Want to bring in Christmas and New Year’s with flawless skin?

Following is the transcript of the live chat held with Dr Apratim Goel, dermatologist on November 28, 2011 at 2pm

Welcome to the TimesWellness.com chat with Dr Apratim Goel, dermatologist, who will answer your queries regarding skincare and skin related problems.

DrGoel: Hi Guys. This is YFNDDG. means. Your friendly neighbourhood dermatologist Dr Apratim Goel. Welcome to this session on winter skincare tips and other skin queries. Just a request. Please mention your age and place of residence also.

Sharanya: My skin gets very dry during winter. What can i do to take care of my skin?

DrGoel: Well same mistake again. How old are you and where do you stay. However for the info provided all I can say is that you must use a creme face wash like cetaphil or creme lavante from uriage. Also use acne moist cream daily morning and atogla lotion at night on skin.

Trupti: Hi Dr, I have been experiencing a lot of dandruff, which is resulting in pimples as well. My scalp also feels itchy. What can I do?

DrGoel: Apply ultiderm lotion on scalp 2 hrs prior to bath. Wash with Arcolane shampoo. At night apply no skurf lotion on scalp and leave it overnight. There is a definite connection between acne and dandruff. DO NOT OIL YOUR HAIR THINKING YOU WILL CORRECT DANDRUFF AND HENCE CORRECT ACNE. This will worsen the acne.

Shashank: When I am shaving, my hair becomes thicker and makes it ifficukt to shave. What can I do?

DrGoel: Well Shashank with thick hair and shaving related problems, the only permanent solution will be to do the permanent laser hair removal. Since the problem is due to shaving and the ingrown hair, it
will not resolve with any topical creams and lotions. you may find a temporary relief but then again when you shave next time, the problem will be same. So the best solution is to consult someone for laser hair removal in your place.

Ritu: I am 40 years old and I have pigmentation on my both cheeks so, how can I remove it?

DrGoel: Ritu you could be having melasma which is a hormonal pigmentation. There is lots you can do about it but I would like to know some more details of the condition. how and when it started. there are topical creams that can be applied, ;lasers as well as peels that can be done.

Henna: Hi Dr.I am facing acne problem since past 4 - 5 years and have taken loads of treatment which has resulted in thinning of my skin . although i do still get ance and also have acne scars but i cant use
medicine because my skin has gone too sensitive . how do i get rid of my acne problem and my open pores tht have been developed on my faCE over time ?

DrGoel: If you say your skin has undergone thinning then you could have used some steroids. However now you must consult a dermatologist as there are many medical modalities of treating acne. steroids are not indicated at all.You could be having hormonal imbalance and pills may be required. so please consult some derm in your area. If you in Mumbai, you can consult me. I have a clinic in bandra and the other one in south Mumbai.

Sanaya: Whenever I get a breakout my skin has a tendency to scar. Are there any over the counter medications that you recommend? Is Lacto Calamine good for scars?

DrGoel: Lacto calamine does nothing to the scars dear. You can apply silicone gel which is available as vaniza, contractubex or scanil gel. But this is again not 100% curative. If there is a genetic tendency for acne the scars are bound to form. However there are treatments like dermaroller, lasers and peels that can treat the scars very effecyively. But the key point here is that when you get acne treat them as soon as possible. Dont self medicate and delay. The more acne stays on your skin the more chances of scar formation.

Abhishek: During winters I tend to get white patches on my arms and legs after a shower. Till the point I apply a moisturiser my skin feels scaly and brittle. What can I do?

DrGoel: You must no doubt use a moisturiser soon after bath on the whole body. If possible use it once at night as well. However I would also suggest that you get your thyroid levels chcked. In addition in winters take Cap Primosa 1000mg 1 daily for 2 months. After breakfast. Also avoid direct exposure to sun for long times

Tulip: Hi Doc. I am getting married next month. I have suddenly been breaking out in acne. I am scared to use makeup but still would want to look my best on my D day. What makeup can I use?

DrGoel: Congrats Tulip. Firstly i would like to know what are you doing about your acne. Are you being treated elsewhere or not. If not asap start the medical treatment. OCP's could be the ideal choice for you for next 2-3 months if you are not planning to conceive soon after wedding. Regarding makeup, you can use MAC products, but make sure that you do one cleanup at least 2 weeks prior to wedding. Avoid doing any facials prior to the wedding.

Ritu: I am having this pigmentation from last 3 years and I have oily skin. I have tried all expensive creams but no result is coming. So, can you please suggest some tablets ?

DrGoel: Ritu ifair tabs are oral glutathione tablets that work well for skin lightening if taken for 2-3 months. They are strong antioxidants also and you could take them. But if they are melasma patches then doing spot peels or lasers would be a better option.

Christy:  What are the fruits or veg I should include in my diet to help my skin stay soft and supple during the winters?

DrGoel:  Well I am not the best person for this advice. There are also no winter fruits as such. I always feel one must go with the seasonal fruits and veggies and winters is the time when these are plenty. Yes you must include lots of dry fruits in your daily diet in winters especially almonds, walnuts and pistas.

sonali: I suffer from open pores, dry skin, fine laugh lines on my face. Its become 4-5 shades darker than my neck since 2-3 yrs. Have tried chemical peels, dermabrasion, glavanic, rf, skin polish, also strea cap, yugard, blift, kojiglo, clearz as per my docs advice but no effect. Cant afford these sessions now. I need a daily regime. I use sunscreen spf 40. Can i buy dermaroller, dermawand? From where? I'm 33yrs unmarried, working woman. Am healthy, eat and sleep well don't smoke or drink. Please advice.

DrGoel: Get the blood tests for thyroid and PCOD. Once that is ruled out, start cap Primosa 1000 and Cap radiance 1 daily for 3 months after breakfast. Use face wash and sunscreen daily morning. Photoderm from bioderma 50 spf is good. Night wash face, and use a plain moisturiser like atogla lotion. If there is pigmentation just use, depiwhite oint only on those spots at night. Do a clean up once in 6 weeks.

Akanksha: Hi, I recently developed breakouts on my back. Although the breakouts have settled the marks are still there and look pretty bad. Is there any lotion I can use?

DrGoel: Use retino a - 0.05% and melacare forte oint on alternate night on the marks. You could also get
done 1-2 TCA peels and winters is the best time to do peels and lasers.

Ruchika: Hi Dr. I have sensitive skin and tend to breakout when using moisturisers for normal skin. Is there any specific kind of moisturiser that I need to use?

DrGoel: Ya. Wash your face with cetaphil cleanser and also use emolene lotion for face as moisturiser.

sonali: Thanks doc, the skin tone is uneven, so can i use depiwhite all over the face? Also needed to check if i can buy dermaroller or dermawand for home use? From where?

DrGoel: Nope dont buy any rollers. They will sensitise the face. Dry skin will anyways absorb the products well. First you concentrate on hydrating your skin. Yes you can use depiwhite all over face but
once the face starts clearing, then use it only on spots.

Nishant: Hi Doc, can you suggest something for melasma. I am basically a marketing guy with sun exposure as well.

DrGoel: Well since sun aggravates melasma, I am not sure how would you manage. However I strongly
recommend Obagi nuderm kit for the melasma management. It gives beautiful clearing of skin. However read the instructions properly bfore starting. It is a physician prescribed product.

Rohan: I am 22 and have started developing cracks on my feet. I wear closed shoes and socks and use normal body lotion but still get cracks. Along with that my lips feel parched as well. What can I do?

DrGoel: Well take Cap omega 369 2 daily for 1 month. Also moisturize the skin soon after bath with a long acting moisturizer like DAM from cetaphil ( galderma). At night pn your hands and feet apply the xerina cream from ranbaxy. It is awesome. and for lips, use the sebamed or uriage lip balm.

Nina: Hi I have wheatish complxion and get white rough patches due to the sun. what can I do? Please help

DrGoel: Just suncreen and a moisturizer will help. Use bioderma photoderm spot sunscreen lotion daily morning and venusia lotion at night on full face. You will be fine

CheerfulBOBBY: Hello Doctor, I am suffering with the problem of Dandruff ? can you please suggest any proper Shampoo which really can help to relieve me from Dandruff. As I have used all sort of International Brand like Pantene, Heads & Shoulders, Sunsilk, Dove & even Himalaya

DrGoel: Bobby dandruff is a tendency of scalp and there is nothing that can clear it forever. However you can use the apporopriate medication and shampoo once a week or once in 15 days, and keep it under control. Use the No skurf lotion on scalp at night and morning wash with ionax-T shampoo. use this only once a week.Confirm that it is dandruff and not psoriasis. Refrain from oiling your hair too much and dont leave the oil overnight

Lavina: Hi Dr... I develop rashes after a bath. Could I be allergic to water? What can I do? It stays for 30 min or more and I get a burning sensation. I am just 18

DrGoel: It could be urticaria. Consult a skin specialist. Till then take a tab lerafil once a day and apply desowen lotion on the rashes. But asap get in touch with a dermatologist.

Neha: Hello Doctor, are there any quick remedies for red scars left by adult acne? I also have small red raised bumps on my cheeks.

DrGoel: Yes there is. We can inject the enzyme into it or else you can also use the clindoxyl gel on the spot at night. However you can conceal it with makeup if it does not clear totally to your expectation.

admin:  If you have any more questions for Dr Goel, log on to www.timeswellness.com/asktheexpert

DrGoel:  Oops time out. sorry guys. By the time I get to enjoy the chat its over. But we will meet soon. For those whom I could not reach, please mail me your details at the website mentioned above. i promise to be fast and get back to you as soon as possible. enjoy the winters and have a lovely skin. till then. Good bye and all the best.