No quick fix to skin discoloration

HI, REGINA!

I’d really like to wear shorts, but I have scars and dark spots on my legs that I’m really conscious of. Is there anything I can do about them?                  

MAY

Keep in mind that there is no quick fix for discolorations — it takes at least a month to see a significant turnover. The first thing you should do, though, is to work out why you keep getting discolorations in the first place. Is it because you’re prone to insect bites? Then start wearing insect repellent. Is it because you scratch a lot? Maybe it’s because your skin is really dry, and so you should apply body oil or body lotion regularly. There won’t be any point in fixing the discoloration if new ones are going to form anyway because you haven’t changed your habits. So once you’ve figured out the reason behind the discolorations, start doing something about them.

Whitening products might be able to help you, but that help will be very, very gradual. It’s easy to get impatient, especially when the results take forever. If you’re willing to persevere, then a body product with a high concentration of Vitamin C should be able to help you out somewhat. (I personally like Nivea’s Body Serum; and it hydrates, too!)

If you want a faster fix, though, and you’re willing to invest a little, then see your dermatologist and ask about your options. Maybe a series of chemical peels will work, maybe he/she can provide or prescribe a more clinical-strength lightener than what you can buy at the supermarket. Plus, your doctor will be able to help you determine what’s going on with your skin in the first place, and hopefully that will help you prevent further discoloration in the future.

To be honest, though, if you want to wear shorts, just go for it. I’ve always had a good number of discolorations on my own legs because I’m also very bad at applying insect repellent and lotion, and though the series of chemical peels that I did made my legs look perfect for a time, my bad habits brought the spots back, anyway. Most days, I just shrug it off and throw my cutoffs on without a care in the world. It’s all about confidence!

REGINA

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SCAR COVER-UP

HI, MS. RISSA,

I just finished reading your column in The Philippine STAR. I find your beauty tips very informative. I even texted my mother to try using Pond’s Age Miracle. I have also been using Pond’s for many years already. That’s the only moisturizer I use. Anyway, I am very insecure with my legs that I always end up wearing jeans. What can I use to cover my scars and even out the color of my legs?

SHANNON

The holiday season is kicking in and we all want to pull out those pretty frocks and look our best. Please try Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs. It’s like foundation for the legs but comes in a convenient spray can. It hides imperfections like scars, veins, bruises, and discolorations. It promises to be water-resistant and won’t rub off on clothes.

I’ve been seeing this for the longest time and finally had the chance to try it. The natural-looking color is impressive! I also like that it has no irritating smell. It can get a bit thick when applied too closely but really delivers flawless-looking legs. To make it even look more natural, spray it on your hand and mix it with a lightweight lotion before spreading it on your legs.

To improve skin discoloration on your legs over time, I also suggest you use Vaseline Healthy White Insta Fair Lotion. When my back got discolored from lying down on a chair massager with heated roller balls, I used this diligently every day and it wonderfully corrected the discoloration over a short period of time.

RISSA

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FACELIFT WITHOUT SURGERY

DEAR LUCY,

What exactly is Ulthera and will it really make me look younger? I am 48 years old and a surgical facelift is not an option for me.                           

HELEN

I checked with the Belo Medical Group and I found out that the Ulthera is “a device that makes use of focused ultrasound which works well to tighten, lift, and contour the face. It also makes use of the Deep SEE technology that allows the simultaneous visualization of the layers of the skin that are being treated.” It is very effective for lifting and tightening because the Ulthera acts on the deep dermal layer, targeting the subcutaneous and connective tissues to help stimulate the production of new collagen while sparing the superficial layer of the skin.

There are short-term effects like redness and warmth on the area treated, but the treatment is well tolerated by most patients. The effects last for about a year and the earliest you can repeat the treatment would be six months after. It would be best for you to have your skin professionally assessed by a dermatologist so that the procedure can be explained to you in full.

There are other available treatments at the Belo Medical Group, like the Embedded Protein Fiber which is an advanced traditional acupuncture therapy inserted into the problem areas of the face to correct volume loss, fine wrinkles, and mild sagging. Ask about it, too.          

LUCY

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Send e-mail to Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Trillo at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil. Send Regina Belmonte your questions at vivatregina.tumblr@gmail.com or tweet her @vivatregina.