All posts in Dr. Irwin’s answer to reader’s question

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Reader’s Question

I have dark patches around my smiling line. I have tried so many products yet not effective. What shall i do?

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Dr. Irwin’s Answer

If you have tried several drugstore remedies without any improvement, it’s time to see your dermatologist! It could be melasma or sun damage or something else, and there are lasers or peels or prescription creams which may work, but all start with going to see a dermatologist. See: http://www.skintour.com/trusted-experts

Dr. Irwin

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Reader’s Question

I’ve got uneven skin tone. The skin of my neck, butt, knees, elbows are way darker than my original olive tone. One aesthetician told me use an 15-20% glycolic acid lotion but since I can’t buy online I need a product from drug store. Which drug store product is good? What’s your advice for my problem?
thanks

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Dr. Irwin’s Answer

Often, in a situation like this, it’s good to start with the more gentle version of the product and see how that works first. These are not prescription items. You could try the glycolic lotion 10% but you will need to use it for 8 weeks to see if it helps. If you get irritated with it, stop like product like it states on the label. If you’re not better then, you need to see a dermatologist. Higher strength glycolics can be irritating  and may make pigment problems worse. See more about color and texture issues http://www.skintour.com/guide-to-cosmetic-areas/color-and-texture-issues.

Dr. Irwin

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Reader’s Question

Hi Dr.Brandith,
My name is Katrin, I’m 26 years old and for the past years I have suffered a lot of ance, I been to many dermatologists, the first dermatologist sent me Accutane I have it for two years, after 3 months to take Accutane my skin was God and I had nothing of acne. my Dr. told me that after the two years of drinking accutane I would never suffer again with acne, I went back to another doctor and they send me again Accutane, but I do not want to take this medicine because it is bad, I’m writing to you because I need help and some advice , what you can recommend me??
thanks

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Dr. Irwin’s Answer

Dear Katrin.
I’m so sorry but your problem is way too complicated for an email response. You clearly have suffered quite a bit with this and seen several dermatologists. I would highly recommend the Mayo Clinic in either Arizona or Minnesota. They both have excellent dermatology departments. An academic center (at a University) would be better in your situation. Look for the University nearest to you and make an appointment with the Dermatology department. Or see my list of the best derms in the US: http://www.skintour.com/trusted-experts/your-regional-guide-to-excellent-cosmetic-dermatologists

Dr. Irwin

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Reader’s Question

For the past seven months I’ve been practicing Bikram yoga 4-5 times a week, I love the practice but experience acne in the areas that most of the sweat occurs. I keep a very strict clean diet and have started taking Vitamin A, C, D, E, B-complex and Zinc in hopes of clearing my skin. The problem I’m having now is Vitamin A [I think] is interfering with my periods [late last month and this month]. Is there anything else you recommend me doing, should I stop Vitamin A to get my periods back on track?

Thank you!

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Dr. Irwin’s Answer

These are all good questions. Your period change could be due to many things. It makes sense to me to try stopping the vitamin A first (and never take more than 5,000 iu a day anyway). If your periods aren’t normal in a month or two though, please see your doctor.

Remember that acne is primarily due to hormones. I wish acne could be cured with diet but unfortunately even good changes don’t help much. It’s great that you’re making the healthy choices for lots of other reasons though! In my opinion, all that heat and sweating on top of your normal hormones will make it difficult to control the acne. Could you do Bikram yoga 1-2 times a week and regular yoga on the other days? If you don’t clear up when you change your yoga, please see your dermatologist.

Just like you need a balance of different foods for healthy eating, you need a balance of different exercise for healthy muscles and joints. A regimen of yoga 2-3 times a week alternating with a mix of some walking, running, swimming, pilates (whatever you like best) …… etc. would be better than yoga 4-5 times a week over the long run. Hope this helps.

Dr. Irwin

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Reader’s Question

I’ve been battling acne for almost 8 years now. It’s been getting worse. I have acne prone, oily, sensitive skin. I’ve tried everything from drugstore to proactiv to murad to burtsbees. Nothing has worked for me. I’ve stuck out each regimen for the recommended time and each time, my skin is filled with pimples and later, acne scars. I’m traumatized at how my skin’s behaving. I have been to a dermatologist who just prescribed benzoyl peroxide and tazorac both of which my skin is sensitive too. I’m about to try birth control pills but Do you have any recommendations of what I should do? Thank you

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Dr. Irwin’s Answer

I would recommend getting a second opinion from another dermatologist. If you have true cystic or pustular acne with scarring, you are a candidate for Accutane. A 6 month course of Accutane (or it’s generic form) dosed at approximately 1 mg/kg of lean body weight will cure this type of acne 80-90% of the time. I really think discussing this with your dermatologist is important. Our office and other good offices follow the FDA recommended iPledge guidelines to the letter. When you call to make your appointment to discuss this, please make sure that the office has the iPledge program in place. Also you can learn more here: http://www.skintour.com/in-depth/acne. I hope this helps.

Dr. Irwin

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Reader’s Question

i have recently brought a kathy dallas kd-12 cream.. i am having doubts about using it because i cant find any reviews online about it. can u please tell me your opinion about it.

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Dr. Irwin’s Answer

I’m sorry but I’m not familiar with that brand cream, so cannot advise about it. However, here is a link to the antioxidant, anti-aging and repair creams I have tried and absolutely recommend: http://www.skintour.com/anti-aging-and-wrinkle-repair. Good luck!

Dr. Irwin

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Reader’s Question

I m 19 year girl my docter advised me to use acnestar soap to reduce pimples after using that i had small dark hairs in my upper lip my family advised me to rub it off wlth turmeric power the hair is gone but i notice dark stains like moustache naked What shall i do to get rid off it

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Dr. Irwin’s Answer

Wow – that’s one I’ve never heard – about rubbing tumeric powder on the skin to remove hair. I love tumeric to cook with but I really wouldn’t advise rubbing it on your skin because it will stain it. That sounds like exactly what happened. Basically it should come off within a couple of weeks as it’s just the cells of the outer dead layer (stratum corneum) that are stained. Please do NOT over scrub this trying to get it off. It will cause irritation which could cause more pigment to develop. Just very gently use a wash cloth on it every 2-3 days and it should gradually lighten. If it doesn’t, see a dermatologist please.

Dr. Irwin

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Reader’s Question

I’ve been suffering from severe acne for the past 13 years! I’ve tried everything from Diane-35 birth control pills to Accutane. Nothing helps, the Accutane did helped when i was on it. But once i stop, my acne came back as well. Not as severe as before but my skin is not totally healed. Because of the severe ance i had in the past & now, i have severe pitted holes scares all over my entire face. I undergo laser – C02 Fractional Laser which most Dermatologist advised me to do to help smoothen my scars. I’ve already done it 8 times but i see no improvement. And now I’m starting to doubt if this laser even works. The scars are still deep & ugly. I am at the end of the knot, i don’t know what to do anymore. The acne, the scars is just tearing myself esteem down. Pls advise. Thank you

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Dr. Irwin’s Answer

My heart goes out to you. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot and the problem still isn’t solved. I’m not sure why all the different treatments you’ve done aren’t helping. This is one of those situations where I think you really need a second and perhaps even a third opinion because your situation is so complicated. Look at the AAD.org site to find a board certified dermatologist in your area, or see my list of recommended dermatologists in every major city: http://www.skintour.com/trusted-experts/your-regional-guide-to-excellent-cosmetic-dermatologists.

Dr. Irwin

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