Skincare: Tackling warts, freckles, stretchmarks and more!

Dermatologist Dr Aparna Santhanam hosted a chat with readers last month to help them deal with skincare problems. For those of you who missed it, here's the transcript.

Dr Aparna Santhanam says, Hi Im Dr.Aparna Santhanam.I will be answering all your queries on beauty and skin care today.

silvana asked, Dr can you please tell me if stretch marks can be 100 percent removed surgically?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Stretch marks appear because of a break in elastin fibres.Good moisturising is very important especially with natural ingredients like coconut oil and aloe vera etc.Vitamin E containing creams also help in reducing stretch marks.

MizzPiggie asked, What is the way to remove freckles and dark spots Dr Santhanam? Do creams like Estee Lauder and Shiseido that charge thousands work or should I try laser?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Freckles and dark spots come because of years of unprotcted sun exposure.Creams do help but it is not the brand but ingredients that matter.Look for ingredients like Arbutin.kojic acid,and niacinamode as well as natural ingredients like bearberry extracts.Ues a sunscreen and natural moisturisers like honey,coconut cream and oil and aloevera regualarly to soothe and protect the skin

vikas asked, hi aparna I have very much oily skin please advise

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Hi, Using the eright kind of products can help oily skin.Use a face wash with glycolic or salicylic acid twice daily.Do not overcleanse your face,avoid moisturisers and use light water based moisturisers.

Venkatram asked, I wanted to know what are the treatment option available for Warts, since my MIL was diagonosed with the same.

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Yes,it is treatable.See a dermatologist who may prescribe a wart solution or remove the same with an RF machine

anju asked, what do you advise for a very dry skin

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Moisturising is vital for all skin types but especially for very dry skin.I usually suggest something called sandwich therapy,Oil the skin with a plant oil like coconut oil 15 to 20 mins before bath,take bath with a mild glycerine soap and immediately moisturise with a naturally based moisturiser.This will plug the dryness

Kashmiri asked, What Medicine should one to use to one use to ecne or pimple marks..

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Acne needs to be treated by a dermatologist as it can manifest in different grades.It can be treated successfully wth antibiotics,retinoids,benzoyl peroxide etc.Do visit a skin specialist immediately

Vandana asked, Gnoon Doc. My daughter is 15 years old. 2 months back she developed rashes on her arms, legs n neck. These rashes would come and go. I have consulted a dermatologist. He has said that she is suffering from 'URTICARIA' Since last two months she has been on ALEGRA 180 twice a day. Can you please tell me how long will her condition take to settle down. Will she have any side effects due to continuous use of ALEGRA 180. Thanks

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Yes,urticaria can persist for over 6 months also.Allegra is very safe,however she may benefit even more by a combination of two drugs.Ask your doctor if she can take levocetirizine or misolastine once a day and allegra once a day

white spot asked, my wife has small white spot on left leg even at urinary place. What could be the reason? I am much worried.

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, White spots come due to various reasons including chronic injury>have a dermatologist look at the same ASAP.

sandy asked, hi doc i have patch like on my right cheek due to applying garlic paste on the pimples as read in the skin column suggested by a skin specialist , pls advice

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Pimples are a slin problem and need to be treated properly by a dermatologist.Do not self medicate or use home remedies.See a specialist who will treat the pimples and the patch

Dr Santhanam is a gold-medallist in dermatology from Mumbai University. She holds several medical osts in flagship organisations like Kaya, Gal Derma, Cipla and Novartis and has authored the best-selling book Skin Deep: An Inside Out Approach To Looking Good, Naturally.

rkrishnareddy asked, madam i get icthing on legs and hands few times and after rubbing that becomes small bubble kind of things which are itchy and observed after few days they disappear on their own. but it is often during past 6 to 7years. what is this and what is the remedy

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, you might be suffering from a kind of skin cndition called xerotic or dry skin eczema.start moisturising your skin immediately ,preferably with a natural oil /ingredient based moisturiser like coconut oil.See a skin specialist to fix the patch permanently

devi asked, Hi Dr.Aparna, I have very bad sun-tan and pigmentation on my face and the skin looks very un-evenly colored. I went for a single glycolic peel session but as i was then living in chennai and could not stay out of Sun, the sun-burns dint budge. Can you advise a long term solution i can stick on to? I use a sunscreen with SPF 30+ and occasionally do Anti-tan packs. I have a normal to oily skin.

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Whay you need is a good skin care routine of cleansing,exfoliation and protection.Cleanse with a brightening face wash,use a cream with 6 % glycolic acid or retinol,a sunscreen with uva and Uvb blockers (Day) and a mild moisturiser at night.Glycolic peels help but only if you do 4 to 6 sessions

anjeev asked, iam having this chronic acne problem for the past 8 years . dermatologists gives the medicines then it reduces for few months, but comes back after some time. it is really irritating. is there a permanent remedy???

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Ask your dermatologist for the option of using isotretinoin in short spurts.Acne is all about good control not permanent cure

Aishwarya asked, Is coconut good for skin care?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Coconut is an excellent ingredient for skin care.It has both excellent moisturising and nourishing properties including a unique mechanism of moisturising the skin rapidly and for a longer span than expected.Coconut water with potassium brightens the skin and in addition,cocont based creams and moisturisers soothe and hydrate the skin beautifully!

Tina asked, I used to have great soft skin when I was younger, in college...Over the years, I think I have ignored this and my skin feel dry...besides dry it does not look 'alive' and soft. Please recommend some natural ingredients/remedies

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Hi Tina, passage of time affects all our skin.Eat a healthy diet rich in multi coloured vegetables and grains .use a good moisturiser not only on your face but also on your body regularly after using a mild glycerine based soap .Use moisturiser with natural ingredients like aloe vera,honey ,turmeric and coconut.Drink plenty of water and reduce sugar and dairy products

archana asked, hi docter how to remove dark spots on face that remain after pimples

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, This is one of the most difficult issues in dermatology.Ask your doctor to prescribe a cream with kojic or glycolic acid tyo apply.Chemical peels and microdermabrasion can also help bu you need multiple sessions

manisha asked, hi doc! i am 34 yrs old and have lot of dark eye cicles and pigmentation on my skin. i got treatment for acne which is almost cured now but have marks behind.Please advise some remedy

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Dark circles come because of multiple reasons and only some of them are treatable.Sleep with a firm pillow,massage your eyes gently as soon as you wake up .use a cream with arbutin and vitamin K to reduce the darness.Use a sunscreen that is tinted to protect the skin and improve its appearance

Jayadesh asked, Hello Dr!For Sebaceous cyst will pressing the affected area with towel soaked inwarm water twice for 10 days show result?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Usually,No,Sebaceous cyst will almost always need removal

Navin asked, Which oil message is better for dry skin 15 mibnutes before the bath? 1. Coconut 2. Mustard 3. Olive

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, All vegetables have good benefit on dry skin.However,a lot of research in a scientific manner has been done on coconut oil which show that it is an excellent skin moisturiser which uniquely locks moisture into the skin.It aklso nourishes and soothes and the skin and can provide relief from immediate sun burn.Hence,coconut is an excellent moisturiser for the skin

jayvrao asked, I have been having couple of warts in my neck, have tried using DUOFILM for some time & it just dosnt seem to ware off,Is there is option apart from burning it. Thanks Dr.Aparna.

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, In Allopathy,would advise removal of the same for a permanent cure.

ANIL asked, ANY MEDICINE FOR REMOVAL OF DEAD SKIN

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Using a good moisturiser is an effective way of removing the dead skin.

pankaj asked, Could you please suggest me shampoo which is good for hair that will prevent hair fall?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Shampoo usually cleanses hair and only removes already falling hair.If you experience heavy hair fall,see a dermatologist who will treat you for the same

Samaira asked, hi doc, which is a good home ingredient to use for skin moisturising?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Honey,aloe vera,coconut oil are all good ingredients for moisturising the skin

asdad asked, Hi, my skin gets dark due to acidity,pls provide suggestion to make normal.

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, skin darkening is commonly because of sun exposure and not acidity.Use a sunscren regularly to prevent it.

A_K asked, Hi Doc! i am having two scars on my face. One is on the chhek and the other one is above the upper lip. What is the procedure to get rid of scars ?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Your scars have to be assessed for depth,colour and elasticity before treating.Please see a dermatologist for the same

zenmonk asked, my wife is diagonised with pityriosis rosea. what is the treatment recommended? what is the cause and is it contagious?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, It is a skin condition that comes after chest infections.It is not contagious and using a simple lotion with calamine and aloevera or coconut oil can make it go away

Anurag asked, hi Dr. Aparna my skin is dry and b'coz of this rashes are on my skin every where especially my arms, face and legs.what i'm i supposed to do?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Your skin sounds like it really needs a moisturiser.Use a light or mild soap after massaging coconut oil into your skin and follow it up with a good natural moisturising body lotion

Anuya asked, I am getting married next month and wish to have a soft skin.What are the ingredients that can give me soft skin?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, There are three aspects,proper diet,proper sleep and proper skin care.Avoid sugar,eat plenty of grains and vegetables and drink water adequately.use a body moisturising lotion everyday after your shower and ensure you get adequate sleep to get the best possible skin.

Roohi asked, Is moisturising across seasons essential?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Yes,Moisturising is important right through the year.use a natural ingredient based moisturiser to keep your skin refreshed and light!

vas asked, To use aloe vera in natural form ,can we use the gels available in market?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Yes,you can,however ,ensure taht it is a known and reputable brand that you are using

Venky asked, Why do warts come ? Is it advisable to get it removed in the Beauty Saloons

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Warts are a viral infection.TYou need to see a dermatologist,definitely not beauty parlours

Justmarried asked, hi i have just gotten married and am going for my honeymoon soon. we are gng to europe for a trip, so im affraid on getting very dry skin. please suggest remedies for ensuring that mys kin remains smooth during my trip

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Hi,there are no magic tricks to getting smooth skin.the trick is to moisturise and moisturise through all seasons.use natural ingredients like honey,turmeri,cocnut,almonds and walnuts in oils or scrubs for lovely skin every day!

Roohi asked, hi im am tired of using these chemical creams as my skin is very sensitive and reacts to the chemicals very strongly. they feel very harsh on my skin. can you suggest some natural ingredients which i can use as alternative remedies for nourishinh skin

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Hi,Roohi,I have touched on this earlier.natural ingredients are excellent on skin.Honey is an antiseptic,turmeric is antibacterial,neem is burn healing and coconut is an incredible moisturiser and nourisher.So,go ahead and pamper your skin!

Venky asked, I have been using Hair Colour regularly for more than 10 years. Just wanted to understand from you if it is fine using hair colour with Ammonia, or should that be avoided.

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Should definitely be avoided,there are better alternatives today!

kp asked, Hi If i use any moisturizer on my face , my skin becomes dark ... so what do i do ? ..PLS HELP :)

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Use a sunscreen too alonng with the moisturiser as you are tanning due to sun not due to moisturiser

ady asked, Hi. Can you please suggest a gud sunscreen for men????

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, any sunscreen with dual blockers whih block uv a and uvb will be good for you

raj_028 asked, am been losing hair for the last 2 years.... I checked with a dermantologist and he prescribed Mintop forte... that didnt seem to arrest hair fall.. so i stopped it (after using for 2 years)few months back.. after which hairfall has icreased in greater degree and am growing bald. I am just 30 years... is there any solution?

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Yes,There are oral medications like finasteride 1 mg which arrest and reverse hair fall.you could check on the same with your doctor along with more protein,calcium and amino acids in your diet

Reshmi asked, Hello doctor, why u r not answering any of the vitilgo queries????

Dr Aparna Santhanam answers, Vitiligo is a very complex condition which needs the physical attention odf a good dermatologist.

Dr Aparna Santhanam says, Sorry everyone,that is all the time we have today.Apologise to those whose questions could not be answered today,will definitely do so in future chats!have a great day everyone:-)