OUR CARIBBEAN SKIN SERIES / Melasma

Caribbean skin is unique; the way we treat it must be too. Not only is it diverse in terms of colour, but different skin types naturally respond differently to environment, stress, hormonal changes, etc., making them more susceptible to certain skin conditions. 

Also called the “mask of pregnancy”, melasma is a specific and quite common form of discolouration. It tends to plague women of colour, though men can get it too. It generally happens on the face and is often symmetrical (hence the mask comparison), but it can also appear on other parts of the body, especially those exposed to sunlight, which aggravates the condition. People with darker skin are more at risk.  

The discolouration may be caused by hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause), certain medications (birth control pills, hormone therapies), stress, and even harsh skincare products.

While we can generally diagnose melasma by sight, a clinical exam will also determine how many layers of skin are affected. Melasma caused by birth control pills or pregnancy usually resolves on its own, but there are cases that would benefit from treatment.

Treatment options include:

·       Topical steroids and other prescription medications

·       Microdermabrasion

·       Chemical peels

Melasma can be persistent, so there is no guarantee it will completely go away. Sometimes, the only solution is to be consistent with managing it: establish a treatment routine that keeps it under control, stay vigilant with the sunscreen and avoid UV exposure wherever possible. Proper makeup can also be effective with evening out skin tone.

If you’re experiencing skin discolouration and are concerned about it, just give us a call or schedule an appointment.

GO PRO!

Taking control of how good you look and feel is wonderful, and you should absolutely advocate for the good health of your skin – but there are simply some procedures that need professional supervision in order to keep you safe. Here’s a quick look at some treatments that are best left to us!

MICRODERMABRASION /

What’s involved

This is a cosmetic procedure in which we remove dead skin in order to counteract things like acne scarring and hyperpigmentation. It also boosts skin texture and reduces the appearance of pores.

Be aware

This kind of exfoliation can really keep your skin looking rosy, but at-home kits can be too aggressive and end up harming the skin.

Risks

·       Damage to sensitive areas, like the skin around the eyes

·       Discolouration

·       Allergic reactions

·       Breakouts

Learn more about our microdermabrasion treatments here.

PEELS /

What’s involved

No matter how appealing these may be to try at home, this is a skin resurfacing procedure – which means a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layer and allow smoother, younger-looking skin to shine through.

Be aware

Chemical peels are great for improving the apperance of light wrinkles or other skin imperfections, including discolouration and superficial scarring, but it’s a delicate balance. You have to know:

·       Which depth of peel is right for your skin

·       Which ingredients may or may not interact well with your skin

·       How certain medications can affect the outcome

Peels are not recommended for pregnant women, for instance, or for people who have skin that is prone to keloids or cold sores.

Risks

·       Burning and/or scarring

·       Changes in skin colour (sometimes irreversible)

·       Infection

·       Organ damage

 Check out our range of professional peels here.

TONING /

What’s involved

In terms of tightening and toning skin, lasers do the best job – but there are do-it-yourself products on the market that promise similar results via LED lights used in conjunction with a microcurrent.

Be aware

You won’t get the same results and any gains will be temporary.

Risks

·       Damage to the eye area

·       Uneven treatment

 Learn more about our laser treatments here.

Bottom line? When it comes to the health of your skin, it’s always better to err on the side of safety, knowing we’ll be here to support you through every step of the process, from consultation to recovery.

OUR CARIBBEAN SKIN SERIES / Discolouration

Practising dermatology in the Caribbean gives us the opportunity to treat a beautifully diverse range of people, all with different skin types.

Skin of colour, despite its amazing range – Indigenous, African, Indian, Chinese, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Latino – tends to have specific conditions to which it’s susceptible. A few general skin conditions also produce different effects in pigmented skin.

Over the next few months, we’ll offer a quick guide as to what to look out for – and how we can help you treat it. We’ll start off with a common complaint: discolouration.

Where you notice it

This tends to happen especially on joints like the knees and elbows, though it can also show up in more private areas, like derrieres and inner thighs. In addition, discolouration can be an unwanted side effect of skin conditions like acne (which leaves behind dark spots once the pimples disappear), or eczema (which can leave darker and/or lighter patches on the skin).

 No quick fix

Treatment can be quite difficult, as discolouration is stubbornly persistent and can be caused by a multitude of factors, including hormonal changes, certain medications and harsh skin care products. Laser treatments, chemical peels and serums can help, but they are not guaranteed.  

The good news? Simple at-home remedies can often improve (not eradicate) the condition, but you must be diligent about maintenance:

·       Limit sun exposure, as UV rays worsen the appearance of dark spots

·       Tell us what medications and/or skin products you’re taking so we can advise whether they may be contributing to the problem – birth control pills are a common offender

·       Keep the area moist by rubbing it with petroleum jelly

·       Gently exfoliate dead skin

·       Avoid putting undue friction on joints (e.g. don’t rest your elbows on the table)

What not to do

Alternative treatments (e.g. the use of citrus, turmeric, oats or certain essential oils) are not clinically tested and often create further problems in our tropical climate. The use of lemon juice, for instance, can cause burning and heightened discolouration when exposed to harmful UV rays, and Vitamin E oil has the potential to cause true allergic reactions in some patients.

We generally do not recommend using over-the-counter skin lightening soaps and creams, as many of them contain harmful ingredients like mercury, which can further exacerbate the condition and cause far more serious side effects, including kidney and nerve damage.

Be safe, not sorry

If the discolouration is serious (or seriously bothering you), it’s best to come in and see us to get a proper assessment, coupled with safe treatment options. 

SCREENING YOUR SKIN

When it comes to skin cancer, good habits (a skincare routine, the regular use of sunscreen) are important, but so are proper skin audits. You should do a monthly self exam, a perfectly adequate preventative measure once you are not at high risk.

However, if genetics, lifestyle, age or previous health conditions predispose you to skin cancer, it’s a good idea to book a screening with one of our dermatologists every six months to a year.

Basal and squamous cell carcinomas, the strains of skin cancer identified in this Mayo Clinic report, are typically not as critical as melanomas, but they’re significantly more common and can present in various ways (scaly, bumpy, or waxy), so it’s best to be sure. As with all other cancers, early detection puts you in a better position regarding removal and/or treatment.

When we want to see you

·       Your skin falls under Types I or II on the Fitzpatrick scale

·       You have a family history of skin cancer or have suffered from it yourself

·       You tend to have a lot of moles and/or notice changes in spots on your skin (irritation, itching or bleeding)

·       You burn easily when outdoors

·       Your job and/or hobbies expose you to an inordinate amount of UV rays

·       You are immunocompromised or undergoing serious medical treatment like chemotherapy or dialysis

How to self-check

At least once a month, follow the ABCDE rule…

A simple way to check for possible signs of skin cancer.

If there are any positive responses on your ABCDE checklist, it’s a good idea to book an appointment with us. At least half of all cancerous skin conditions are first noticed by patients, so your first line of defence is self examination. When caught early, treatment usually involves non-invasive therapies like topical chemotherapy creams and liquid nitrogen, or simple, in-office surgical procedures.

WOW TO THE WEBINAR!

On November 25, Serpentine Dermatology, in conjunction with Ames Medical and gynaecologist Dr. Sandra Boxill, hosted a free webinar about women’s intimate well being. Scores of women attended the session, asking very pertinent questions about some of the challenging conditions that can affect vaginal health.

Dr. Boxill, along with general practitioner Dr. Alexandra Ames and dermatologist Dr. Tonya Abraham-Ali, discussed everything from post-partum and menopause issues, to frustrating conditions like age-related urinary incontinence – including the ways in which Serpentine Dermatology’s CO2RE Intima laser treatments can offer relief.

Here’s a quick recap of the key questions participants asked:

• How old do you have to be to do theCO2RE Intima treatment?

There’s no real age limit; the treatment is just as effective for post-partum as it us for peri- or post-menopausal women. It can also be used to give the vaginal area a more youthful appearance.

•  How long after post-partum should one wait to do the treatment and is there any scarring?

Women should wait until at least six weeks after giving birth to have the treatment done. It does not leave any scarring.

• What about downtime and potential side effects?

There is zero downtime with the CO2RE Intima treatment, and side effects are limited to what some patients describe as slight discomfort to the area, usually on the first day.

• Are there any long-term effects to consider?

All reported long-term effects have been advantageous. Several studies have been done in which scientists have biopsied the epithelial lining of the vagina ten years after the CO2RE Intima treatment, and the area still shows benefits from CO2 lasering.

If you’d like to book a consultation, or find out more about the treatment’s suitability to your situation, give us a call us at (868) 622-7340.