SkinRepublic

Dear Dr. Jen,

What is the difference between a mole and a freckle?  I don't know which is which on my face. I look like a Dalmatian already.

Jigs

Dear Jigs,

Dalmatians are cute but the spots might be distracting on human faces. Moles can be difficult to differentiate from a freckle. You can be born with your moles but you may still accumulate newer ones as you get older. Under the microscope the difference is easier to tell as moles have melanocytes (pigment producing cells) mixed in with the pigment melanin. This is why moles have a risk of developing into something more dangerous like melanoma, a kind of skin cancer.

Simply put, freckles are flat and temporary.  They are caused by increased UV exposure.  The more you are out in the sun, the higher your chances are to form freckles.  The face, neck, shoulders and arms are the usual sight of freckles. Lighter-skinned individuals have more tendencies to form ephelides or freckles. It may also run in families.

You can have a complete assessment of your face by a board-certified dermatologist. Use of adequate sunblock daily can minimize freckles. Bleaching agents, chemical peels and lasers can also get rid of them. Moles are generally better treated by excision.

Dear Dr. Jen,

I'm traveling to a cold place this December.  I have very sensitive skin and I develop itchies quickly.  What stuff should I bring with me to prevent rashes and scaly skin?

Tippy

Dear Tippy,

When visiting a cold country with less humidity, lotions are your best friend.  This necessitates bringing heavier creams to use as body lotion and facial moisturizer.  If you have eczema or atopic dermatitis, you are limited to using fragrance-free products.  Although there are numerous products to choose from, be guided by how good a product can pack in moisture and yet remain hypoallergenic. Simply put, always look for the label "hypoallergenic and fragrance free."

A good tip to follow is to start applying your moisturizer twice daily when you arrive at your cold destination. You can even already start on the plane. Do not wait for your skin to start peeling and show signs of redness. Be diligent in slathering on the lotions and your skin can be unscathed from your trip. If you do start to peel and itch, you may need to apply your moisturizer more often, like four to six times a day, or you can change to a heavier cream.

Lastly, even if the place you are traveling to is cold, don't neglect applying sunblock to your face.  You are likely to be walking around outdoors and sun burn can still happen.  Sun burn can compound the problem of eczema.  Safe travels!

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). For information on PDS, check http://www.pds.org.ph/. For questions or concerns, please text to: 0932 857 7070; or email to: [email protected]; or call The Freeman: (032) 2531276, or PSH: (032) 233 8620 and 232 5929. Your inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.