Q&A about Skincare for anti-ageing with Harley Street dermatologist, Dr Sam Bunting - ANSWERS BACK

[ShadeMumsnet]

We're running a Q&A this week about skincare and anti-ageing with Dr Sam Bunting and beauty blogger Lila B (Glamplusforty).

As a cosmetic dermatologist with a busy private practice in Harley Street, Dr Sam Bunting's patients who are aged between 25 and 64, come to her with a variety of concerns from rosacea to pigmentation, but the overwhelming majority are seeking to combat the signs of ageing (45%) or acne (40%).

The Q&A is sponsored by Philips RéAura, the UK's first laser skin rejuvenation device for women to use in their own homes. It is based on Fraxel® technology and is the first time that women are able to achieve professional level results in the comfort of their own home.

ReAura is aimed at women experiencing signs of ageing and wishing to have a rejuvenated appearance. Dr Sam Bunting would recommend women of all ages from late twenties upwards wishing to reduce visible pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles and an uneven skin tone to use Philips ReAura. Lila B (beauty blogger) has trialled ReAura so can answer your questions on her personal experience with it.

Send your questions before the end of Friday 26 Oct, and you will be entered into a draw to win a Philips ReAura worth £800. We'll link to Dr Sam's answers on Thursday 8 Nov.

*subject to skin assessment

What is the best treatment for post inflamatory hyperpigmentation?

Thanks

Hi,I am indian but have pigmentation on my forehead and chin area.I also have an oily tea zone and its really hard to keep makeup on.Thanks

Hi I have been lucky to have lovely clear blemish free skin - until the past year or so (40 sucks). I am now getting groups of spots just below my jawline. They get worse and then improve with my cycle so I'm assuming it's hormone related. But is there anything I can do? I'm starting to get breakouts on other ares of my face- help! Thank you.

Hi there, my question is about a stubborn dry patch on my face , on the hollow of my face under the cheekbone. I have literally thrown the kitchen sink at it. It's worse in the winter. Close up the skin there looks thin and wrinkled compared to the rest of my face. I am 39 , and this patch i feel looks 10 years older . I pluck the odd hair from that area too. I seem to be constantly drawn to that area of my face and being at it so much probably doesn't help. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

Hi,
I am 39 and suffered with acne all my life. Currently using MD Formulations Anti-Blemish Kit which has worked great for 12 months in conjunction with taking Ovranette contraceptive pill, but recently I have got a lot more pimples on my cheeks and chin, although not so many larger spots. Also, my skin is really oily and I am concerned as I do not use any anti-aging products as they all seem very heavy and creamy and likely to interfere with anti-acne treatments - but I am nearly 40!
What anti-aging products would you recommend for someone acne-prone with oily skin, and are there any new acne products on the market? MD Formulations base their on Glycolic Acid.
Thank you so much!

Hello, I have recently developed dark pigmentation patches above my top lip. I am really careful to apply block suncream but it gets worst every time I've been in the sun. Is there any way of getting rid of it or will it just keep coming back every time I'm in the sun? It does tend to fade during the winter. Thanks for any advice.

Another request for advice on Milia. I get contradictory advice - either it's caused by being too dry or by me putting on too much moisuriser. As a result I am very confused! Who do people go to get rid of them? Any facials I have had people say they are not allowed needle/break the skin.

I became very run-down four years ago and developed guttate psoriasis over most of my body. The condition has now largely resolved itself but I'm left with stubborn patches of psoriasis on my elbows. I can improve their appearance by applying Dovobet cream but I've been told not to use this medication continuously as it thins the skin. Whenever I stop, the condition reappears. I use an emollient cream (Diprobase) and have seen a skin specialist to discuss the possibility of light therapy, but I don't have time to attend hospital several times a week. I know direct sunlight can help with psoriasis but I tend to avoid it because I also suffer from rosacea. My GP and specialist have given me the impression that this is just something I have to live with. Is there anything else I can do?

Hello,
I'm 40 but have spent a large part of my life sailing in all weathers including months in the tropics as well as raging gales.
I now sun spots on my face and arms and shins. What can I do about the ones on my face (I have been checked for skin cancers)?
Thank you

I look in the mirror and just seem to see dry patches, large open pores on my nose and fine lines! I drink at least one litre of water every day and moisturise morning and night. Is there anything I can do to calm everything down?

Following birth last year, I had hyperpigmentation on my cheeks, following a horrendous glycolic peel (20%) my cheeks actually lost colour so I had hypopigmentation!! Following intense treatment with a dermatologist my skin re-pigmented but now I have darker patches on my cheeks as well as lots of small spots under my skin, how do I treat the small spots? My skin seems to be going from one problem to another, would love to hear your advice.

Is there anything I can do to prevent senile keratosis?
Thanks.

Hi I'm in desperate need of help with my skin. I suffer with rosacea however have started to find it quite painful. It has spread to under my chin and is all around my lower chin area. I cannot for a single day go without makeup to cover it and it is making me so sad as it can be sweepy and sore. I don't drink, smoke or eat spicy food and Have had course after course of anti-biotics. Any advise from
Any one would be greatfully received. Thanks

Hi I am on 0.5% tretinoin, is there anything else I can do do help my open pores?

Hi,
I suffer from rosacea on my cheeks, which tends to react to a lot of skincare products. My skin is very pale and almost 'transparent' - you can see every little vein and artery, which doesn't help. However, if I use anything 'mild' made specifically 'for sensitive skin', I tend to break out with acne and blackheads. Finding something that works, but doesn't 'enrage' the redness is near impossible. So I have to resort to using a 'harsh' cleanser and a very rich moisturizer. Is there a better option?!
Thanks!

In your opinion, what is the best treatment for scalp psoriasis?
I've been using Polytar Plus shampoo, which is not improving the symptoms, but at least it's not making them worse as do most shampoos. Aside from medications like Dovobet gel, are there other options?
Interestingly, my psoriasis had cleared completely during pregnancy, both times (I have 2 children). If the condition is affected by hormones, could you suggest any specific treatment in my case?

Hi, I have lots of broken veins on my face and have to wear foundation to try to tone them down (doesn't work that well). Is there a better way to deal with them? Is laser treatment any good? What would you recommend?

I have a chalazion cyst on my upper eyelid. It's been there for about 4 months. Started small and is now the size of a petit pois! Not painful or itchy or leaky. Would using a breast milk eyewash help? (I know, rather icky and odd, but this always works to get rid of my babies eye infections!)

Hi, I have pigmentation spots on my cheekbones, mainly at the sides of my face, which get worse in the summer and fade in the winter a little. I also have a darker patch in the middle of my forehead. I think this might have started after having children, maybe connected with a change in hormones? But also just ageing, sadly! Is there anything that I could use that would help them fade permanently and prevent them re-forming? Also, I have enlarged pores, particularly around my nose - any suggestions? Thanks!

I have dehydrated skin which means any foundation sinks deep into my lines and makes me look even older - any tips on this? I think I drink enough water, have a good cleansing routine (use a Clarisonic) and use Pro-Collagen Marine cream which feelss like it does the job, but I'm not so sure when I apply make-up - do serums really work (have used them a lot in the past, but not sure they're worth the money)? I'm 38.

I'm resigned to the fact that I have melasma on my upper lip, chin and forehead that I can't do anything about, but I've yet to find a decent enough sunblock/sun screen that actually prevents it from getting any worse and that is good enough to wear under make up. I don't sunbathe and I wear a hat as often as possible, but that isn't such a good look for walking to and from the office/around Sainsbury's in Summer! Any suggestions would be very welcome, thank you!

Hello, I have been plagued by spots ever since the age of 12 and now am in my late 30s! I have tried various medication from my doctor over the years and all the over the counter stuff, which only helps a bit. They are much worse around the time of my period and also break out if I use certain hair products. I also suspect certain foods may be irritating them. The only thing which really helps is going on a sunbed, which I don't really want to do. Am I doomed to have spots forever? Any advice gratefully received xx

I am 38 and still suffer from adult acne mainly in t zone. Any help for me ?

hello - years ago i started getting spots around my mouth - tried all sorts then coincidentally found that they stopped when i took a daily antihistamine. this autumn i decided to take a break from taking them as i thought it's not hayfever season and allergens should be down (i'd forgotten all about the skin issue). within a week the spots around my mouth were back.

do you know what this could be? what would it be an allergy to (i rarely use make up on my skin so it's not that and i oil cleanse so it's not a product allergy). they are very specific in where they appear. do i just take antihistamines for life and be grateful i have a fix even if i don't know the cause?

Hi, I keep getting melia spots on my face and I was wondering why. I have heard that it could be because you dont clean your face properly(which i think I do) or excessive amount of cream? Can you please advise if there is a way to get rid? Thanks