You asked, and Dr. Dina D. Strachan, MD has answered. This board-certified dermatologist is a graduate of Harvard and Yale and currently holds a faculty appointment at NYU. We recently asked readers to submit their skincare questions for Dr. Strachan. Check out her responses to questions about skin Tone, Shrinking Pores and Blackheads
Reader Question: I have small blemishes on my face that are causing uneven skintone. I always see products that help fade dark spots, but mine are reverse. I have light blemishes what can I do/use to even skintone?
Dr. Strachan: Whenever there is inflammation in brown skin, such as that caused by acne, rashes, scratches and burns there is a chance of a color change. Usually this results in skin darkening but occasionally inflammation leaves light marks. Whenever the skin is constantly blemishing it is important to determine the reason. In people with acne that leaves blemishes, for example, if they focus on the blemishes, which generally last much longer than pimples, rather than the acne problem, they will always have blemishes. In this case, it would be best to treat the acne if one wants to blemishes to go away. There are no specific products to address blemishes that are lighter than the normal skin color. The solution is to find out what is causing them. Is there an eczema or seborrheic dermatitis problem?
Reader Question: How can I shrink open pores?
Dr. Strachan:Pore size is genetic and generally does not change, unless the skin is damaged, in which case the pore might get bigger. All we can really do is try to minimize the appearance of our pores. The best way to do this is to keep the skin clean and exfoliate gently.
Reader Question: I have a weird skin type: it’s mostly dry, with an oily nose and an oily chin, and I also have light-to-moderate acne. I thought it was combination, but combination is always described as having an oily t-zone and being dry elsewehere. I’ve heard of a combination-dry skin type. Am I that? Perhaps I’m sensitive? Which am I?
Dr. Strachan:Often skin typing is more marketing than science. It is normal to have oilier skin in the T-zone. We have an increased number of oil producing sebaceous glands in this area. If you are acne prone, you may be oily. Many people say they have “sensitive” skin but the answers as to what they mean by that may vary. Does their skin burn, change color or do they have acne? Many times people who say they have “sensitive skin” have an undiagnosed condition such as eczema or seborrheic dermatitis. Once the condition is managed, their skin is no longer “sensitive.”
Reader Question: What is a natural way (meaning non-commercially) to remove blackheads?
Dr. Strachan: Blackheads can be removed a variety of ways. They can be physically extracted, but one has to be careful not to damage and blemish the skin. Exfoliating products such as salicylic acid, glycolic acids, and retinoids can also dissolve blackheads.
Have a question for Dr. Strachan. Email us at editors_at_madamenoire.com with the subject “Skincare Question” or Facebook us.
