Skinrepublic

Dear Dr. Jen,

I had a pimple injected twice to flatten it but after a week it grew back with a big bump. What is the cause of this? Should I have it injected again? Thanks.

Mary

Dear Mary,

Your average pimple will usually respond in two to three days after injecting with a steroid. Intralesional steroid injections are the fastest solution if you want the pimple to go away asap and will avoid ice-pick scars especially when caught early on. The steroid goes directly to the area where it's supposed to work avoiding steroid acne (from topical steroids) and preventing systemic absorption. However, some pimples contain pus. This will need drainage before injecting the medicine. Pricking and prodding by an untrained hand can likewise lead to pus build-up.

In any case that the pimple may have been mistaken for something bigger like a carbuncle (when two or more follicles get infected), injection and drainage is not enough. Antibiotics will have to be prescribed. 

You can have it injected again but prior to that DO (1) check if it is the dermatologist doing it and not just an aesthetician, (2) drainage of pus be done first, and lastly (3) the dermatologist has eliminated the diagnosis of carbuncle or abscess. 

Hope that pimple disappears fast.

Dear Dr. Jen,

What exactly is a glycolic peel and what does it do? The spa wants me to get one and they just told me it's for whitening my skin.

Ina

Dear Ina,

Glycolic peel is one of my favorite chemical peels. It is an alpha hydroxyl acid, derived from food like tomatoes and milk. It basically loosens the stratum corneum, which is made up of dead skin cells. This will slough off naturally. The best thing about glycolic peel is that it functions through microscopic peeling. Meaning you don't get the awful sheet-like peeling like when you get a sunburn. You will feel some tingling and minimal itching for a few seconds before it is neutralized. It may become slightly scaly if you are super sensitive but it will only last a day. The over all effect is smoother and brighter skin. It may contain a little drying effect on pimples and may even lighten some dark spots. 

The thing about glycolic acid is that it has a time-dependent element. This can burn your skin if the one doing it is not trained to know how long it should stay. Each person has a different threshold, depending on skin type. Also, glycolic acid comes in different concentrations. Each concentration varies on skin type and area to be treated. Because of time-dependence and concentration variance, I cannot stress enough how important it is that a trained PDS dermatologist be doing it to get the desired effect. Otherwise, you will not get your money's worth or worse yet, may even get burned. 

Glycolic acid peel is a wonderful and affordable maintenance (every two weeks) just to get the bright, flawless skin that we see in Hollywood stars. There are many trained PDS dermas out there who will be able to perform this. Hope you get to enjoy its benefits soon!

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/