June 29, 2010
What causes darkened and coarse skin?
Image by Don Regachuelo
Dear Dr. Perry,
Hello and greetings!
I find your column helpful and interesting especially for those beauty seekers and keepers. And it never occurred to me that I would be one of them until I encountered this problem of mine.
I'm 22 years old and a newly registered nurse. Being a nurse, needless to say, I am very much aware of and concerned with keeping my skin soft, smooth, and clear. My problem is my skin, especially in the lower and upper extremities (particularly my elbows and knees). From being soft, smooth, and clear skin, my skin became darker, shinier, and even coarser when we started using deep well water. I can't blame the sun because I seldom go out of the house and have avoided it ever since I noticed my skin started to change. I now feel insecure since my boyfriend has smooth and clear skin. Though I want to wear casual summer dresses like mini skirts and sleeveless blouses, I can't.
Does continous use of water from deep well have internal and external effects on the skin? Can it alter skin texture and turgor? How can I keep my skin smooth, soft, and clear without using bleaching solution? Can you give me a short term plan for my problem?
My second problem is about my long and curly hair at the anterior surface of both legs. I am told that once I shave it off, it will become thicker, curlier, and longer - and I should do the shaving religiously. How could I prevent hair from my legs from getting longer and curlier without shaving and using expensive hair remover?
I'm afraid my boyfriend would drop me if he finds out that his GF has macho hair on the legs. I'm not even sure how long he can accept my excuses for not baring my skin whenever he asks me out during summer.
Please excuse me if I ask for an urgent response. I am in a great torment, totally depressed, and deprived because of my condition. I know it is not a mattert of life and death but I'm really bothered especially now that he's coming home. I hope to receive an answer from you 'coz I'm totally in need of your advice!
Thanks in advance!
—Name Witheld
Dr. Perry replies:
You did not mention in your letter whether the change in color and texture of your skin was preceeded by an infection after using the deep well water. Basing on the description of the skin changes, I would presume there was some sort of "irritation" that lead to a dark, shiny, and coarse skin.
This type of skin is often the result of irritation like friction and infection. For elbows and knees, the most common cause is friction - kneeling for the knees, and pressure from armchairs and tables for the elbows. In some instances, some individuals are allergic to paints and varnish used in furniture. Contact with these products will produce hypersensitivity reactions that may lead to a darker and coarser skin. You may use proprietary medicines for allergy like anti-histamines to control hypersensitivity reactions.
If the darkening of the skin is due to infection, the phenomenon is known as post-inflammatory pigmentation (hyperpigmentation). The water from the deep well may or may not have been the source of infection. One way of finding out is to get a water sample from the well and submit it to the laboratory for bacterial count. With this laboratory procedure, you will be able to determine if the water is safe for bathing or drinking.
For active infection, you may use oral or topical antibacterial preparations. If you want to hasten the lightening of the skin, you may apply depigmenting topical cream or lotion. Just make sure to use sunblock the moment you start using these depigmenting praparations
With regard to your hairy legs, shaving does not necessarily mean that your hair will grow thicker, longer, and curlier. You can shave as often as you like and there will be no side effects. The same is true with chemical depilatories (e.g. Veet). Prolonged use does not produce untoward reactions, unless you are allergic to its components. You may also try using wax to remove unwanted hairs on your body.
Dr. Perry de la Cruz obtained his medical degree from the University of Sto. Tomas. He is a diplomate of the Philippine Board of Cosmetic Surgery; a fellow of the Philippine Society for Cosmetic Surgery and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery; and a member of the Asian Pacific Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. He pioneered research on "Serial Revision of Leg Scars" in 1988. His clinic is at:
Asian Hospital and Medical Center
Unit 518 Medical Office Building
205 Civic Drive, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Telephone no. (632) 771-9246
Visit his web site at www.geocities.com/docperryster or e-mail him at docperryster@gmail.com.
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