Readers weigh in on hiding or removing facial dark spots
Readers set a new record for the number of responses, this time to Jennifer T., who developed a brown spot on her face and was looking for solutions that really work. Thanks for your help and here goes:
See a dermatologist to confirm it’s noncancerous. Jeff F., a doctor, writes, “Now is a good time to remind your readers of the importance of learning the ABCDEs of skin cancer, as well as a yearly visit to the dermatologist, regardless of skin tone.”
Others who made the same urgent point, many of them with personal experience with skin cancer: Julia M., Martha L., Mary J., Marnah L., Kathy G., Olga W., Jeanette K., Linn, Ann M., Marti B., Beth S., Cheryl L.
■ Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Dark Spot Corrector (neutrogena. com, $22.49) “Spot went away like that!” — Mary Beth K.
■ Clinique Even Better Clinical Radical Dark Spot Corrector + Interrupter (sephora.com, $54.50)
— Felicia T.
■ No7 concealers (us. no7beauty.com; ulta.com)
“My very large brown spots on both cheeks have almost completely disappeared.” — Sandi M.
■ Ambi Skincare Fade Cream (amazon.com, $11.99) — Antoinette C.
■ Liquid nitrogen applied by dermatologist (cryotherapy) — Marybeth D., Ronnee T.; (From Ellen: This worked for me.)
■ Hydroquinone by prescription — Janice M., Keith P.
■ Retin-A by prescription — JoAnn O.
■ Laser treatments by an aesthetician — Mary M., Ann G.
■ Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Brightening Eye Perfector (brush-on concealer) (neutrogena. com, $13.99) — Olga V.
■ Licorice root extract liquid (amazon.com, $12.49) — Suzie M.
■ CM Beauty concealers (cm-beauty.com) — Felicia T., Beverly S., Cynthia M.
■ Mary Kay Clinical Solutions Retinol 0.5 (marykay.com for consultants, $78) — Carol P.
■ Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel (drdennisgross.com, $88) and Dr. Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum ($92) “Within two months the spot was gone.” — Theresa M.
■ Gold Bond Ultimate Dark Spot Minimizing Body Cream (amazon.com, $9.34) — Maria W.
■ Oil of Olay Regenerist products (drugstores) — Ann M. Dear Answer Angel
Ellen: I am being bombarded by neck cream ads and other remedies for sagging and neck wrinkles. Do you or your readers have any advice on favorite products? It is very confusing.
— Fiona M.
Dear Fiona: Confusing for sure. But until they invent a way to defy gravity, there’s nothing that truly makes our necks sag-free (except a visit to the plastic surgeon). You can douse those bags and wrinkles with creams, lotions, potions, serums, oils, peels, extracts and gels, but I have not found one that makes more than a tiny difference. I’d be thrilled to learn that I’m wrong. But on this one, I doubt it.
Reader Rant
From Bev K.: “I don’t understand why most of the companies make sandals with a piece of fabric in between the toes. It is much thicker than the piece of rubber or plastic that they used to use. The fabric is very irritating and causes blisters. Is it just me or do other people dislike this also?”
Now it’s your turn
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds — on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty — to answerangelellen@gmail.com.