Dr Karen Soh, medical director at Prive Aesthetics, on tackling dark spots and wrinkly hands.
Dr Karen Soh, medical director at Prive Aesthetics, on tackling dark spots and wrinkly hands.
How can I reduce the look of dark spots caused by excessive sun exposure? Angelyn Tan
Topical treatments and prescription products with brightening ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C and hydroquinone can help lighten surface-level spots. If there isn’t visible improvement after using them, consult a dermatologist to see if you’re a suitable candidate for treatments such as chemical peels, laser therapy and dermabrasion.
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Do you recommend the use of facial oils? Priscilla L.
If you have dry skin and find that your moisturiser doesn’t provide sufficient hydration, facial oils may be just what you need. As we age, natural oils in the skin decrease and its moisture barrier weakens, resulting in drier skin and other issues such as wrinkles. While most creams contain a little oil, the amount isn’t enough to make up for the loss of moisture. Since oils are lipophilic, or fat-loving, they pass though the lipid layer of the skin faster to help prevent water loss and plump skin more effectively.
I’ve noticed that my hands are starting to look wrinkly and crepey even though I use hand creams often – is there any other way to keep my hands looking youthful? Maureen Yip.
Microdermabrasion could help. A non-chemical, non-invasive procedure, it removes the outermost layer of dry, dead skin cells to reveal younger- and healthier-looking skin. It also encourages the production of collagen and elastin, which further improves the look of your hands. Alternatively, you can try fillers. Once injected, the filler is massaged across the back of the hand to plump up the entire area.
Another option is Thermage, which utilises radio-frequency energy to heat up and tighten existing collagen, while stimulating the production of new collagen to help plump and smooth skin. You can also consider laser skin resurfacing treatments, which stimulate the production of collagen and elastin to firm the skin on your hands and reduce the look of wrinkles.
Have a beauty question? E-mail us at magherworld@sph.com.sg. Please include your full name, address and a daytime phone number. The reader whose question is chosen each month stands to win skincare from Prive Aesthetics.
