Rx for keloids

Dear Lucy,
I’m 45 and my problem is my keloid, which is about 2 cm. in diameter and located right on my cleavage. It seems to be growing bigger and more painful, especially on cold days. What shall I do to prevent it from growing? Is there a medicine/ointment/cream that would help to at least shrink it and reduce the pain? If I resort to surgery, how much will it cost? – Nenet

According to Dr. Sheila Acosta of the Belo Medical Group, for keloids, surgery is definitely not an option because patients who really are keloid formers will repeatedly form keloids each time they undergo a surgical procedure. At the Belo Medical Group, they do the following treatment options for flattening of keloids and cessation of itching and pain: intralesional injection of Triamcinolone Suspension, laser treatments using Multiclear (Alabang branch), Pulse Dye Laser (Medical Plaza branch), and IPL (Greenhills, Alabang, Medical Plaza). Repeated sessions on these treatments are necessary to achieve better results. – Lucy

* * * Spot Check

Dear Mary,
I had nice kayumanggi skin when I was in primary school until I had chicken pox. This didn’t really bother me much until I had skin irritation, which left some dark spots. From then on, I went down hill. My skin reacts to perfumed soaps. I even have really dark underarms because deodorants irritate my skin. There was a time when I couldn’t eat certain foods. I live abroad, so whenever I go to hot countries, I can’t wear sleeveless clothes because of the unsightly spots. I’m going home in less than two weeks. I’d like to ask for the contact number of a good dermatologist, preferably the one that you actually go to. – Janis

There are two dermatologists that I can highly recommend. One is Dr. Manuel Fernandez, who is also a plastic surgeon, and another is Dr. Filomena Montinola. Both are at the Makati Medical Center. I’m sure that either can help you. – Mary

* * * Wanted: A Gem Of A Jeweler

Dear Tingting,
I recently received an antique watchface from my grandmother and I’d like to make a bracelet for it. However, I’d like to preserve its beauty and value by getting a nice bracelet to go with it, one that’s elegant, classic, and dazzling. Do you know of any jeweler in Manila who is artistic and uses quality semi-precious stones, pearls, Swarovski crystals, and most especially lampwork beads as accessories? I don’t know anybody using lampwork beads. – Cindy

I suggest you look for Candy Dizon whose mother owns a bead store at Edsa Shangri-La named Jul Dizon. They also have a branch at The Peninsula in Makati by the same name. Look for Jul’s children Cid and Janina. – Tingting

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