Skin Republic

Dear Dr. Jen,

My hair is very brittle. I noticed that I often get split ends. What shampoo can you recommend?

Suzie

Dear Suzie,

Split ends or trichoptilosis is caused by hair that has undergone a lot of stress. Physical stress includes frequent use of tools that heat hair for curling or straightening. Chemical stress includes hair that has undergone perming or coloring. Frequent washing and vigorous brushing of wet hair can also give you split ends. All these will strip away the hair cuticle and make the cortex unprotected leading to split ends and hair breakage.

Unfortunately, there is no miracle shampoo that can cure trichoptilosis. There are some shampoos that can give you the "appearance" of split ends-free hair. Conditioner will certainly help in making it less dry. You can get rid of it by doing two things. First is to cut the hair above the level where the split ends mostly are. Make sure the hair dresser will use sharp scissors as blunt ones can also give you split ends. Second, you need to prevent doing the things that will give you split ends. Wishing you split-ends free hair this summer!

Dear Dr. Jen,

We went to Boracay last week. Mylegs had a lot of red bites that look bigger than the usual mosquito bites. It is very itchy and even a little painful. There were hardly any mosquitoes at our resort. I don't know where I got the insect bites. What can I apply to help with the itchiness?

Nicole

Dear Nicole,

Ooh those sand flea bites can be really, really itchy. Sand flea bites can be larger and more itchy than mosquito bites. The organism is found in sandy areas and can jump to as high as about 40cm. It is generally more itchy since sand flea bites tend to form hives and welts.

Treatment with antihistamines (desloratidine, levocetirizine, loratidine, cetirizine, or hydroxyzine) once daily is essential to keep the itchiness at bay. Application of a steroid lotion twice a day will help with the rashes. Also, taking colloidal oatmeal baths can relieve the itchiness too. Hope it didn't ruin your vacation!

If you have any questions or concerns please text 0922 845 5556 or email [email protected].

Dr Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS). She is affiliated with Perpetual Succour Hospital. For other information on PDS, check http://www.pds.org.ph/