My gynecologist found that I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (pcos). He treated me with birth control pills and now he says I’m better but I still have dark hair on my chest and top lip. Will that go away if I keep taking birth control?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common disorder affecting menstruating women. It is characterized by multiple cysts within a woman’s ovaries and is caused by a hormone inbalance that results in overproduction of testosterone. This excess of testosterone often causes severe acne and hair growth on the upper lip, chest, and back of women (hirsutism). Treatment… Continue reading My gynecologist found that I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (pcos). He treated me with birth control pills and now he says I’m better but I still have dark hair on my chest and top lip. Will that go away if I keep taking birth control?

My doctor says I have keloids. I cut myself on the chin a few days ago. Is there anything I can do to stop the scaring?

Keloids are benign lesions that arise in scars because of an overgrowth of the scar tissue.  These lesions can be quite large and can often cause pain if nerves are involved.  Physicians can apply silicone gel on developing lesions to minimize pain and prevent growth of a keloid.  Alternatively, injection of corticosteroids into the developing… Continue reading My doctor says I have keloids. I cut myself on the chin a few days ago. Is there anything I can do to stop the scaring?

I have itchiness and flakey skin from my eyebrows for 3 weeks. I used to wash my face with neutrogena soap and changed to a gentler soap (aveeno) but that hasn’t helped. My eyebrows look a little bit red and swollen with flakey skin in the hairs. It itches more after I shower and when I rub it, more skin falls off. What do I do?

It sounds like you have a case of “seborrheic dermatitis” of the eyebrow.  This is more commonly known as “dandruff.”  Treatment should be with an anti-dandruff shampoo such as:   Treat by lathering dandruff shampoo such as Head and Shoulders (pyrithione zinc based), Nizoral (ketokonazole based), or Selsun Blue (selenium sulfide based).  If symptoms do… Continue reading I have itchiness and flakey skin from my eyebrows for 3 weeks. I used to wash my face with neutrogena soap and changed to a gentler soap (aveeno) but that hasn’t helped. My eyebrows look a little bit red and swollen with flakey skin in the hairs. It itches more after I shower and when I rub it, more skin falls off. What do I do?

My aunt has lupus and my oldest sister was recently diagnosed with lupus. Should I go get tested for lupus?

If you have any symptoms of lupus (see list below), testing may be beneficial.  However, most doctors don’t recommend screening tests for lupus if you’re asymptomatic.  For example, serum ANA is a good marker for lupus and is positive in over 95% of patients with lupus.  However, only about 25% of the general population are… Continue reading My aunt has lupus and my oldest sister was recently diagnosed with lupus. Should I go get tested for lupus?

I’m 60 now and my skin has gotten worse. My skin has become leathery with deep wrinkles and I have rough brown patches in areas and some of my veins are visible. What skin products can I use to help my skin look more youthful?

It appears that you are describing photoaging. The best treatment is any cream with tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid). Many of these creams are available at department stores. Check the label for “tretinoin” as this is proven to be best at reducing wrinkles, decreasing mottling of skin, and smoothing of the skin. It can also improve brown… Continue reading I’m 60 now and my skin has gotten worse. My skin has become leathery with deep wrinkles and I have rough brown patches in areas and some of my veins are visible. What skin products can I use to help my skin look more youthful?