Dermatologist Answers Skincare Questions We All Have

Skincare doesn’t come easy and can get super confusing. With countless products and skincare routines to try, it’s no wonder that we’re constantly searching for answers. Keeping your skin healthy is vital which is why there are no dumb questions! We asked our Picky Expert and dermatologist friend, Dr. Jaja (@thedermamamaph) which skincare-related questions she gets the most, and of course her answer! So without further ado, let’s have our dermatologist answer some of your burning skincare questions!

Dermatologist Answers Your Top 5 Asked Skincare Questions

Do I need toner and serums to treat acne?

In acne management, it is important to have active ingredients that target the 4 causes of acne:

• increased follicular hyperkeratinization – when cells on your skin follicle don’t shed normally on the surface of the skin
• increased oil production – when your skin produces too much oil
• bacterial proliferation – when there is overgrowth of bacteria on your skin
• inflammation – sign of an immune response from the body. Your skin might experience sensitivity, redness, swelling, itching, and heat.

Some of the best ingredients to target these causes are salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and azelaic acid among others. Having separate products with these ingredients are needed for acne control. You can usually find them in cleansers and moisturizers as well. However, when it comes to to toners and serums, they are definitely great add-ons but not must haves to manage acne. It’s best to prioritize using products to acheive acne control first! Once you can control those breakouts, that is when incorporating toners and serums into your skincare routine comes in handy. Adding toners and serums help exfoliate, brighten, and even out the textured skin.

How do you fade dark spots?

Dark spots are the skin’s reaction to protect against external damage. Triggers include UV damage (unprotected sun exposure), inflammation, infection, hormonal changes, and certain medications. This affects both males and females.

Prevention is important for dark spots. That’s why you must ALWAYS wear sunscreen. To experience the full benefits of your sunscreen, be sure to use it daily and reapply every 2-3 hours, especially if you’re outdoors. Must-haves in your sunscreen should include: a minimum SPF of 30 or above, broad-spectrum, and water resistant.

Aside from sun protection, be on the lookout for products with brightening ingredients such as arbutin, niacinamide, kojic acid, tranexamic acid, and licorice. Also, make sure to avoid harsh ingredients to prevent dark spots from darkening even more. Stay consistent with your skincare routine. Plus in some cases, if you feel that pigmentation just isn’t going away, they are clinic-based procedures that can help you address those skin concerns! And if this dermatologist answering your skincare questions isn’t enough, you can always seek advice from your local dermatologist.

Should I wear sunscreen even if I am indoors?

The answer is almost always YES. When you’re indoors, if your space is completely closed off without any sunlight shining inside, then you might be safe from UV damage in this case. However, even if you are sitting near a glass window, UVA can penetrate and you will still be exposed to UV damage.

UV exposure from sunlight can be categorized into UVA and UVB. UVA is mainly responsible for premature skin aging while UVB is primarily the reason behind sunburns. Unprotected outdoor sun exposure causes skin damage to both UVA and UVB. One way to see what the UV exposure looks like is by checking the UV index. You can find this under most weather apps. It’s good to note that the UV index also changes throughout the day. Applying sunscreen when you’re outdoors is an absolute MUST. As for reapplying sunscreen every 2-3 hours, this depends on what you do throughout the day. If you are just indoors where your sunscreen doesn’t wash off, then you don’t always have to reapply it.

Is skin whitening the same as lightening and brightening?

The term ‘skin whitening’ means to bleach one’s skin color beyond its normal skin tone. It usually involves harsh ingredients that may lead to skin irritation. Skin lightening, on the other hand, refers to fading of pigment marks or dark spots. Skin brightening is achieving the skin’s healthy glow that goes beyond skin lightening. This is when your skin reaches a state where it’s functioning healthily as a barrier. Having bright skin is a reflection of the healthiness of our skin. A great reminder is to aim for healthy skin, not “perfect” skin!

Can acne permanently be removed?

Acne is a pretty complex skin concern that almost all of us experience. It has various triggers. Some people outgrow it and some might now. When it comes to acne, the most important thing to focus on is acne control. There’s no guarantee that you won’t get acne again even after using new skincare products or taking medication. Let’s be real. Sometimes acne comes and goes whenever it wants to. So then how do you know that acne is under control? Some signs that your acne is doing better are: fewer breakouts/bumps, faster response to treatment, less inflammation, and a decrease in marks. The progress in acne control isn’t always as linear as we would like but don’t be disappointed! Consistency and patience in a skincare routine that contains the proper ingredients for your skin needs is the best way to see improvement.

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Made With

Dr. Jaja
Dermatologist
@thedermamamaph