Treating Common Skin Issues

Many of my patients come in for the same common skin concerns. They are typically unaware of what their problem is called or how easily it can be treated. The four most common include Poikiloderma, melasma, broken capillaries or ingrown hairs.

Poikiloderma is basically a combination of blood vessels, redness and discolorations that commonly occur secondary to sun exposure either on the face, neck or chest areas. This extra pigmentation of the skin is usually displayed in a variety of shades and associated with widened capillaries in the affected area. Effective treatment methods include intense pulsed lights/IPL and fractional laser technologies.

Melasma, another frequent problem, is a skin condition presented as brown patches on the face. In many cases, both sides of the face are affected and most often seen on the cheeks, bridge of the nose, forehead, and upper lip. Unfortunately for women, melasma occurs mainly in females, as only about 10 percent of men are affected. This condition is also more prevalent among Hispanics, Asians, Indians, and people from the Middle East and Africa.

Also known as the "mask of pregnancy," melasma can be secondary to pregnancy, or in women who are genetically predisposed and go on hormone therapy. While it is made worse by excessive sunlight exposure, it can be treated in the dermatologist's office using Retin-A, hydroquinone compounds, superficial chemical peels or new-generation Q-switched and fractional laser technologies. It is most important to be sure to protect yourself everyday using a broad-spectrum sunblock when you go out because this condition will recur if you do not use adequate sun protection.

Broken blood vessels are a common problem on the face, nose, chest and arms. They usually occur either on a genetic or a sun-induced basis. New generation pulsed dye and KTP lasers can easily and painlessly remove these unwanted vessels in a single session and are cost effective.

Finally, we come to ingrown hairs. From women who get ingrown hairs in the bikini area or on their chin, to African-American men who are more susceptible to ingrown hairs - this condition plagues many individuals. The bright side is that these ingrown hairs, and the subsequent inflammation, can be treated by combinations of topical antibiotics and hydrocortisone lotion derivatives.

If it is a recurrent problem, new generation advanced hair removal laser technologies including at-home laser technologies such as the no!-no! or Tria and Silk'naC/ can also be very effective to decrease the inflammation. Keeping your face and body moisturized and exfoliated can help to dramatically reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs, as well as using specialized soothing products such as Barc Skincare's Barc Bump Down.

Although a high percentage of the population is affected by these common skin problems, we are fortunate to live in a time where there are so many advanced alternatives to treat them.

Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at

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