Friend suggests visit to dermatologist
Dear Harriette: I have developed some dark spots on my face over the past few years. I cover them up with makeup, but they seem to be getting worse. A friend keeps chastising me for spending time in the sun. I have been a sun worshipper for most of my life. I am now in my 50s. Now I worry sun exposure may be the reason for these marks. I have never gone to a dermatologist. My friend says I should. I always thought that was an extravagant doctor to visit and that only rich people did it. She says it’s smart to go because then you know what you need to do to care for your skin. What do you think? — Skin Care
Dear Skin Care: Dermatologists recommend that you visit them once a year to check on the health of your skin. Your skin is the largest organ in your body, believe it or not. Everyone should have their skin evaluated. If you have had a lot of sun exposure, even in the distant past, you especially should check to make sure that you do not have skin cancer. Yes, hyperpigmentation can come from overexposure to the sun.
Schedule an appointment today. You do not have to be rich to do this. You will be smart to go so that you can learn how best to protect and care for your skin. What you should not do is put skin lightening products on your face without a doctor’s supervision. Such treatments can cause further damage to your skin.
Dear Harriette: My son used to be an overachiever. Now he hangs out in his room playing video games.
He hardly ever comes out to talk to the family. He dropped out of college during the pandemic, and he doesn’t want to go back. I worry about him. Some of his behaviors are on the checklist for depression. I cannot get him to go to a therapist or anything. How can I help my son? — Worried Sick
Dear Worried Sick: Who are your son’s friends? Do you think any of them might be a good influence on him? Perhaps you can coax your son out of his room through friends who invite him to hang out or come to visit. Plan a family vacation that will pull him out of the house and get him doing something different.
Do your best to get your son to talk to you or someone else in the family. Make light conversation — not probing questions. You may also need to use tough love. Tell him he has to get a job if he is not going to continue going to school. He has to be responsible for himself. You can push him to take action.
If none of that works, stage an intervention.
Get a therapist to make a house call and talk to him about what’s going on. You should take this seriously. Many people have suffered tremendously during the last few years, too often with depression being the diagnosis. If your son is possibly suffering from depression, you need to get him medical attention now — even if he gets mad at you in the short term.