening agents can be applied twice a day for a more blended youthful appearance. brightening agents that are approved for purchase include licorice extract niacin and low dose hydroquinone 1% to 2% strength. finally general skin health steps such as moisturizing with key antioxidant vitamins like vitamin e c and vitamin a will help keep your freckles closer to how they looked when you were young. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | how long is one shot or pen of humira effective for (rheumatoid arthritis)? | humira is used to slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis (ra). it is considered a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug. therefore this drug must be taken for some time to make a difference in the outcome of ra. some ra patients will see results as soon as 2 weeks. for others it may take up to 3 months. you will know humira is working when you notice less pain swelling and joint stiffness. humira is packaged in a single use pen or syringe. adults with rheumatoid arthritis are prescribed one pen or syringe (40 mg) every other week. for patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are not on the medication methotrexate humira may be taken every week. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | is it absolutely necessary to use a toner after washing my face? | toners are not an absolute necessity for your skin care regimen. a toner is designed to help remove excess surface oils to allow moisturizers or antibacterial washes (in acne treatment preparations) penetrate into the skin. avoid toners with a high alcohol content; this may lead to excessive drying of the skin. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what can i do to treat the bags under my eyes? | severe bags under the eyes are also known as festoons. your condition may require an evaluation by your surgeon. if you are the appropriate candidate there are several minimally invasive techniques to remove the fat pads without an external incision. this is known as a transconjunctival technique. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i have a hard red spot about the size of a quarter near my ankle. it does not hurt. what could it be? | your dermatologist should evaluate skin changes or abnormal spots. a lesion that feels hard may be scar tissue. however you should be evaluated for any underlying skin cancer. when evaluating your skin look for changes in the area border or color of the skin. these are the "abcs" of skin cancer detection. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | how can i get rid of a white-spot birthmark on my face? | birthmarks can be difficult to conceal. your first step is to exclude any underlying medical causes that may lead to superficial skin changes such as any type of infection. once medical causes are excluded your options may include laser treatment medical tattooing or a medical-grade concealer. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what can i do to have glowing pinkish skin not dry dull skin? | the key to having healthy glowing skin is to utilize sunblock followed by a skin-care regimen that includes exfoliation hydration and nutrition. within your diet include vitamins that are good for your skin such as folic acid magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids. if you moisturize and hydrate your skin and body you will be much less likely to develop dry skin. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what are the dangers of multiple piercings? | one of the unfortunate consequences of multiple piercings is the potential for wound infection. the blood supply adjacent to the area of the piercing(s) may be compromised. this will also delay healing. if you suspect an infection you should have this area evaluated by your physician. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i'm 24 but laugh lines and forehead wrinkles are already apparent on my face. can i slow them down? | sun damage and smoking are the no. 1 reasons for premature aging or wrinkling of the skin. therefore you should incorporate the use of sunblock in your daily skin-care regimen. next utilize a daily skin regimen that exfoliates your skin which will help remove dead skin cells. this should be followed by a non-comedogenic moisturizer that contains vitamins (c & e) and rebuilds peptides for your skin. use a very dramatic moisturizer! i use multiple moisturizers and it seriously takes away my laugh lines and wrinkles. and i smile all the time. try using moisturizers that are for dry skin. i use several natural oatmeal moistorizers that work and i use a heavy body butter around the area that i have most trouble with and a gentle baby lotion for the areas i dont have trouble with. you can also use natural exfoliators i have noticed they work so much better than commercial ones! try baking soda and water apply to face keep it on for a minute or two (never longer than 3 min because of the result of skin irritation) grab a rag and put cool water on it and gently wipe it off. sometimes if it doesn't all come off and you can still feel the particles on your face then i put my face under the faucet. you can do it however you want though but you can instantly tell the difference between your first try! don't stop smiling! our body is like a computer. garbage in garbage out. i highly recommend that you look at your diet. are you eating a lot of processed foods? there is not much nutrition in processed foods if any. in my opinion even organic processed food is garbage. once something has been processed it is dead food. are you eating fresh fruits and vegetables (preferably organic so your immune system can heal your skin and does not have to fight all the chemicals in conventional foods)? raw unprocessed nuts? eggs (yes they are really good for you! ) stay away from conventional meats and dairy? it is truly true. you are what you eat! make it an adventure to discover real food not stuff that comes from a box. you will see your skin become as it should be at your age luminous and supple. granted it takes a little effort but once you see the results in your skin (and you will) you gladly eat at home and make it a home cooked meal. highly recommend you study up on healthy nutrition maybe take a cooking course. i am 64 and almost wrinkle free my weight is normal and i can pass for 50. that is what good nutrition can do for you. my best wishes to you r. d. externally there are topical line relaxers the most effective target just the line you want to treat. the line fillers are meant to "fill in" your lines but don't seem to work too well for me. i think regular consistent care of the skin is the most important thing you can do. routinely moisturize your skin twice a day face and neck. shower and then follow with a good thick moisturizer that has vitamins c e a with hyaluronic acid and sunscreen. avoid products with alcohol as an ingredient as this will dry and damage new skin. clean skin at night and use a good night cream. personally i love the olay refinishing night cream makes skin so soft and smells great. internally drink water and eat your berries & veggies. take a b vitamin complex with biotin fish oil and a multivitamin. if your lines don't respond to a line relaxer and twice daily tlc a precription for retinol may do the trick. i personally find these creams effective: strivectin lift cream really lifts! the newest neutrogena tone improving moisturizer is a nice effective cream that brightens skin well the olay refinishing line helps with surface problems such as large pores. i also use vitamin e oil and collagen(absorbed through skin) about once a week after a shower on wet skin. allover. then of course there's always botox. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | my stepdaughter just moved to las vegas from hawaii. her beautiful skin started breaking out. is it the climate change? | a variety of conditions may lead to changes in your skin. acne breakouts can occur secondary to stress or hormonal changes. very hot weather can stimulate oil gland production and clogged pores which may lead to new breakouts. make sure your stepdaughter is using the correct moisturizer. i always recommend moisturizers that are non-comedogenic or non-pore-clogging. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i have developed wrinkles on my face after a 35 pound weight loss. what should i do? | significant weight loss can also affect the fat pads around your cheeks and eyes creating a "hollowed/wrinkled" appearance. your next step (other than regaining your weight) would be to have an evaluation by your plastic surgeon or dermatologist. your surgeon may recommend fillers fat transfer or stem cell micro-injections to restore volume to your face. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i have dark purple blotches under my eyes even though i'm healthy. what causes it? | a purple color under your eyes may be attributed to the tiny blood vessels within your lower eyelid. the skin in this area is quite thin and stretched over the bony prominence which will make these blood vessels more noticeable. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | is it dangerous to color your hair if you have extremely dry scalp from scalp psoriasis? | in general there is no contraindication to the use of hair dyes with scalp psoriasis. certain hair dyes may further aggravate your scalp psoriasis. consider patch testing a small area prior to dying your whole head. do not leave the dye in place for extended periods. other options include natural herbal dyes such as henna dyes. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what prevents dark spots under the eyes for african-american women? | dark spots can be attributed to hereditary factors fluid retention and excess sun exposure. your first step is to exclude any underlying medical problems that can contribute to your dark spots. next your physician can recommend a series of brightening agents that may improve your condition. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | is it possible to have scabies that don't itch? | yes. newly infected areas may not itch. as the number of female mites multiply and lay eggs there are local secretions from the mites along with a local histamine release that leads to itching. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i'm 28 and my skin has changed dramatically. i have big pores and wrinkles around my forehead and eyes. what can i do? | your first step is to avoid the sun. sun damage and smoking are the primary causes of premature aging. you should include sunblock in your daily skin regimen. next incorporate a skin-care product in your regimen that will exfoliate (such as salicylic acid or papaya enzymes) hydrate (hyaluronic acid) nourish (vitamins and peptides ) and rebuild collagen (retinol). |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | can a mole on my my lower lip be removed? | lower lip moles can be removed surgically. make sure that your dermatologist or plastic surgeon is comfortable with removing your mole and is able to preserve your natural lip aesthetic landmarks. careful attention to these landmarks will allow your final scar to heal without being very noticeable. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | at 22 i have started constantly breaking out all over my face. can a dermatologist help? | yes. you should have an initial evaluation with a dermatologist. once evaluated your physician can guide you toward the best skin regimen for your skin type. during your consultation your physician should also be able to assess if there are any underlying medical conditions that may have attributed to your new breakouts. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what can i do about puffy bags under my eyes? | your first approach is to ensure that you are receiving an adequate amount of rest. apply cool compress around your eyes in the morning with green tea bags. avoid excess alcohol consumption and very salty foods. you also need to weed out any underlying medical issues such as sinusitis allergies or a reaction to contact lenses. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | can an over-the-counter product fade an unwanted tattoo? | several of the popular over-the-counter agents including skin-bleaching agents and topical acids (salicylic) have been used to fade tattoos. unfortunately many of these products require continuous use for six months and they work by removing the outer layer of the skin. very colorful and deeper tattoos may be more difficult to completely fade using this approach. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what is the best way to condition my skin before a cosmetic procedure? | skin preparation is a very important part of many cosmetic procedures. especially in darker skinned patients who may run the risk for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin). your physician may prescribe a combination of topical exfoliating agents along with skin brighteners in order to prepare your skin prior to your cosmetic procedure. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | how can i use duct tape to get rid of warts? | duct tape supposedly starves the wart of oxygen and blood supply and in theory the wart will go away. i have not used duct tape in my practice to treat warts. currently we utilize topical medications and laser removal. this works but i only tried it on my daughters foot. i wouldn't think putting tape on your va j j would be a good idea |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | as a woman what can i do about facial hair on my chin? | laser hair removal is an excellent choice to remove unwanted hair for all skin types. when choosing your laser specialists make sure that your physician is familiar with your skin type and skin color. make sure that your laser treatments are physician supervised. while undergoing laser treatment you should not concurrently undergo waxing or electrolysis. this may lead to damage of your skin. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i'm 24 have to work under the sun and already have wrinkles under my eyes and crow’s feet. what can i do? | sun damage is the no. 1 cause for premature aging of the skin. if you have to work outdoors try to avoid the sun between the peak hours 11 a. m. and 2 p. m. uva and uvb penetration are strongest during the early afternoon. use a sunblock with an spf of at least 40. and wear a wide brim hat while outdoors drink plenty of fluid to keep your skin and body well-hydrated. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i want to have a clear upper lip and underarms. which hair removal treatment is the best? | there is no one hair-removal system that works for everyone. every hair removal system has certain advantages and disadvantages for each skin type. your best course of action is to find a physician that is familiar with your skin type and skin color as it relates to hair removal. laser hair removal can be a very effective method to remove hair in experienced hands. electrolysis has several disadvantages including painful treatments and the potential for scarring and hyperpigmentation. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i am a vegetarian and my hair is falling out. what can i do to solve the problem? | your first step is to exclude any underlying medical conditions that may affect your hair growth such as hormonal or endocrine diseases. next make sure your diet includes biotin folate magnesium and essential fatty acids (omega-3s). these components are essential for healthy skin and hair growth. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i'm 55 years old. my skin is becoming more sensitive to skin care products. can skin become sensitive over time? | certain products may contain preservatives or fragrances that can cause hypersensitivity or an allergic reaction on your skin. also if you are using products that contain tretinoin aha or salicylic acids your skin may become more sensitive when exposed to direct sunlight. therefore it is important to incorporate a sun block within your skin care regimen. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | many women in my family have facial hair on their chins and jaw. i have dark marks from shaving. what do you suggest? | you may want to consider having the hair removed with a laser by a trained professional. between treatments consider using hydroquinone kojic acid alpha-hydroxy acids or bearberry to help lighten the dark spots. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | can i use lemons to lighten the darker areas of my skin on my body including the perianal area? what else can i use? | the acidic component in lemons does contain some natural lightening properties. in general it is safe to use. avoid using lemons on any area that has recently been waxed or shaved. lemons may cause irritation in the perianal regions. unfortunately trying to lighten your skin with lemons will take a long time. consider using hydroquinine kojic acid alpha-hydroxy acids or bearberry as more effective lightening agents. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i have plaque psoriasis that appears on my scalp face neck and pants line. how can i keep it under control? | plaque psoriasis needs to be addressed primarily by your physician. plaque psoriasis can be treated with topical and systemic medications. there are also other treatments for plaque psoriasis without the possible side effects of systemic medications. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what are the most important things you should do to have healthy skin in your early 30s? | the two most important actions are to avoid direct sunlight (use a sunblock) and steer clear of smoking. next follow a skin regimen that includes exfoliation (aha salycilic acid and papaya enzymes). hydrate with natural oils that are non comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) such as almond oil or avocado oil. rejuvenate your skin with natural skin peptides collagen builders and tretinoin. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what's the best kind of moisturizer to use with oily skin? | you should use moisturizers that are non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging). for individuals with oily skin the use of products that clog pores may lead to increased oil production. oily skin needs special cleansing with plenty of warm water and soap to prevent the pores from being clogged. avoid harsh products that strip your skin of oil and encourage flakiness. they can cause a reaction known as reactive seborrhea where the oil glands work overtime to compensate for the loss of natural oils. avoid skin-care products that leave your skin feeling taut and dehydrated. they cause the upper layers of the skin to shrink. this restricts oil flow through the pores leading to blockages and breakouts. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i am 28 and have very sensitive skin. is it too early to start using age-defying products? | your antiaging skin care regimen should start in your 20s. begin with a sunblock followed by a gentle exfoliater and tretinoin-based creams to help rebuild collagen. this combination will work toward maintaining a rejuvenated appearance. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i am a 16-year-old boy and have dark circles under my eyes. is there a natural way to get rid of them? | at age 16 i would avoid many of the harsh chemicals that are available. it may be wise to have an evaluation by your doctor to determine if there are any underlying medical issues. next implement simple measures such as getting at least 8-10 hours of sleep every night. don’t leave the weekends to "catch-up" on your rest. apply cool a compress with green tea bags around your eyes. this will help with puffiness. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | my earlobes develop hard crusty patches of skin and scabs and are sore. i’ve tried bactroban. do you have any advice? | you may be suffering from a secondary fungal infection. this can usually be treated with topical antifungal cream along with a topical hydrocortisone for the inflammatory component. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what are good treatments for rosacea at age 36? | your first step is to avoid direct sun exposure alcohol or any other lifestyle factors that may irritate your skin and trigger rosacea outbreaks. there is no cure for rosacea but with treatment you may be able to control the symptoms. antibiotic pills and topical creams may treat symptoms. topical tretinoin compounds and lasers may be used to control refractory rosacea. i have had rosacea since my late 20s (now in my late 30s) here are the tips i've learned: be religious about sunscreen. if i have direct sunlight without sunscreen i will be red for hours experiment and learn which products work best to control your rosacea. everyone is different but once you find stuff stick with it. i've found that baby shampoo as a cleanser while a little drying does the best at controlling my rosacea of all things. i've also found that larenim and pure minerals makeups actually help clear up my rosacea rather than causing more probelms. most of the tips i'd learned when i first got it was about knowing and avoiding triggers. my triggers are sunlight exercise and alcohol. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | my lips have become severely chapped. i have applied vitamin e but it isn’t working. can you give me any advice? . it’s not the infrequent normal kind of chapping. it’s lasts for weeks and looks like a lot of dry dead skin on my lips. | non-healing areas of sun-exposed skin -- such as the lips ears and nose -- should be evaluated by your dermatologist to exclude any precancerous growths. once you have excluded any precancerous causes consider applying topical hydrocortisone to reduce the inflammatory process. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i am a woman in my late 30s. i have undergone laser hair removal treatments for my chin. however after several treatmen. i am a woman in my late 30s. i have undergone laser hair removal treatments for my chin. however after several treatments the hair continues to grow back. i also have a dark patch because of plucking over time. are there options to lighten the skin as well as remove the hair? | laser hair removal will need to be repeated because your hair grows in different cycles. dark hair on darker skin types is particularly difficult to treat because the laser works by “distinguishing” the pigment in your hair follicle from the pigment in your skin. your dark patches can be treated with topical skin lightening agents such as hydroquinone kojic acid or bearberry derivatives. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i have little tumors around my eyes. i was told that they could be removed but they would come back. what should i do? | there are deposits around the eyes that can be associated with high cholesterol. if that is indeed the case it's most important to address your cholesterol. heart disease is serious. after you correct your cholesterol you can have the lesions removed without them returning. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | are there any laser treatments or nonsurgical remedies to remove the bags under my eyes? | eye bags are a problem for many people. the easiest nonsurgical option is to make sure you are fully treating any allergies you have. proper use of antihistamines vasoconstrictors and light compression on the eyes at night can make a big improvement also. lasers are sometimes used to decrease wrinkles but this would not really decrease the bags. some dermatologist and plastic surgeons are skilled at using fillers to fill in the groove that outlines your eye bags. this is a great nonsurgical answer for many men and women. make sure the doctor is skilled and understands your skin type. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i’m 34 and need to get rid of bad wrinkles around my eyes. they look shaggy and red. how can i look younger? | most women want to look younger. at age 34 you are young and too young for wrinkles of the type you describe. the red shaggy description suggests there may be other skin concerns that you should consider. you owe yourself a trip to the dermatologist. let them evaluate you and make sure you have not developed an allergic reaction an infection atopic dermatitis or any other kind of skin condition. after you address any underlying skin issues you'll probably look healthier and younger. use sunscreen and a moisturizer that contains vitamins c e and a. also be sure to exfoliate in order to maintain a more youthful appearance. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i lost 74 pounds and have wrinkled saggy skin. what natural product can i use for collagen and elastin production? | tretinoin contains compounds that have been shown to increase cell turnover and collagen formation. unfortunately with severe weight loss there can be a loss of elasticity in your skin. therefore you may want to discuss these "problematic" areas with your dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i was told by a doctor that the age spots on my hands are from hormones. i thought it was sun exposure. what can i use? | there are several pigmented skin problems caused by hormones. age spots are very common. and you're correct they are caused by sun exposure. there are several agents that lighten them including licorice extract niacin hydroquinone and others. it's very important during and after the use of a brightening agent to apply sunblock or the spots will return. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | is there a nonsurgical procedure to get rid of the bags under my eyes? | a lot depends on how extensive the eye bags are. if the underlying causes are medical or from lack of sleep these issues should be addressed first. next consider discussing the use of fillers with your dermatologist. properly placed fillers along the lower eyelid and cheek junction can mask the presence of eye bags. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i am 46. how can i prevent the deep lines i have from getting worse? | sun damage is the primary cause for premature aging. incorporate sun block in your daily skin regimen. avoid outdoor activities between 10 a. m. and 2 p. m. when the sun's rays are the strongest. twice per week incorporate an exfoliating regimen for your skin to remove surface dead skin cells. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what's the best treatment for large deep pores on my cheeks? | proper skin care is your first approach towards large facial pores. pores appear enlarged when they are clogged dilated or infected and that's why the best way to keep your pores small and less visible is to keep your skin clean all the time. often the pores get clogged with dead skin cells dirt and oil which makes them appear more prominent. that’s why regular skin exfoliation is essential in order to remove the dead skin cells and to allow your skin to produce newer healthier cells. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i had maxillofacial surgery and have metal plates in my face. can i receive laser hair removal on my chin and lip area? | your prior history should be taken in to account. a thorough exam of your face by your maxillofacial surgeon should exclude any potential problems (infection or loose plates) below your skin surface. once this information is determined you should be able to proceed with laser hair removal. for extra caution first laser only a small test area. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i am 46 years old and have oily-combination skin. what would be the best toner for my age? | i suggest that you cleanse your face twice daily with soap and water. pack a pre-moistened cleansing pad if you won't be around a water basin throughout the day. shower or bathe in tepid water rather than steaming hot water. hot water can strip your skin of needed moisture while cold water can shock your skin. avoid using cleansers or toners that tend to over-dry skin or have high alcohol content. this over-drying actually causes your skin to produce even more oil than usual. use only noncomedogenic moisturizers and sunscreen products. this means they're oil-free and won't clog pores. use vitamin a derivatives or retinoids which reduce production in oil glands and shrink their size. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i’m a man with somewhat oily skin. can you tell me about using abrasive skin scrubbers or loofahs to remove dead skin? | overly aggressive scrubbing of your skin may damage the top layer of your skin. if your objective is to remove dead skin cells consider using gentle exfoliating agents that contain salicylic acid glycolic or papaya-based products. in addition use cleansers that contain jojoba beads. jojoba beads are gentle spherical exfoliants that do not scratch the skin's surface. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i have a stressful job that keeps me on the move. how can i make sure i look radiant and young in my late 30s? | looking young and radiant in your 30s is simple if you use sunscreen daily and moisturize your skin with vitamin a c and e. remember to lightly exfoliate daily with an alpha-hydroxy acid and to perform a weekly scrub. try to minimize your stress and the facial expressions associated with stress like wrinkling between your eyebrows. at home put a piece of scotch tape there and monitor how much you frown. if it's often begin training yourself not to. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i'm 45 and have sunspots and age spots on my face. is there an over-the-counter product that i can take to fade them? | the no. 1 cause of premature aging and sunspots is sun damage. avoid direct sunlight during peak hours 11 a. m. to 2 p. m. most sunblocks that contain titanium dioxide will help. compounds that contain salicylic acid will resurface your skin. compounds that contain tretinoin will help rejuvenate your face by encouraging collagen production. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i have very dry hands that are cracked. what should i use on them? | your first step is to exclude any underlying medical causes such as a thyroid condition connective tissue disease or an infectious process. when you wash your hands avoid cleansers that contain alcohol. this will further dry your hands. your next step is to focus on moisturizing and hydrating your hands. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i am a woman of color with acne scars. what can i use to help remove the scars that are left from acne flare-ups? | post-acne scars can leave a variety of changes to your skin including hyperpigmentation and pitting. people of color are especially prone to have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or dark marks after acne flare-ups. your physician should implement a program that uses a combination of salicylic acids (to penetrate the dark marks) and brightening agents to improve the color. you physician can prescribe prescription-grade formulations. i can suggest you to use some natural products for the problem you are facing because i also face the problem and by a friend's suggestion i got to use these products. oil extracted from pure ingredients and no other chemicals added. tamanu oil which is made out of the tamanu tree especially located in vanuatu is the perfect solution. hope you can go through it and have a positive result. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i am getting tiny blood-red spots all over my body. i have very fair skin! what are they and how can i get rid of them? | blood-red spots may be attributed to dilated small vessels on your face or telangiectasia. the majority of these "red spots" are benign. however on occasion they are associated with other medical conditions such as acne rosacea scleroderma and birthmarks. your first step is to exclude any underlying medical conditions. then your physician may recommend a topical product or laser treatment. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | my cat's claw got stuck in my upper lip and caused an infection. how can i get rid of the round pinkish scar? | the development of scar tissue is how our bodies respond to a breach in our skin as when your cat's claw pierced the skin of your upper lip. unfortunately scar tissue is not skin tissue and does not look the same or feel the same. with time most scar tissue recedes in size and the pink color will turn more white making it less noticeable. one thing you might try is very gently rubbing a little vitamin e-based oil or cream over the area with the scar to help with the healing process and to diminish the appearance of the scar. if it really is a problem you'll want to talk to a plastic surgeon about your options. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | for years i have been suffering with itchy toes. my toes are currently all inflamed from scratching. what can i use? | your condition sounds quite complex. usually "itchy" toes are a result of athlete's foot (tinea pedis) which is a fungal infection. you may want to seek advice from an infectious disease specialist who will evaluate you and possibly obtain a biopsy or culture in order to exclude any other underlying medical conditions or ongoing infections. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i have skin tags in both underarm areas. how many skin tags can typically be removed in one office visit? | skin tags are common acquired benign skin growths that look like a small piece of soft hanging skin. skin tags are harmless growths. some individuals may be more prone to tags -- between 50-100 tags. males and females are equally prone to developing skin tags. obesity and being moderately overweight (even temporary increases) dramatically increase the chances of having skin tags. normal-weight individuals with larger breasts are also more prone to skin tags under their breasts. some small tags spontaneously rub or fall off painlessly and the person may not even know they had a skin tag. most tags do not fall off on their own and stay around once formed. the medical name for a skin tag is acrochordon or fibroepithelial polyp. skin tags can occur almost anywhere on the body where there is skin. however the top two favorite areas for skin tags are the neck and armpits. other areas include the eyelids upper chest (particularly under the female breasts) buttock folds and groin folds. tags are typically thought to occur in high-friction locations where skin rubs against skin or clothing most often. in general there is no limit to the number of skin tags that can be removed at one office visit as long as your overall health permits the in-office procedure. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i have dark spots on my legs. is there a cream or a type of acid to bleach these spots? where do these spots come from? | hyperpigmentation or dark spots will respond to a combination of chemical peels that contain salicylic acid alpha-hydroxy acids and skin-brightening agents such as hydroquinone licorice extract or bearberry. your physician will be able to implement a skin care regimen once any underlying medical causes are excluded. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what can i do about the dark circles under my eyes? | hyperpigmentation discoloration or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (pih) on your skin can be attributed to a variety of disorders. i like to begin with excluding any medical reasons that may result in hyperpigmentation. hyperpigmentation may be attributed to renal disease diabetes or peripheral vascular disease. pih arises from an acquired excess of pigment related to an inflammatory process such as infection an allergic reaction a reaction to medication or a trauma. pih often occurs as a consequence of inflammatory skin disorders including acne drug-induced eruptions and eczema. once you have excluded medical causes there are multiple options to regain your even skin tone. a combination of glycolic acid aha and tretinoin-based products -- along with a traditional topical skin care regimen -- will work for skin brightening. hydroquinone-based products work well. however there are other alternatives such as bearberry kojic acid licorice extract and niacin. these compounds will work towards brightening your skin and correcting your skin tone. the key is to work with a physician that is very familiar with your skin type and color because incorrect use of these agents can lead to further hypo- or hyperpigmentation. i tell my african-american patients in particular that in order to get your skin in shape it has to be a gradual process similar to exercising. you would not attempt to lift 250 lbs on the first day of your workout; this attempt may lead to injuring yourself and disastrous results. the same holds true with your skin regimen a gradual approach is always best. once you get your melanocytes in shape and under control you can improve your skin tone. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | how do you prevent freckles and dark patches or age spots on the face? are there any special skin treatments? | avoid direct sunlight between the peak hours 11 a. m. to 2 p. m. sunblock is probably your best approach to avoid premature aging and dark spots. your skin regimen should include steps to exfoliate and get rid of dead skin cells hydrate and rejuvenate with natural amino acids or peptides. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i've been dealing with seborrheic dermatitis for about a year. how can i further control and prevent it? | seborrheic dermatitis is thought to be a combination of over-production of oil glands and yeast on the skin's surface. unfortunately seborrheic dermatitis can be a lifelong problem characterized by prolonged inactive periods and flare-ups. if you suffer from seborrheic dermatitis consider using selenium- or ketoconazole-containing shampoos at least once per week. when you wash your hair also apply a small amount of the shampoo on the problematic areas on your face and then rinse your hair and face simultaneously. over-the-counter corticosteroids will control minor flare-ups. more severe reactions should be evaluated by your dermatologist. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i am a 35-year-old female whose face has become extremely oily. i wash my face at least twice a day what can i do? . i use makeup specifically for oily skin types. i use an astringent and i moisturize. after i wash my face it's like an oil pool again within 30 minutes. | overwashing or the use of astringents that are too harsh will further increase oil production. make sure that your astringents are non-drying and paraben- and alcohol-free. also your moisturizer should be non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging). use moisturizers that are derived from natural oils such as almond or avocado oils. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i get boils over my entire body that leave scars. it makes it difficult for me to go out in public. what i can do? | your condition sounds quite challenging. boils all over the body may be secondary to an altered immune system an opportunistic staph infection or a hereditary condition of the sweat glands referred to as hidradenitis suppurativa. your first step is to undergo a complete examination by your internist including a comprehensive blood panel to determine if there are any underlying medical causes for your skin changes. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i'm 48 years old and i have adult acne. also the skin around my nose flakes. what can i do about these two issues? | you may be suffering from a combination of acne and seborrheic dermatitis (sd). typically sd sufferers will have flaky skin around the nose and hairline in combination with dry patches. there is usually an underlying fungal component (with sd) that can be treated with an antifungal cream and/or shampoo. flare-ups can be controlled with over-the-counter corticosteroids. once this component is under control your acne will be easier to treat. your acne prevention regimen should include an antimicrobial facial wash that contains benzoyl peroxide acid or alpha-hydroxy acid a mild exfoliating agent and salicylic acid to help clear your clogged pores. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what i can i use to brighten my elbows? they are very dark and they itch sometimes. | hyperpigmentation or dark spots will respond to a combination of chemical peels that contain salicylic acid alpha-hydroxy acids and skin-brightening agents such as hydroquinone licorice extract or bearberry. your physician will be able to implement a skin care regimen once any underlying medical causes are excluded. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | is there a product i can use or something i can do to help make my crow's feel less noticeable? | many factors contribute to crow's feet including sun exposure squinting and menopause. solar radiation damages the elastic and collagen in your skin which leads to "lax skin" rather than tight skin that is adherent to the underlying muscles. sun exposure is probably the easiest to address. you should incorporate sunblock in your daily skin regimen. squinting results in contraction of the muscles around the eyes. years of squinting can lead to hypertrophy or enlargement of the underlying muscles which will lead to the noticeable grooves on the skin surface. menopause affects estrogen levels which is critical for maintaining collagen levels and skin hydration. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | two days ago a shoe caused a heel blister. now i have pain all up my calf and can barely walk. what should i do? | the type of pain you describe is not typical for a standard blister. it does sound possible that you have either gotten an infection or you are experiencing nerve pain from the site of the blister that is moving up your leg. wear shoes that do not irritate the blister. keep the area clean and dry. take ibuprofen for pain if necessary. if this does not clear up in a day or two or if you see obvious signs of serious infection such as: swelling hot inflamed skin overall fever please see your pcp. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i had a mole frozen a few days ago. how long before it falls off? | every person responds differently to this procedure. it depends on you the size of the mole the site etc. you can usually expect it to fall off within a week to 10 days. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i broke my pinky fingernail down to the skin and have been feeling a tingling/slight numbness. did i hit a nerve? | your fingernails protect your fingers and when you broke the nail down so far you exposed skin that hasn't been exposed previously. so yes you have probably "hit" a nerve but you hit nerves any time you bump yourself. what you're feeling is nerve endings that are more sensitive due to this unexpected exposure. it will go away in time. keep the area protected from further injury. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | my fingertips have severe dry cracked peeling skin that sometimes becomes worse. any suggestions? | it is possible that you have a form of eczema that is causing your fingers to peel and crack. many people experience a flare-up of this type of eczema especially when they change environments. this means a change of climate humidity sometimes food water etc. some people notice that their flare-ups occur when they have allergy symptoms and can benefit from antihistamines as well as using creams or lotions that do work. try to notice if your condition ever improves. make a note of the things in your life that are different and see if you can get an upper hand on this. treating it with steroid cream is one way to keep it from cracking to the point of bleeding. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i am going through menopause and now have extremely dry itchy skin and red bumps. is there something you can recommend? | menopause can effect estrogen production. estrogen is critical in the production of oil glands and collagen. estrogen levels are also associated with your cells' ability to maintain hydration. to help your skin cells avoid hot showers because they tend to further dry out your skin. consume foods rich in essential fatty acids. these will help your cells with natural oil production. finally use sun protection. sun damage is the no. 1 cause for premature aging of the skin. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my face. the scar has spread with some indentation. how can i minimize it? | i can appreciate your concern about the scar. you might try using some vitamin e oil massaging it into the area around your scar. usually when a scar leaves an indentation it is likely to remain there unless you have it surgically repaired. you can talk to your dermatologist about this. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | last winter my skin started to get excessively dry and crack overnight. this year it's back. what can i do? | dry skin is a frustrating condition and winter makes it even worse. if you have a moisturizer that does not burn then you should stick with that. here are a few more dry skin tips for winter: * take warm showers not hot. when possible rinse in cooler water. this helps your skin to not over-respond to the hot water by becoming more dry and red. * after showering washing your face or hands be sure to dry your skin completely with a dry towel. i'm not sure why this is but we tend to only partially dry our hands during the winter and this will contribute to the development of really dry skin that is prone to cracking and breaking. * use a humidifier in your room. winter air is dry and your skin suffers from this. raising the humidity in your home will help your overall symptoms. * obviously you want to stay well hydrated so drink plenty of water and water-containing beverages eat fruit and vegetables. stay away from caffeine and alcohol because they dehydrate you. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | my skin started itching after using a new detergent. i am taking an antihistamine to relieve it. what more can i do? | it is very likely that your skin reactions are the result of changing your laundry soap. unfortunately when your skin becomes sensitized it takes it a while to settle back down. unfortunately this is more difficult in the winter months because your skin suffers from the temperature extremes of this time of year making a usually small problem bigger than it usually would be. taking an antihistamine to help minimize the irritation is a good idea just be careful about the drowsiness that can occur. you might also consider using a little bit of hydrocortisone cream for any areas that are especially inflamed. aveeno baths can help soothe irritated skin as well. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i have stretch marks on my calves inner thighs and hips. cocoa butter diminished the redness. what else will help? | congratulations on your weight loss! unfortunately one of the side effects of such weight loss is the appearance of stretch marks. stretch marks are a form of a scar and as such will never completely go away. using creams and lotions will help to minimize their appearance as will the passage of time but unfortunately your skin will never return to its pre-stretch-mark state. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | at age 40 i have both oily and dry skin problems. what kind of cleanser and toner do you recommend? | a change in your skin type may be caused by your skin care regimen. make sure that you are not using products that are over-drying your skin because that will lead to increased oil gland production. you should exclude any underlying skin conditions such as eczema psoriasis or seborrhea that may alter your skin’s oil production. you may also have combination skin (elements of dry and oily skin). because the nose chin center of the forehead and the cheeks all have more oil glands than any other part of the face it is not surprising that those areas tend to be oilier and may break out more frequently than other areas. at the same time the areas that lack oil glands can become dry and flaky. problems occur when you attempt to treat combination skin as one specific skin type. many ingredients that are appropriate for the t-zone (the area along the center of the forehead and down the nose where most of the active oil glands on the face are located) won't help the drier parts of cheeks eyes or jaws -- and vice versa. more often than not separate products are required to deal with the different skin types on your face because different skin types even on the same face must be treated differently to truly feel and look better. once you accept this fact and adjust your routine combination skin can be brought into balance at least to the extent that using the right products allows. if anything using overly abrasive or irritating skin-care products on oilier areas will only worsen combination skin's dual nature by making dry areas drier and creating a rough reddened appearance over oily areas. plus treating skin harshly does not correct or improve oiliness in any way because combination skin should be viewed and treated as separate skin types. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | can you tell me whether environmental facial damage can be repaired without doing laser treatments? | skin damage that is secondary to environmental changes -- such as from the sun or harsh weather conditions -- can be treated with topical tretinoin alpha-hydroxy acid (aha) or glycolic acid and hydrating compounds. severe conditions will dehydrate your skin cells and rob your skin of essential nutritional elements. in order to combat theses unwanted changes your skin care regimen should be designed to rejuvenate rehydrate and stimulate new healthy skin growth. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i have a lot of whiteheads on my forehead and below my eyes. where did they come from and how do i get rid of them? | whiteheads occur when your pores accumulate excess oil or sebum and fail to drain. frequently acne-forming bacteria will arise simultaneously due to pore blockage and the alteration of the ph on the surface of your skin. in order to combat this you will need to begin exfoliating your skin and reduce surface bacteria on your skin with compounds containing alpha-hydroxy acids (ahas) or salicylic acid. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | my eyelids have darkened with age. is there some way that i can effectively lighten my eyelids? | yes. you can brighten your eyelids. first make sure there is no underlying condition that may be causing the darkness. your doctor or dermatologist can help you determine if you having an allergic irritation or drug reaction. treatment should consist of sunscreen spf 30 or above to block the sun from rays that darken the skin. also bearberry extract and licorice extract are great brightening options that can be mixed with a moisturizer for the delicate skin on the upper eyelid. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i'm almost 74 and my face shows it. one side of my face has more lines on it than the other. what do you recommend? | it's never too late to implement a good skin care regimen. use a sunscreen with an spf of at least 30. begin a daily regimen that includes exfoliation hydration and nutrition with peptides and vitamins a c and e for your skin. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i am 14 and just lost 60 pounds. i have a lot of excess skin on my belly. what can i do to get rid of it? | your concern about the loose skin is a common one in an individual who has lost a great deal of weight sometimes quickly. while your skin is adaptable it can take quite a bit of time for it to return to its more firm suppleness after experiencing weight loss as you have done. try not to expect it to get better overnight or even in a couple of weeks. you're young enough that it is not necessarily recommended to seek surgery to take care of the excess skin. if it continues to be a problem after several months you could discuss it. but i'm sure you will find that by that time it will be much better. in the meantime continue to eat nutritiously exercise wisely and enjoy life. you should try to not eat too much junk food because that can lead to diabetes and in extreme cases it can lead to obesity and death. so try not to eat too much sugary foods. if you want a snack try to have a piece of fruit instead of a bag of chips or drink water instead of high sugar juices and soda. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i still have a softball-sized lump on my thigh and buttocks from hitting a tree while skiing last year. what can i do? . my doctor said it was fat necrosis and should be gone in a year but it is the same. should i take more action? | it means that you may have a lump there but it is not medically significant. if you are concerned about its appearance you may want to talk to your dermatologist or a plastic surgeon about having it removed. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what causes milia? how can i avoid getting these? | milia also known as whiteheads are very common white pimples that can occur in persons of all ages. they appear mostly on the upper cheeks nose and chin of infants. this occurs when dead skin cells and sebaceous matter gets trapped near the skin surface rather than exfoliating naturally. common causes of milia include the use of thick and heavy cosmetics or poor-quality products that are not suitable for the skin that prevent the sloughing-off of dead skin cells. excessive sun exposure makes the skin thick which leaves it unable to exfoliate naturally. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i'm an 81-year-old man with a severe scalp problem; scales that are moving down to my face. do you have any suggestions? . my dermatologist tried using a procedure that was very cold. but the situation has gotten worse. this problem runs in my family so it may be a genetic thing. | if you are suffering from a "severe" scalp problem your differential diagnosis (at age 81) may include anything from infection an immunologic disease or cancer. you should have your condition evaluated by a physician. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | at 29 i still bite and pick at my fingernails. what can i do to quit this habit? | your first goal is to determine if there underlying reasons for your habit. potential issues can range from an obsessive compulsive disorder to stress. severe nail biting can lead to serious health risks. bacteria can be transferred from your hands to your mouth. i would suggest that you consider an evaluation with a qualified psychotherapist and if there are secondary medical problems from the biting (such as an infection) your dermatologist can treat them. often a team approach can be effective for complex issues. i had the same problem until my late 20's. a friend invited me to a nail salon & i had the acrylic nails put on for fun. i actually tried to bite & pick at those too! every month or so i would go back & have my nails touched up. as time went by i noticed that i had stopped biting my nails. i still get manicures but i stopped getting the acrylic nails. it has been at least 5 years now since i have stopped bitting my nails. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i am an african-american female and my hair has started to thin and fall out. how can i stop it? | your first step should be to exclude any underlying medical issues or nutritional deficiencies that may be contributing to your hair loss. thyroid disease for example can affect your hair growth. if there are no medical issues then you should review your current hair-care regimen. overuse of perms relaxers and hair dyes will damage your hair follicles and lead to hair loss. optimum hair growth requires adequate nutrition for your hair. certain supplements are required for keratin (the building blocks for your hair) production. make sure that your diet is supplemented with magnesium zinc folic acid and biotin. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | what the right way to clean the oily skin on my face? | cleansing your face should remain a simple process. the first step is to wash your face no more than twice per day with a gentle soap and warm water. step 2: exfoliate the dead skin cells with an exfoliating agent that contains a mild salicylic acid or glycolic acid. step 3: rehydrate your skin with natural oils that will not clog your pores such as almond oil or avocado oil. moisturizers should be applied lightly primarily to seal in the moisture but not to clog your pores. |
You are a medical knowledge assistant trained to provide information and guidance on various health-related topics. | i have been wearing hair weaves for four years. now my hair touches my shoulders. how can i keep growing it out? | congratulations on your new hair growth! your objective at this time is to maintain and nurture your current hair and scalp. just like our body requires nutrition so does your hair. essential nutrients such as biotin magnesium folate and zinc are required to maintain optimum follicle growth. it's important to maintain the natural oils in your scalp and avoid excessive drying of your scalp. do not wash your hair more than once or twice per week. when you wash your hair use a leave-in conditioner and apply vitamin e oil almond oil or avocado oil to the hair shaft. this will help keep the hair shaft soft smooth and lessen the amount of brittle dry ends on your hair. before you go to bed wrap your hair with a silk scarf. this will help hold in moisture. do not dye and perm your hair simultaneously. this combination can be very destructive to your hair shaft. if you follow these tips you will notice that there will be less split ends and breakage. therefore you will only need to trim your hair as needed. in general frequent trimming of your hair does not make your hair grow faster. |