The Tyra Banks Show: Treatment for Top Skin Issues Archives

Dermatologist Dr. Amy Wechsler gives you the facts on the most common skin issues, and how to deal with them.

Tyra

PROBLEM: DARK SPOTS ON THE FACE AND BODY
WHAT CAUSES THEM?
It’s not only sun exposure, a small pimple or a slight scratch can heal and cause PIH, post inflammatory hyper pigmentations of the skin. The darker you are the more likely you are to heal darker.

WHAT’S THE TREATMENT?
Bleaching creams (hydroquinone) are available over the counter in 2% options. Philosophy makes one with a great name, “A Pigment of Your Imagination,” for $30. Porcelana Serum is only $6.29 and it’s also a 2% option. For better, faster results you need a higher concentration of at least 4%, which is only available by prescription. The HUGE thing is to use sunscreen anytime you go outside while treating your skin. One day in the sun will kill all the work you’ve done bleaching the spots out, and they’ll come back darker than before.

PROBLEM: STRETCH MARKS
WHAT’S THE CAUSE?
Personally, I think that 50% is genetics and the rest is a result of losing and gaining weight/mass rapidly. You’re most susceptible after you’ve had a baby, when you’re a teenager and growing, and if you’re weight training. These marks are created because you have thinned the skin in these areas, resulting in a loss of skin and pigment.

WHAT’S THE TREATMENT?
You only have a fighting chance to treat them when the marks are red or purple. In the office the fix is a laser treatment. With one treatment you will see results in a few weeks, but generally people need two or three follow-up treatments to get rid of them. When stretch marks turn white there isn’t a lot you can do. Doctors and plastic surgeons talk a lot about treatments that help create skin, neo collagen. However, I think it’s a lot of B.S. and I haven’t seen any good results. Tanning does not help because stretch marks won’t tan like the rest of your other skin, but they’ll take a self- tanner. I strongly believe in Dermablend makeup. It’s waterproof and intended for full coverage, and they will custom match a color to your skin color.

PROBLE: HAIR BUMPS
WHAT CAUSES THESE?
The bump is a reaction to an ingrown hair. I’ve seen women that have them not only on their bikini line, but also on their neck because they’ve shaved the area.

WHAT’S THE TREATMENT?
People use a pin or a needle and sometimes tweezers to dig at the hair. Stop! It makes it worse, not better because you are not skilled at removal. The pin needs to enter the skin parallel to the surface; please save this for a professional. Prevention is key. Don’t use multi blade razors. It’s a marketing ploy. They are not good for sensitive areas because they are actually pulling the hair from under the surface making it more likely to bend and curl under the surface. Shave with a single blade and only go over the area once. I know it’s not popular but I truly recommend using scissors and trimming very close to the skin, but not under it. You will have to do it more than shaving, but you’ll minimize the potential for these curling hairs to do their damage under the skin. If you have scarring, Curad Scar Therapy Clear Pads are only $17 and work well when applied daily for eight weeks. They are silicone sheets that you cut to size and stick on. They’re not good for active inflamed areas, but good for a scar over time. If it’s an area people can see, wear them at night and sleep with them on.

PROBLEM: DRY, ITCHY, ASHY SKIN
WHAT PREDOMINATELY CAUSES THIS?
Surprisingly, water and soap are often the problem, not the solution! People are in the bath or the shower WAY too long and use way too much soap. People also over exfoliate with their shower puff!

WHAT’S THE TREATMENT?
Re-evaluate your routine. I recommend ten-minute showers with warm water, not scalding hot, and only use soap at the end of the shower and not all over your body! Contrary to what ads tell you, you do not have to be squeaky clean to be clean. It’s a ploy so you’ll buy more soap! If you are, you’re basically stripping your body of its natural oils. Your arms and legs don’t get dirty on a daily basis unless you’re rolling around in dirt. Soap your under arm, groin, neck, chest, feet. I like cheap fragrance-free soaps, like Dove for sensitive skin, Purpose, and Lever 2000. The fancy soaps that smell nice are VERY drying. Also do NOT use a facecloth unless you’re using a fresh one every day, and who does that? I’m not a fan of exfoliating puffs if you have dry skin. You don’t need to exfoliate every day, because you’re not just removing dead skin, you’re also removing the live skin. You should moisturize twice daily and I love Cetaphil in the tub, not the pump. There are prescription ointments for excessively dry skin, but good skin starts with good habits.

ARE EXPENSIVE MOISTURIZERS BETTER? (I.E. LA MER?)
No. People equate cost with worth and goodness. If you paid a lot for something you want it to work, and in your mind you will make it work because you’ve just spent all this money. The problem is these creams are not regulated. Manufacturers don’t have to put percentages on the label, therefore you have no real way of knowing what’s in the expensive cream other than a lot of marketing.

IS SUNSCREEN OVERRATED?
You should always wear sunscreen! Even some foundations come with sunscreen added, so there’s no excuse. Keep an eye out for Anthelios SX from L'Oreal, available this fall. L'Oreal has FDA approval to market a this new over the counter sunscreen, which is the first sunscreen product in America to contain a chemical called ecamsule that has the ability to block both UVA and UVB rays.

For more information about Dr. Amy Wechsler, visit www.dramywechsler.com

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Hey Tyra!! I'm 16 and I have a few whiteheads near the corner of one of my eyes. I know they're hardly noticeable but I still know they are there and I want them gone!!! Do you have any tips for getting rid of them? Thanks! Love;
Kayla

Posted by: Kayla | August 3, 2007 5:25 PM

Hey Tyra. I've recently started watching your shows and im now hooked!
I have so many freckles and i hate them. I dont like to wear makeup but is there any other way i can stop getting them?

Posted by: Rachel | August 3, 2007 12:54 PM

Hey Tyra. For as long as I can remember I've had these blotchy bumpy upper arms. I've noticed that a lot of my girlfriends have them too, but nobody really seems to know what it is. I've learned to deal with it, but I had a boyfriend that used to mention it, so it makes wearing some of my favorite short sleeved and sleeveless tops a little bit uncomfortable. Can anybody help me? Kole

Posted by: Kole | August 2, 2007 9:17 PM

I've had acne since I was like 16 and I'm gong on 23 now. I have tried a little bit of everything just about everything over the counter and I have even saw a dermatologist, had chemical peels and even used proactive. I also saw on your show the Zeno product. I got it, it does work but only on new ones not old ones. I just wanted to know if u had any advice about how to treat or help me with old reoccurring acne and even scars.

Posted by: Kristina | August 2, 2007 6:14 PM

hey tyra...
im a 13 year old boy with some pretty bad acne. i need your help seriously. I've done everything from the whole toothpaste ordeal to the pop it routine. If you have any tips to help me i would appreciate it so much..
thank you for your time to read this.gage

Posted by: gage | August 2, 2007 12:48 PM

hey tyra,

i've lately had a lot of sudden face problems. I've done all the usual like wash my face day in and day out, the toothpaste, the pop it routine. It just never works at all. If you have fast and great ways to prevent and stop my face problems please let me know. thank you so much.

Posted by: gage | August 2, 2007 12:44 PM

dear tyra!
my names ashley im 14 and i live in australia.
i just wanted to comment saying that i watch your show every day! you are so amazing and beautiful.
just wanted to come by and say hello!
your my inspirtation!
love your show xo

LOVE ASHLEY.

Posted by: ashley. | August 1, 2007 11:27 PM

I don't know if anyone else has posted about this, but me, I get stys all the time. Like crazy! They cause the eyelid to droop and are painful to all eyes. Now, I am wondering if they're is a way to reduce it's appearance.
And I (of course) have to praise you. I love how you are Tyra. Your show beats Oprah by miles! ^_~

Posted by: Sarah | August 1, 2007 6:47 PM

Hey Tyra! I forgot something hehe...well I was wondering if there was any possible way to get rid of the scars or marks made on your face from the pimples/acne that you once had on your face?

Posted by: Brenda | August 1, 2007 4:30 PM

Hey Tyra. Well I was wondering if you know how to get rid of pimples or any acne on your face? I just saw your show today and I'm still curious. Because everytime my pimples/zits go away another one always comes out. Is the cause of it because I'm eating too much oily food? Or because I touch my face too much with my hands?

Posted by: Brenda | August 1, 2007 4:28 PM

Hola Tayra,
My problem is also about acne, I actually dont have it as bad as other people but I cant go a month without a pimple or two. My face is very greesy and i think thats one of the problems.But my other problem is that I have little holes from the pimples I use to pop, and even when I have no pimples that still reuins my face...Can someone please help me???Thank you.

Posted by: Ivete | August 1, 2007 1:19 PM

Hey Tyra,

My name is Margret and im 14 yrs old, and I kinda have bad acne. well its kinda going away.. but not clearing. I have tried almost everything like.. this scrub that clears away blemish and blackheads. When im done with that i use Advanced Complex Fade Gel from Clear essence ( i only use that at night)But in the morning after i get done washing my face with the scrub from blemish and blackheads I use this Medicated Fade Cream. And i have been using that forever. I always wanted flawless skin but i got acne instead. SO if u have any tips please email me.
Thanks for taking your time reading this.

Posted by: Margret | August 1, 2007 12:14 PM

hey:tyra
i am 14 and i have stretch marks and it sucks i dont no haw to get rid of them. tyra if there is a why to get rid of theas thngs could u pleas let me no.
thanks!!!!!

Posted by: beth | August 1, 2007 11:57 AM

Hey Tyra,
I am seriously tired of using a million facial treatments to get rid of my acne. I mean, I'm eighteen, and I have the worst acne in my family, in fact I think I'm the only one whose had it. My sister gets it seasonally so when it's winter she'll be fine, but I have to suffer all year. What makes things worse is that I use the highly acclaimed product Proactiv, and maybe I'm just impatient, but I still get pimples on top of pimples and I still have darkspot, I don't think there's a smooth spot on my face. And I also suffer from dark knees and elbows, being an African American and all. I remember your show about what you used to get rid of your dark knees and elbows, but I can't remember the product. I just want to have smooth beautiful skin so I can stop living like a hermit.
Please help me, and thank your for your time.

Posted by: Sharnice | August 1, 2007 11:25 AM

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Posted by: ro250ck | August 1, 2007 11:24 AM

Hi Tyra, Im a 13 yr old girl and i have kinda bad acne. its gotten better but its not going away. and ive tried almost everything. also i have ALOT of black heads on my nose and i dont know how to get them to go away....any tips?? i really want flawless skin but its not looking good because ive had acne since 4-5th grade and im not going into 8th. =[ pleaseee any tips would be good.
thankss!

Posted by: Tina | August 1, 2007 11:08 AM

Posted by: Tina | August 1, 2007 11:06 AM

Tyra, I am a 14 year old girl and I am only 101 lbs. But all my weight seems to go to my thighs and because of that I am VERY uncomfortable with my thighs and on the insides I have stretch marks. Because of all of this it's made me have a lot of self esteem problems and well that just leads to problems with cutting. Do you have any advice of how I could get rid of all the fat in my thighs and the stretch marks, please? I'd really really like to get help with this.

Posted by: Carrie | August 1, 2007 10:48 AM

Dear Tyra...
Hello i am a 14 year old girl for a wile now i have been having problem with strech marcks people tell me to use vaseleen and lotions butt they are not working i am so embaressed they are all on my stomach...i am overwight butt when i exercise and eat right they have gotten even worse... i have lost weight butt nothing is working i am so embaressed do u have eney tips?? thanks for the time... i apreciate it you are an amazing and beautiful person!!!
love always...
Mallory!

Posted by: Mallory | August 1, 2007 10:24 AM

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Posted by: ro556ck | August 1, 2007 7:31 AM

Hi Tyra,
First of all I wanted to tell you that I think you are beautiful and a wonderful person for helping people. But I know that your quite busy, so I know that you probably wont get a chance to read this but I'm gonna try anyway. Well I'm 15 years old and ever since I was little I have had pretty bad skin, its not that bad on my face now but it is on my back and arms. And I also have really bad strecth marks on my knees, the back of my legs, my arms, and really bad on my back and sides. My mom keeps saying that if I tan that they will go away but I know that doesnt work because if it did i'm sure they would have gone away a long time ago. I just dont know what else to do. During the summer I only wear short sleeves shirts if i'm inside, but when i go out I wear jackets or big shirts to hide the ones on my arms because I feel so embarrassed and shy because of them. And my mom just doesnt understand she says I look fine without a jacket, but everytime I take it off, I look down and just start crying because it makes me feel so ugly. And even worse when people point it out and be like "What's that". I just wish there was something I could try, because i'm a teenager i want to be able to wear the cute clothes such as shorts, and short sleeved shirts without feeling so insecure and that everyone is looking at me. But i'm not sure what the best product would be at my price range, because we dont really have that much money since its just me my mom and my twin brother. Well i know you probably can't help but thanks for taking the time to read this if you are.
Thanks
Ashley Oliver

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