Skinrepublic

Dear Dr. Jen,

I am 6 months pregnant and have noticed so many changes on my skin. I thought I was only supposed to deal with stretch marks. My neck, armpits and feet seemed to have grown darker everyday.  The skin tags on my neck and chest have multiplied.  Please help, I feel so ugly.  Are there any safe creams that can prevent all of these changes?

Claudine

Dear Claudine,

Congratulations on your pregnancy!  As you have already noticed your body is changing so much as you try to support the little life growing inside your belly.  Acne, stretch marks, darkened underarm, freckles, sun spots and moles are unwanted bonuses. 

One of the things giving life to your baby is the hormones coursing through your body. As a side effect, the hormones also cause the growth of skin tags and the darkening of some areas.  The darkening of the neck, underarms, elbows and knees is only temporary and will fade a few months after you give birth.  At this point, it is not safe to use any bleaching agents because this is not a medical emergency. You can however, minimize the underarm darkening by using mild, non-irritating anti-perspirants. 

As for the skin tags, there is no cream that can dissolve them.  Removal through excision, cautery, freezing or laser can be done after the baby is born. Usually the first few months after giving birth, more skin tags will make an appearance. Best to wait until the baby is 6 months old so that all skin tags will be removed in one visit.

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Dear Dr. Jen,

Can anything be done for spider veins on the face?  My doctor recommended IPL. How safe is this procedure?

Joyce

Dear Joyce,

Facial veins can be bothersome and may even seem transparent inspite of heavy foundation.  Intense pulse light (IPL, and not a real laser) is not the primary machine of choice for spider vein removal. Facial spider veins can easily be treated with Nd:Yag laser or pulsed dye laser, probably requiring more than one session. It is a safe procedure and will show temporary darkening or violaceous pigmentation over the treated area.

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Dear Dr. Jen,

I have eczema and I want to have beautiful skin.  Should I drink a certain vitamin or is there a cream that is specially formulated for eczematous skin?

Lexi

Dear Lexi,

Eczematous skin is notoriously known to be dry and itchy.  Transepidermal water loss is one of the root of having dry skin.  There are numerous creams that you can maintain that is beneficial for atopic dermatitis. Steroids need not be used if you know how to give your skin the hydration it deserves.

Finding a cream-based, “hypoallergenic” and “fragrance-free” product is a major key to eczema treatment.  This needs to be used twice or thrice a day to make sure that skin never dries up.  Also, some fragrances, perfumes and scented soaps are to be avoided.  Fragrance can be a trigger to eczema flare ups.  An initial check up with your PDS derma can set you in the right direction. You can bring a list of cosmetics, soaps, lotions that are in your arsenal.  Your doctor can help you throw out harmful products and teach you which ones to keep.

Dr Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS).  She is affiliated with Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH).   For other information on PDS, check http://www.pds.org.ph/. If you have any questions or concerns please text, email or call (the Freeman or PSH): 0932 857 7070 or <[email protected]> or (032) 233 8620 or 232 5929. Your inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.