Common Skin Problems
Acne
Acne is a medical term to describe an
inflammatory condition involving the
spectrum of skin diseases that arise
from oil glands in the skin. It can
lead to permanent scarring on the skin.
These include:
■ Excessive oiliness
■ Comedones (clogged pores eg blackheads and white heads).
■ Inflamed, red and painful acne papules and pustules (“pimples” or “zits” in laymen term).
■ Inflamed, red and painful acne nodules and cysts (more severe and deep “pimples”).
Acne scars
These scars appear as small indentations in the skin. Ice pick scars are small scars that look like pinpricks. Boxcar scars are larger
indentations with clear edges. Rolling scars have unclear edges and give the skin a rolling or undulating appearance.
Scars may cause significant physical and psychological ill effects, poor self image, anxiety and depression.
Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that's not always related to heat or exercise. You may sweat so much that it soaks through your clothes
or drips off your hands. Heavy sweating can disrupt your day and cause social anxiety and embarrassment.
See your health care provider if:
■ Sweating disrupts your daily routine
■ Sweating causes emotional distress or social withdrawal
■ You suddenly begin to sweat more than usual
■ You experience night sweats for no apparent reason
Hair disorders
1. Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a form of autoimmune disorders affecting hair loss in any part of the body. Generally they are coin shaped bald areas.
2. Androgenic alopecia
Everyone loses between 50-100 strands of hair a day. However if you notice thinning of your hair with receding hair line, please consult
us early. There are available effective treatments that cater for both men and women.
3. Hirsutism
Hirsutism means unwanted male-patterned hair in a woman. This is a common occurrence in certain racial groups. Sometimes, hirsutism can be
linked to an underlying medical condition such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Keloid Scars
Keloids are raised overgrowths of scar tissue that occur at the site of a skin injury. Common places to develop keloid scars are your chest,
back and jaw line. Individuals with dark skin and family history of keloid scars are more prone to developing keloid scars.
Moles, warts and skin tags
Skin tags are smooth, small bag like outgrowths and warts are rough with irregular surface. Moles are pigmented lesions.
Port wine stain
a form of red birthmark commonly seen on the face
Rosacea
A condition that causes redness and often small red pus filled bumps on the face. Most commonly they are found in middle aged women.
Rosacea is a common skin condition that causes flushing or long-term redness on your face. It also may cause enlarged blood vessels and
small, pus-filled bumps. Some symptoms may flare for weeks to months and then go away for a while. Rosacea can be mistaken for acne,
dermatitis or other skin problems.
Poikiloderma of civatte
commonly seen on the neck and chest with pigmentation and redness due to chronic sun exposure
■ Uneven skin tone, Poor skin elasticity & firmness
■ Hyperpigmenation of skin
■ Oily & congested pores, Enlarged pores
■ Oily / acne / Dry skin, Sensitive skin
■ Ageing skin
■ Lines or wrinkles on the face, like frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines
■ Cherry angiomas
■ Pyogenic granulomas
■ Spider naevus
Melasma
1. Symmetrical dark brown patches on both sides of the face or forehead.
2. Usually in middle aged asian women of darker skin types.
3. Factors due to age, genetics, hormones (eg contraceptive pills, pregnancy), vascular and chronic sun/uv exposure.
4. Can look like “boundaries of a country” on your face.
Freckles
1. Multiple tiny discrete brown spots over the cheekbones and nose.
2. Usually in the younger age group e.g. Adolescents, young adults.
3. Can look like "dashes of pepper scattered on the face".
Solar lentigo
1. Singular or a few dark spots.
2. Spots are usually roundish, discrete and uniform in color.
3. Usually occurring in those with chronic sun exposure.
4. Can look like a "bronze coin".
Hori’s naevus
1. Cluster of dark grayish deep round pigmentations on the cheekbones, nose, or forehead.
2. Usually in middle aged Asian women.
3. Family members may also be affected.
Post inflammatory hyper pigmentation (pih)
1. Feathery looking pigmentations with blurred out margins.
2. Occurs after skin injury, inflammation or infections (eg. Cuts and abrasions, acne breakouts, inappropriate squeezing of pimples,
post skin procedures, unsuitable cosmetics, etc).
Seborrheic keratosis ("age-spots”)
1. Multiple, rough warty-looking, brown bumps with a “stuck-on” greasy appearance.
2. Usually in the older age group, or runs in the family.
3. Often mistaken as pigmentations or moles.
4. These bumps can be felt with your fingertips.
■ Under eye dark circles
■ Lip asymmetry
■ Nose shape and size related problems
■ Torn ear lobules (jewellery cuts)
■ Old chickenpox and traumatic scars
■ Dark complexion of skin
■ Gummy smile
Please contact us for more information.
