Dr Lea Sar Soh

Underarm hair removal is a routine for most women, and increasingly, for men as well. Methods can be divided into temporary or semi-permanent. Temporary methods such as plucking, waxing, shaving, epilation, depilation creams etc removes the visible hair shaft and leaves the hair bulge and hair bulb intact. Semi-permanent methods such as intensed pulse light (IPL) and lasers disrupts the hair bulge and hair bulb. This disruption results in reduced hair growth. Underarm hair removal treatments nowadays are largely focused on semi-permanent methods.

Hi, thank you for your question and photo. Looking at the photo, some of the large pores may actually be atrophic acne scars. It is best to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis before commencing treatment.

Hi, You may have underlying eczema if you are prone to recurrent dry and itchy skin. It is important to apply a moisturiser regularly to reduce eczema flares and the tendency to scratch, to prevent new areas of hyperpigmentation. A course of Q-switch laser treatments will help to lighten the hyperpigmented marks. Hope this helps!

Hi, Thank you for your question and photo. It appears that you have a solar lentigo a. k. a sun spot on your left cheek. It is a pigmented spot that is due to sun damage. There are mainly 2 ways of removing/lightening the spot: 1) Topical creams: Formulations containing hydroquinone and/or tretinoin and a variety of lightening agents such as kojic acid and azelaic acid may be used to lighten solar lentigo. However, it usually takes a long time and results vary across individuals. Most of the time, there would not be complete removal of the spot.

Yes, Coolsculpt can be performed after a Caesarean section. 2 years is an adequate time for the Caesarean scar to heal and mature. The freezing effect penetrates into the fat layer beneath the skin only, and does not affect the deeper muscle layers. For postpartum mums who also tend to have loose abdominal skin, radiofrequency treatments such as Vanquish and Exilis are a good choice. Apart from breaking down fat cells, the treatment also stimulates collagen regeneration and remodelling, resulting in firmer, tighter skin.

Hi, There are several topical retinoid derivatives which differ in their chemical structures. I assume you are referring to tretinoin, which is the active form of retinoid and is only available by prescription. It has been widely studied over at least 30 years for treating acne and preventing signs of ageing (wrinkles, skin thickness, new collagen formation, pigmentation and age spots). The most common side effect is known as “retinization” - redness, burning or itching sensation, and/or flaky skin. This generally resolves after the first few weeks.

Thank you for your question and photo. Due to limited resolution of the photo, it is difficult to conclusively diagnose the type of pigmentation that you have. It looks like you have solar lentigines and/or melasma. It would be best if you consult a doctor for a definitive diagnosis. Depending on the type of pigmentation you have, a combination of laser (e. g. Q switch laser) and topical whitening agents e. g. Hydroquinone, Azelaic acid, Kojic acid etc. may be used. Type and number of sessions needed again depends on the type of pigmentation you have.

Hi, Seborrheic Keratosis is one of the most common noncancerous skin growths in older adults. The exact cause is unknown. They tend to run in the family, so inheritance may play a role. There are a few methods for removing seborrheic keratosis. They include electrocautery, cryotherapy and ablative lasers e. g. CO2 laser. CO2 laser ablation of seborrheic keratosis is the method I use as it offers the most precision and control when removing the lesion.

The issue you are facing is a very common problem faced by many people. Looking at your photos, you essentially have post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (the brown spots), superficial scars and enlarged pores. Although post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) self resolves, it may take months to years! Topical creams containing retinoids and hydroxyquinone can be prescribed to hasten the lightening of the marks. Use of sunblock is also very important as sunlight exposure can darken the spots.

Hi, Dermal fillers refer to a variety of substances that can be injected into the skin for filling in creases and lines, enhancing facial contours and plumping up the lips and cheeks. The term "Dermal" actually refers to the dermis layer of the skin and is the layer which fillers are most appropriately injected into. However dept of injection is dependent on filler type and anatomical location of injection. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers refers to fillers made of hyaluronic acid (Juvederm, Restylane). HA is a naturally occurring substance in the skin .

I have been offering both these treatments in my clinic for years, and this is a question I am asked almost daily! Both fractional CO2 lasers and Infini microneedle rf are great treatments for acne scars. I will explain how both work, and how I choose the appropriate treatment for each of my patients. Fractional CO2 Laser How does it work? Fractional CO2 Laser works by ablating or burning away certain parts of the skin while leaving other parts of the skin untouched. The ablated skin will be stimulated to grow new skin and collagen.

Hi, Facial cleansing devices such as Foreo and Clarisonic may be effective for acne-prone skin, though there are many other methods to treat clogged pores and to help with acne-prone skin. Facial devices keep pores clear by physically (manually) removing dirt, makeup, old sebum and dead skin. Other physical exfoliants such as konjac sponges are also good alternatives. Some people prefer chemical exfoliants - skincare products containing glycolic and/or salicylic acids - that clean out excess sebum and dead skin cells from pores, which are also effective in preventing acne.

Hi Ming Lim,This is a common request I get in my Clinic. At the age of 40, it is important to reverse effects of aging and preserve existing to slow down aging. You are concerned about your crowfeet, skin complexion and poor skin elasticity. I will recommend the following treatments to address your concerns. I will also recommend treatments with minimal downtime, yet with visible improvements. 1) Crowfeet To reduce your crowfeet, I will recommend botulinum injection to the skin around your eyes. Results will set in 3 days later with maximum results in 2 weeks.

The pigmentation on your lower and upper eyelids is indeed obvious. One of the common causes of this could be due to allergic rhinitis or conjunctivitis . It will be good to get them treated if that is what you experience regularly. The pigmentation can also be hereditary and I have seen kids as young as 12 having the same pigmentation that you have. I have a few different lasers in my clinic. I will prefer to use the Fotona 3D Laser as it is able to treat both your upper and lower eyelids.

I would recommend you to try radio-frequency V-Face Treatment which is non-invasive and effective. It will help to lift and tighten the skin at your lower face, achieving a sharper and more defined face shape. The treatment will also lift the cheeks area and reduce nasolabial folds. Patients usually see noticeable results right after the treatment. It's recommended to have at least 5 sessions to achieve longer-lasting results. You can also consider Thermage or ultherapy to the chin and lower face if you only have time for one treatment .