Blog with Dr. Irwin

Blotchiness

Help with dull looking skin.

Posted in Pigment problems, Brown Spots, Blotchiness, 2011 on Jun 11, 2011 | Permalink

hello Dr. Irwin first of all i love your suggestions it helped me a lot. so my problem is like this- i am from India. naturally i have fair coloured skin. i am 14 years old . but from 2 or 3 years . my skin is getting dull. when i clean my skin it gets glowing but after few hours it again gets dull. is it because my diet? and i have dark circles also. i sleep enough ? how can i get rid of them.

Thank you for writing. Can you write again and give me a little more information. Is your skin dry, oily, acne prone? Are you putting anything on your skin after you wash? Are you... more

How can I sort out all the different laser technologies and find a good doctor?

Posted in Lasers, Finding a Good Doctor, Brown Spots, Blotchiness, 2011 on Apr 16, 2011 | Permalink

I am considering a laser treatment for my face to just rejuvenate and even out the skin tone. I would also like to fix some broken blood vessels. I have no idea what type of laser procedure to look for and how to make sure the doctor is qualified to perform it. Is it a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon that I need to find? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Okay - to start, read my articles on lasers to learn what type of results each laser can provide. Also, look at my directory of excellent cosmetic dermatologists in the U.S. to help you... more

What are these red spots on my forehead?

Posted in Brown Spots, Blotchiness, 2011 on Mar 23, 2011 | Permalink

About 2 years ago I started getting red spots on my forehead that eventualy turned to brown spots. This is happening more lately, last Sunday I woke up and the whole section above my left eyebrown was freckled red. What is this stuff? I am 52 years old, no hormone replacement.

There are about 10 (at least!) different skin diseases or problems that can cause red spots on the face that then turn brown. Please, please see a good Dermatologist and get an accurate... more

What can I do about melasma?

Posted in Pigment problems, Melasma, Brown Spots, Blotchiness, 2010 on Oct 03, 2010 | Permalink | View Comments (1)

Dr. Irwin, I was diagnosed by a dermatologist a few years ago with melasma. I have also had slight acne and with my pregnancy 2 years ago my melasma was really dark. I am 35 years old and the melasma and acne started in my late late 20's. I have had numerous laser treatments (ip-Fraxel) and they helped some and broke up some spots but I still have really dark spots all over my face. It is uneven all over and very oily. I'm searching for a good glycolic peel but have not decided on anything. Do you have any recommendations on what to try now or what type of peel to use. I used the Obagi for months and still use some of the products but the hydroquinone didn't seem to make a difference. Help DWebb

I still think that melasma is the toughest problem to treat because there is no cure for it - just good control. You will absolutely need the help of a dermatologist who's interested in... more

I'm concerned about possible side effects of photorejuvenation - what should I watch out for?

Posted in Lasers, IPL, Brown Spots, Blotchiness, 2010 on Jul 08, 2010 | Permalink

Dr. Irwin: Your website has been extremely helpful - thank you! I have been thinking about Photorejuvenation for brown spots on my face. I have them on my upper lip & a few on my cheeks. Just as you said in the video - "many people are scared of lasers" well I am one of those people. I have read a great deal online & have discussed the treatment with a local doctor, but still have concerns. First, I have read about the "striping" that can occur after - how common is this; what % of people would you say this happens to; how long does this effect last; what's done to correct it? Is there typically any crusting of the brown spots after a treatment, if so what % of people experience this? Finally, what % of people actually see results from the treatment, if done properly? I guess, my fear is making the "problem" worse because of the "striping" & is the cost worth it? I looked at your recommendations for local doctors - do you know of anyone in the Cleveland, Ohio area? Thanks so much....

These are all good questions. My concern is that when you saw your local doctor these questions weren't answered. I would recommend getting a second opinion from another office and... more

How can I get rid of sun spots if I work outside???

Posted in Sun Protection, Sun Damage, Skin Care Products, Brown Spots, Blotchiness, 2010 on Jun 21, 2010 | Permalink

Dr. I, Your site is Fabulous!!!! You are so helpful...thank you. I am outside (work) during the day. I have sun spots that I am trying to manage. I use the sunscreens (zinclear and colorscience)to protect and I do IPLs in hope of lightening and minimizing the spots. I have been using the obagi blender and retina A once a week. I use it on my last day of work because then I have the tree days out of the sun. Is this enough to make a difference or should I just not use it till the winter. I want to do away with these spots all together!!!! They bother me. I have olive skin and I am 39. Thank you for your help!!

Thank you! I'm having so much fun doing this. You're doing a good basic job I can tell. Here are some thoughts for fine tuning more. Do you have a hat with a good brim?? Hats are... more

What are these red and brown spots on my legs?

Posted in Brown Spots, Blotchiness, 2010 on May 18, 2010 | Permalink

Dear Dr. Irwin, I am 54 years old and in menopause. The past 4 years I have brown spots on both legs below the knee. I get more and more usually starting as red botches and then turning brown, in all sizes. What can I do? Grateful for your help. Regards Ruth Sternberg Gothenburg, Sweden

Dear Ruth:

Do you have a dermatologist nearby? I think it would be good for you to see one. What you're describing sounds like something called Schamberg's disease but it's absolutely... more

How do I construct a great skin care regimen?

Posted in Vitamins for Skin, Vitamin C, Sun Protection, Sun Damage, Skin Care Products, Skin Care, RenovaRetinoids, Renova Retinoids and Vitamin A Creams, Pigment problems, Maintenance, Cosmeceuticals, Cell growth factors, Brown Spots, Blotchiness on Apr 18, 2010 | Permalink

Hi Dr. I!I have a question regarding skin care products. I am such a fan that I have aquired the products you use and recommend to see what works for me. I guess at this point I have become a little neurotic/obsessed with my skin as I see the changes that I know are inevitable. So, how much is too much??? This is what I am doing right now. Night time: Obagi Nu-derm (hydroquionone 4%) for the brown spots, TNS Recovery Complex, Eye cream, Revaleskin Night Cream, and a moisturizing lotion (dry skin).Day Time is much harder for me to figure out. Obagi Nu-derm (hydroquionone 4%) for the brown spots, TNS Recovery Complex, Eye cream,SkinMedica Vitamin C & E, Moisturizer (Dry skin), Zincclear Sunscreen and I am trying to figure out if I can add a firming/wrinkle filler for the slight wrinkles that are NEW ON my cheeks and then Makeup (foundation, blush, lipstick)!!!!I\'m almost 40 and my skin has become dry, a few brown spots and NEW (very noticeable to me) wrinkles under the eyes and cheeks. Do the products work as well piled on??? I was told I should use a \"treatment\" type product such as \"Perricone Md\" face firming activator and/or \"Substiane\" (La Roche-Posay). There is just so much. I know a lot of it is trial and error and I know everyone is different. I apoligize for this \"book\" I have written in trying to ask you for your advise and what is too much product and if am I going over board if I throw in an extra wrinkle filler or two in my daily regimen??? Thank you for your time and for this website.

Whoa!! This is way too much so let's simplify and get back to basics a bit. Here's what I'd recommend:

AM cleanse, Vit C & E (your antioxidant), eye cream, spot treat your brown spots... more

Does cryosurgery (liquid nitrogen) work for brown spots?

Posted in Pigment problems, Lasers, Brown Spots, Blotchiness on Mar 27, 2010 | Permalink

Dr Irwin; Thanks for your informative internet chat with Paula Begoun. How do you feel about cryosurgery for facial brown spot removal? I have had 5 laser treatments which have worked to some degree; but I have 2 stubborn spots which were only lightened. I have had cryosurgery before, but the brown spots returned in the same location. I am 54, and am vigilant about daily sunscreen protection. I don't have any wrinkle issues; I'm lucky in that regard. But the brown spots are driving me crazy ! I have tried everything, including 4% hydroquinone. Cryosurgery seems to work more quickly than laser treatment; would you disagree? Thanks for your honest manner; I so appreciate that! Gail

Liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery) is used for a lot of different purposes in dermatology including, sometimes, removing brown spots. It does work! There are problems with it though when used... more

I have brown spots and am hispanic. Is this advice good?

Posted in Pigment problems, Melasma, Lasers, Brown Spots, Blotchiness on Mar 27, 2010 | Permalink

Hi Dr. I I had a consultation today regarding the brown spots/sun damage on my face and I wanted to ask for your opinion. I am a 37 years old, on birth control pills,hispanic(olive skin) and work outdoors (10 hour days).I have done the IPL 3 times and see results but not completly satisfied. I started the IPL after I had a baby. I was told that a peel would be better than a laser treatment and that I should use certain products(cosmelan). I am using the sunscreen you recommended Zinclear but this doctor told me that I don't need Zinc in my sunscreen at my age???????? What do you suggest? I do plan to get a different opinion but I was wondering what you thought of this and what direction/questions may be more helpful in my next consultation.

I know for sure that that advice about your sunscreen was not good!!! You are YOUNG - only 37 - and if you have brown spots, are hispanic, on birth control and work outside, you need a... more

How can I get rid of freckles?

Posted in IPL, Brown Spots, Blotchiness on Nov 10, 2009 | Permalink

I'm 54 and getting lots of freckles on my shoulders. Sun damage, I guess. Which laser would be best to lessen those freckels? Is it expensive to get the whole shoulder area treated?

Too many sunburns in the past and all those fun racerback tops might be catching up with you! The most cost effective way to treat these is with an IPL or an older laser called a... more

Does the Fraxel laser help melasma?

Posted in Melasma, Fraxel laser, Brown Spots, Blotchiness on Oct 29, 2009 | Permalink

my face don't have much melasma but after I try fraxel lazer my face show more melasma. I want to ask if fraxel lazer do make melasma worse thank you

This is a good question! Despite prior small studies indicating that the Fraxel laser might improve melasma, that has not always been true. Unfortunately, the Fraxel laser like all other... more

Lasers for Brown Spots and Melasma?

Posted in Melasma, Brown Spots, Blotchiness on Jun 11, 2009 | Permalink

Brown spots on the face and melasma I'm Hispanic and have hormonal brown spots it looks like I have a mask on my face. Will laser treaments work for me?

I'm so glad you asked about this now since this is the worst time of year for everyone for these hormonal brown blotches (melasma). A Fraxel laser (the original one, not the carbon... more

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