Skin Republic

Dear Dr. Jen,

I seem to be getting skin tags nonstop.  I have to have them taken out every three years or so.  Is there a cream that can prevent recurrence of these warts?  I am in my 50s and would like to avoid having to take them out too often.

Ying

Dear Ying,

Skin tags or dermatosis papulosa nigricans (DPNs) on the neck can be quite bothersome.  They can be unsightly and itchy.  These skin tags are caused by a multiple of factors.  Age, sun exposure, genetics, friction from collars and necklaces are a few of the factors that can speed up formation of the skin tags.

These should not be confused with viral warts, which are infectious in nature. Warts are caused by a virus and look a little different from skin tags.  Your PDS dermatologist will not have a hard time differentiating between the two. When you have viral warts on the neck, make sure to go back to your dermatologist in a month or two for a follow up.  Any tiny wart left behind can swiftly multiply and infect surrounding skin.

The usual mode of removal of these DPNs is cautery or excision.  By avoiding sun exposure (daily use of sunscreen) and lessening the use of necklaces and collared tops you can at least control some of the factors that lead to skin tag formation.  However, if it does run in your genes, then retinol based anti-ageing creams and religious use of sunblock can help hinder the overgrowth of the DPNs.

Dear Dr. Jen,

I am turning 40 soon and would like to ask if it is too young to be getting botox?  I noticed that my forehead has many lines and would like to have them disappear.  When is a good age to start worrying about wrinkles anyway?

Kim

Dear Kim,

It may sound cliché but truly, it is never too early to be taking preventive measures for wrinkles.  Each individual face ages differently.  While some start to show some lines in their 40s, others can start a little earlier in their 20s or 30s.  With that being said, you can already do botox at the age of 40. 

However, keep in mind to discuss your goals with your PDS dermatologist.  Do you want it completely ironed out or just smoothened a bit?  Your dermatologist might have different ideals of how your face should be.  And remember, in doing botox, it is better to use a little at a time at the start.  You don’t want to come off looking like a wax figure, with obliterated expressions.

Lastly, aside from doing botulinum toxin injections, there are other ways to keep the wrinkles at bay.  Use of retinol creams can reverse fine lines and prevent deeper ones from settling in. Other products like vitamin C based creams or glycolic acid serums can also be beneficial in your 40s.  And do not underestimate the daily use of sunblock which can also prevent sun damage that ages the face.

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with the Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). Information on PDS is at www.pds.org.ph. Questions or concerns regarding the skin may be sent by text to 0932 857 7070 or emailed to [email protected]; or coursed thru The Freeman – (032) 2531276, or thru PSH – (032) 2338620 and 2325929. Inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan. (FREEMAN)