Our resident Beauty Doc, Dr. Rick Wilson, loved reading your questions and he has taken time out of his very busy schedule to answer them!
From Carissa:
Dr. Wilson, I am 34, and fair with dark hair. Because I was concerned with wrinkling/spotting prevention, I saw a dermatologist and started using Retin-A micro gel in its gentlest formulation in May. Unfortunately, not only do I see almost no benefit, I have new dark spots, despite using stable sunscreens like Neutrogena 85 with Helioplex every day, reapplying, and never sitting out in the sun -- and despite using Skinceuticals Phyto+ every day for the past year, which also hasn't worked to get rid of dark spots. Should I try and get a scrip for a different retinoid, and if so, what might be best? Also, what can I do to attack dark spots? Thank you!!
From Dr. Rick Wilson:
Dear Carissa, There is a condition known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation that can occur when the skin experiences an irritation. This irritation can be caused by infections, allergic reactions, reactions to medications, to name a few. Retin-A can be quite irritating to the skin for some individuals. If you are using this product each night, your skin may be overly dry and irritated. This irritation can trigger the hyperpigmentation phenomenon. This would need to be confirmed by a dermatologist. I would suggest stopping the Retin-A. The brown pigment would then need to be treated, perhaps with a bleaching cream agent or intense pulsed light treatment. Once the pigment has been erased, you might consider Renova (a more moisturizing retinoid). We suggest using the product 2-3 times weekly and only advancing in increasing frequency if tolerated without irritation. Continue being diligent with your sunscreen! Jump to read more!
From Reader H-
My question to the acclaimed Dr. Wilson is about acne scars. I am 23 and have been suffering from pretty mild bouts of acne since my teenage years. Even though I won't have more than one or two pimples at a time, these pimples leave very dark and red scars that I can't seem to get rid of. I have extremely fair skin so you can imagine how bad this looks. My cheeks and chin especially have numerous red marks all over them, ones which I have to cover meticulously every morning as I never leave the house without make-up due to their severity. I hardly suffer from acne anymore (perhaps two or three pimples a month), but really want to get rid of the scars. I have done microdermabrasion, used glycolic peels (at the dermatologist's office as well as Natura Bisse's Extreme Glyco Peel as recommended by Tina), had the green peel twice (helped very much but new scars developed with any pimples I had after that), and also various lotions and creams and serums but nothing has helped :( Please Dr. Wilson, answer my question because you could potentially change my life! Thanks Tina! Thanks Dr. Wilson!
From Dr. Rick Wilson:
Dear H, Red marks are a common aesthetical problem after acne lesions. It is hard to predict how long these discolorations will last. Some people experience them for weeks, others for months. Every individual is different. The deeper the original acne lesion, the longer it will take the red mark to fade. First, it is important to get your acne under control to prevent new lesions from forming. Second, do not touch or pick at an acne lesion as this will contribute to the formation of a scar. Third, protect from the sun with a daily high SPF sunscreen. We recommend an SPF of 45 or higher. Depending on the type and severity of the discoloration/scar, several treatment options are available. Microdermabrasion and glycolic peels are not the treatment of choice for post acne red discolorations. Because a treatment plan for acne is so highly individualized, I recommend contacting your local cosmetic dermatologist for an evaluation and consultation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Brianne:
I am a 21 year old female with blonde hair and green eyes. For the last few years, I have been going to the tanning salon about once a week, every week. I do not burn ever nor does my skin look overly tan, as it turns my otherwise pale skin to more of a normal shade. My mom always yells at me for going tanning because both of my grandpa's had skin cancer on their faces and due to all the skin cancer hype in the news these days. My question: Am I at a higher risk of skin cancer for visiting the tanning salon once a week?
From Dr. Rick Wilson
Dear Brianne, Current evidence suggests that tanning bed use causes skin cancer. People 35 years and younger who use tanning beds regularly have an 8-fold higher risk of skin cancer than people who have never used tanning beds. Occasional tanning bed use triples the chance of getting melanoma, a life threatening form of skin cancer. The incidence of melanoma has risen from 1:1500 twenty years ago, to the current risk of 1:63. Melanoma is now the leading cause of death in young women ages 26-28. So the answer to your question is yes, you are at a higher risk for skin cancer if you use a tanning bed. If you have a blood test and discover you are deficient in Vitamin D, there are supplements that you can take. For the endorphins, keep exercising! Protecting your skin from the damaging rays from the sun now, will decrease your risk of skin cancer and keep your skin from aging prematurely!
Dr. Wilson will not be taking anymore questions until next month's column!
My question to the acclaimed Dr. Wilson is about acne scars. I am 23 and have been suffering from pretty mild bouts of acne since my teenage years. Even though I won't have more than one or two pimples at a time, these pimples leave very dark and red scars that I can't seem to get rid of. I have extremely fair skin so you can imagine how bad this looks. My cheeks and chin especially have numerous red marks all over them, ones which I have to cover meticulously every morning as I never leave the house without make-up due to their severity. I hardly suffer from acne anymore (perhaps two or three pimples a month), but really want to get rid of the scars. I have done microdermabrasion, used glycolic peels (at the dermatologist's office as well as Natura Bisse's Extreme Glyco Peel as recommended by Tina), had the green peel twice (helped very much but new scars developed with any pimples I had after that), and also various lotions and creams and serums but nothing has helped :( Please Dr. Wilson, answer my question because you could potentially change my life! Thanks Tina! Thanks Dr. Wilson!
From Dr. Rick Wilson:
Dear H, Red marks are a common aesthetical problem after acne lesions. It is hard to predict how long these discolorations will last. Some people experience them for weeks, others for months. Every individual is different. The deeper the original acne lesion, the longer it will take the red mark to fade. First, it is important to get your acne under control to prevent new lesions from forming. Second, do not touch or pick at an acne lesion as this will contribute to the formation of a scar. Third, protect from the sun with a daily high SPF sunscreen. We recommend an SPF of 45 or higher. Depending on the type and severity of the discoloration/scar, several treatment options are available. Microdermabrasion and glycolic peels are not the treatment of choice for post acne red discolorations. Because a treatment plan for acne is so highly individualized, I recommend contacting your local cosmetic dermatologist for an evaluation and consultation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Brianne:
I am a 21 year old female with blonde hair and green eyes. For the last few years, I have been going to the tanning salon about once a week, every week. I do not burn ever nor does my skin look overly tan, as it turns my otherwise pale skin to more of a normal shade. My mom always yells at me for going tanning because both of my grandpa's had skin cancer on their faces and due to all the skin cancer hype in the news these days. My question: Am I at a higher risk of skin cancer for visiting the tanning salon once a week?
From Dr. Rick Wilson
Dear Brianne, Current evidence suggests that tanning bed use causes skin cancer. People 35 years and younger who use tanning beds regularly have an 8-fold higher risk of skin cancer than people who have never used tanning beds. Occasional tanning bed use triples the chance of getting melanoma, a life threatening form of skin cancer. The incidence of melanoma has risen from 1:1500 twenty years ago, to the current risk of 1:63. Melanoma is now the leading cause of death in young women ages 26-28. So the answer to your question is yes, you are at a higher risk for skin cancer if you use a tanning bed. If you have a blood test and discover you are deficient in Vitamin D, there are supplements that you can take. For the endorphins, keep exercising! Protecting your skin from the damaging rays from the sun now, will decrease your risk of skin cancer and keep your skin from aging prematurely!
Dr. Wilson will not be taking anymore questions until next month's column!
Dr. Wilson, i'm a 21 year old female with black hair and light skin tone. i have Keratosis Pilaris on the outside of my arms and more severe form of it on my legs. my dermatologist told me to use lotion with glycolic acid, but nothing i did really helped. so please help me, thank you.
Thank you, Dr. Wilson and Tina!
I have to put in my two cents about tanning beds. I was an avid beach going/tanning bed user as a teenager. When I was 18, they found a lump on my back, they took it out and my doctor at the time told me he was 99% certain it was my abuse of tanning beds being that I have no history of cancer in my family.
Since then, I have not stepped in a tanning salon and generally wear big hats at pools or beaches.