At-home treatments: While Kauvar says that in-office procedures work best, you can get results with topical products at home. Look for products with retinoids and/or vitamin C to stimulate collagen, which will help tighten the skin and minimize the look of depressed acne scars. (Try: SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0, $48 or Dermalogica ChromaWhite TRx System, $188.)
In-office treatments: Kauvar says you can use resurfacing lasers to cause new collagen growth (which will fill in the depressions of the scars). Another option is "subcision, where a needle is inserted beneath the skin to break up the scar tissue," Kauvar says. "Often multiple different approaches are needed for best results."
Photo 5/13
Extreme Hair Breakage
What causes it: Teuschler lays out a laundry list of breakage causes: chemical treatments and over-processing your hair (like too much coloring, bleaching or perming), too much combing or brushing, too much heat styling (blow drying, flat ironing or curling), too much sun or even scratching your scalp too much.
How to fix it: Aside from the obvious, which is to minimize all the factors above, look for products that contain silicones, like dimethicone, to coat the hair and make it less prone to tangling (and getting broken when you brush your hair). Try not to brush hair when it's wet, instead use a leave-in conditioner to combat tangles (try: Marco Pelusi Anti-Frizz Leave-In Conditioner, $35 or TreSemme Detangle Leave-In Spray, $4.73). You can also do weekly deep conditioning treatments to help add moisture back to your hair (try Pantene Relaxed & Natural Breakage Defense Deep Conditioning Mask, $5.99). Teuschler adds that if your breakage is coming from scratching your scalp, use an anti-dandruff shampoo with pyrithione zinc to stop the itching.
Photo 6/13
Melasma
What it is: "Melasma is known as 'the mask of pregnancy' and can occur in pregnancy, with birth control pills or with no additional hormones beyond those of being a woman," Waldrof says. It typically looks like mottled brown discoloration on your cheeks, forehead or upper lip. It's triggered by UV exposure.
How to treat it: Topical retinoids and hydroquinone can help lighten the areas, Waldorf says. You can also try microdermabrasion or light peels, or if that doesn't work, a dermatologist may recommend the fraxel laser. The most important thing for melasma sufferers is to be "vigilant with sun protection," Waldorf says, because it usually recurs with sun exposure.
Photo 7/13
Psoriasis
What it is: "Psoriasis is a skin disorder characterized by red scaly plaques classically on the elbows and knees but also elsewhere on the body," Waldorf says.
How to treat it: For mild cases, topical moisturizers or steroids will usually work, but for more extreme cases, your dermatologist will need to prescribe a biologic drug, Waldorf says. Unfortunately, psoriasis can't be prevented.
Photo 8/13
Excessive Facial Hair or Hirsuitism
Who is susceptible: Waldorf says this problem can be genetic or hormonal. "If you have significant facial hair in a male pattern area, it is important to have lab tests by your physician (your dermatologist, gynecologist or endocrinologist)," she says. "Some women with excessive facial hair have polycystic ovary syndrome which is treated by the endocrinologist."
How to treat it: "Beyond shaving, waxing and depilatories, which are all temporary ways to remove hair, the options for permanent hair removal are electrolysis or laser hair removal," Waldorf says. She adds that dark hair works best with laser removal, but it's important to find a doctor that knows what he or she is doing. Another option is prescription Vaniqa Cream, which can slow hair growth.
Sure, we all get the occasional breakout or dry patch of skin, but if you're suffering from a more serious hair or skin issue then you need serious help. That's why we asked Dr. Heidi Waldorf, director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, Arielle N. B. Kauvar, M.D., director of New York Laser & Skin Care, Jerry Teuschler, Principal Scientist for Proctor and Gamble Beauty and Grooming Science, and Head & Shoulders hairstylist Ryan Trygstad to weigh in. They gave advice for the big issues facing TotalBeauty.com readers (per their outreach for help on our message boards and in letters to the editors), so read on for relief from your hair and skin woes.