Chroma Dermatology

😳 During summer we get asked a lot about risk in patients with

👩🏽‍⚕️ Our founder, Dr. Michelle Rodrigues, has published on this very topic in textbooks and medical journals and states that people with vitiligo don’t have a higher risk of skin cancer compared with the general population.

She states “There are some genetic traits that actually decrease skin cancer risk in . It’s complex and intriguing. It may even provide insights into future treatments.

☀️However, those with vitiligo are at higher risk of burning from ultraviolet light exposure in affected areas (in white spots)...so don’t forget to be

👉🏾 For people getting regular ( ) as part of their plan, Dr. Rodrigues recommends wearing a hat, sunscreen, and seeking shade when out and about to avoid burning.

🔗 Visit the link in our bio to see this article in full

😀 Today, the Chroma Dermatology team took time out to celebrate and reflect on 2021.

🙏🏼 We are so grateful to have such a talented, dedicated team and are very excited about 2022.

🙌🏼 Thankyou all for your support

😎 The sun was shining and the food, drinks and backdrop for our lunch was perfect thanks to

😀 Today, the Chroma Dermatology team took time out to celebrate and reflect on 2021. 🙏🏼 We are so grateful to have such a talented, dedicated and collaborative team and are very excited about 2022. 🙌🏼 Thankyou all for your support this year! 😎 ps. The sun was shining and the food, drinks and backdrop for our lunch was perfect thanks to @montaltovineyard #christmasiscoming #endofyear #dermatologist #dermatologistmelbourne #teamwork #christmasparty

💧 Sweating is the body’s natural way of controlling body temperature and responding to stress. In response to these stimuli, the brain sends chemical signals to the sweat glands in the skin via nerves which makes them produce sweat. Through evaporative cooling, the sweat cools the skin.

🤔 What is hyperhidrosis? — Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) affects about 2% of the population and is the cause of anxiety and embarrassment. It can stain clothes and negatively impact business, social and even romantic relationships. It may affect the underarms (called axillary hyperhidrosis) or the palms and soles (called palmoplantar hyperhidrosis) and less often can even affect the scalp and other parts of the body.

👀 So what are the causes of hyperhidrosis? — There are two types of hyperhidrosis:

☝🏽 Primary hyperhidrosis – this causes sweating in localised regions (like the axilla, palms, soles). The exact cause is not known but it may be due to genetic factors (hereditary)

✌🏻 Secondary hyperhidrosis – this causes excessive sweating all over the body or over a large area of the body and may be due to heat or certain medical conditions. Conditions like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, menopause, pregnancy, infections and some cancers can cause generalised sweating.
It is important to chat to your doctor about your symptoms in order to work out if there is an underlying reason for your sweating.

🔗 Visit the link in our bio for more information about:

👉🏻 What treatments are available for hyperhidrosis?

👉🏼 Antiperspirants

👉🏽 Other topical agents

👉🏾 Injectable treatment

👉🏿 What is this injectable treatment?

👉🏻 How does the injectable treatment work?

👉🏼 How is the treatment performed?

👉🏽 What happens after the treatment?

👉🏾 How long does the effect of the injected treatment last?

👉🏿 Are there any side effects from the injectable treatment?

👉🏻 Oral (tablet) treatments

👉🏼 Surgery

👉🏽 What can you do to enjoy a sweat-free summer where you can ooze confidence in the clothes you love?

💬 If you or someone you know suffers from excessive sweating, contact us to find out how we can help.

It’s a question we get asked over and over again and that is because dermatosis papulosa nigra is just so common in those with skin of colour. The good news is that there is a way to safely remove these in people with darker skin types.

So here is a little more about what those black spots on your face could be and how you can get them treated. Please note brown or black spots could also be freckles, moles (naevi), skin cancers or even uncommon conditions causing pigment to develop in the dermis (second layer of the skin). Here, we are taking a closer look at dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN).

What is DPN? — DPN is a cluster of small 1-5mm benign spots mainly seen on the face and neck. They don’t cause any symptoms and are not cancerous but are a cosmetic concern for many people.

Who gets DPN? — DPN is more common in those with skin of colour. Ever wondered what the spots were on Morgan Freeman’s face? Yes, its DPN. And now that you know about it, you will start to see more of it in people with African skin, Indian skin and Pacific Islander skin types.

How can DPN be treated? — DPN often co-exists with other pigment problems like melasma so it is important to properly assess each patient in order to determine the best treatment plan for that individual.

While scraping, laser and liquid nitrogen are sometimes used, this poses many risks in skin of colour including scarring and brown blotches.

We often use a radiofrequency device (safe in people of all ages and stages of life) to safely, quickly and effectively treat DPN. It feels like a little prick on the skin but doesn’t cause any ongoing discomfort. Treatment normally takes no more than 15mins. It is best to consider maintenance treatment every 1-3 years to keep on top of newly developing spots.

How does the skin look after the treatment? — No numbing cream or pain killers are needed for this procedure but we often use ice to help with any mild discomfort. While there is a very small risk of transient pigmentation in treated areas most people only small little mosquito bites for about 12-24hrs in treated areas followed by a small pinpoint scab. These small crusts fall off in about a week.

IRON OXIDE

What is it? 🤷🏽‍♀️
are chemical compound composed of iron and oxygen. It occurs in nature as the mineral magnetite.

The Good 🙂
Iron oxide can be added to physical sunscreens to increase the absorption and protection against visible light and UVA radiation. This visible light protection is critical for protecting against pigmentary issues like and skin darkening, especially in those with

The Bad🙃
Iron oxide is tinted so after application the skin can look darker. Finding a tone that suits you is a good idea before purchasing an iron oxide-containing
The next step
Consider a sunscreen that contains iron oxide (we do have a few favourites so feel free to reach out to us to get our thoughts on this)

Your voice 📣
We would love to hear which iron oxide containing sunscreens are in your 'favourite' box

👉🏼👈🏼 To squeeze or not to squeeze? We’ll admit that we are no skin saints. We have stood in front of the mirror on a number of occasions as teenagers with a big pimple staring right back at us and yes, despite being advised not to, we have squeezed, picked and popped.

But is this really a crime against the skin?

The answer is yes. Squeezing and trying to pop pimples is definitely not the best solution and can actually make your skin worse.

🤔 How do pimples form?
- Acne is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions in adolescents. More than 80% of teenagers battle with pimples. It can also occur later in life for a number of reasons, including an imbalance of hormones called androgens.
- Oil glands (sebaceous glands), located in the skin at the base of the hair follicle, excrete oil (sebum) to lubricate the surface of the skin and hair. All parts of the body contain sebaceous glands, except the palms and soles of the feet.

😬 Why shouldn’t I squeeze?
- A pimple is like a little bag under the skin that contains oil, bacteria and inflammation. Squeezing it can result in these contents being pushed into surrounding skin, making the problem worse. It can also lead to infection and temporary darkening of the skin in that area.
- The inflammation can also become so bad that scarring is left behind when the pimple finally settles down. And scarring (unlike the pimple) can be permanent.
- If you resist the urge to squeeze, pimples will usually resolve over a week or so without scarring. The “white” contents will also settle down or spontaneously pop when ready.
- If large pimples require urgent treatment, a dermatologist can get rid of the contents of a pimple safely. They may also give it an injection that decreases inflammation and the pimple in a day or so.

🤭 How can I prevent pimples?
1. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet low in sugar
2. Avoid excessive scrubbing, cleansing and exfoliating
3. Choose oil-free cleansers, moisturisers and sunscreen
4. Choose silicone-based hair products rather than greasy ones

👐🏻And if you do get pimples, try to resist the urge to squeeze!

🤔 DidYouKnow Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world?
😳About 16,000 people will be diagnosed with this year.
⏰ One melanoma is diagnosed every 30 minutes.
👩🏽‍💼We sat down to ask the expert, , about , causes, prevention and newer treatments and more are in our latest blog (Link in bio)

🧴Sunscreen is a vital component of but many people with darker skin tones (skin of colour) think their natural skin colour is enough to protect them from the harsh effects of ultra-violet light. Dr. Michelle Rodrigues too was under this assumption in her younger years. But this could not be further from the truth. Those with darker skin tones still need . And here are the reasons why:

👉🏽 1. People with skin of colour do burn — is the pigment that gives skin its colour and people with skin of colour do have ‘in built sunscreen.’ Those with skin types for example, have an intrinsic sun-protection factor ( ) while those with white skin have a lower SPF.

👉🏾 2. People with skin of colour are prone to pigmentation — UV-B, UV-A and visible light exposure contribute to brown spots and blemishes ( ) in the skin of colour population. Pigmentation is one of the most common reasons for those with skin of colour to see a dermatologist (research has shown that pigmentation instantly makes a person look older and can cause depression and anxiety)

👉🏿 3. Sunscreen is one of the best methods for all skin types — Ultra-violet light, visible light and infra-red light contribute to skin aging. , , , and visible blood vessels are all caused at least in part, by UV exposure. UV also causes accelerated breakdown in the skin and weakens the cell’s immune responses. So, anyone who wants to be ‘forever young’ should make sunscreen part of their daily routine.

👉🏽 4. People with skin of colour to get — US studies have shown that while skin cancer is less common in those with skin of colour, it is often more advanced and more aggressive by the time it is diagnosed. This means it is more difficult to treat and results in more deaths. In addition, skin cancers in darker skin types are seen in unusual places. Melanomas, for example, are more often seen on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and nails.

Don't get caught red faced: The truth about Rosacea in Skin of Colour

✨ Did you know it's Rosacea Awareness Month? In honour of this month, we wanted to share some information on Rosacea and its differences specifically in Skin of Colour!

💡Rosacea is common condition that causes redness and pimples on the face. It is often missed or misdiagnosed in people with skin of colour.

👀 Occasionally rosacea can affect eyes and can cause dry, burning, gritty feeling in the eyes. Without treatment, ocular rosacea can affect eyesight.

👩🏼👩🏻👩🏾 Those with skin of colour generally get treated in the same way as those with lighter skin types. But early treatment is the key and treatment varies from person to person because the type, location and severity of the rosacea in addition to the patients skin colour needs to be taken into consideration.

👉🏼 Learn more about Rosacea in Skin of Colour in our blog (link in bio under Chroma’s Linktree)

We’re Hiring! 👏🏼👩🏽‍💻

Email us to find out more [email protected]

What is it? 🤷🏽‍♀️
Get ready for some chemistry everyone! stands for . It is an analogue analogue of acetic acid in which three hydrogen atoms of the methyl group are replaced by chlorine atoms. Well, I guess what we really care about is how the chlorine atoms actually help the skin, right?

TCA is a popular ingredient used in and to treat some types of (the technique we use is called )

The concentration of the acid determines the depth of pe*******on through the skin. 10-20% is superficial and more than 20% is medium depth. The concentration used will depend on what we are trying to achieve on the skin.

The Good: 🙂
TCA improves skin texture, tone, and surface pigmentation. It can also boost collagen formation which is helpful for skin rejuvenation, and acne scarring.

The Bad:🙃
TCA is not suitable for everyone. Those who have inflammatory skin conditions are best avoiding TCA. Certain concentrations (more than 20%) are not safe in people with .

TCA treatments may result in some redness, stinging and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation depending on what skin issue is being treated.

The Next Step: 👉🏼
To work out if can be of benefit you and your skin health, reach out to our friendly team.

Your Voice: 📣
We would love to hear if you have had skin treatments using TCA and what benefits you have noticed!

Did you know that October is Eczema awareness month? 💡

As Dermatologists in Melbourne, with our climate change and diverse population, we see and treats hundreds of patients each and every year with various eczema.

Click on the link in our bio to dispel the myths discussed with Dr Celestine Wong and discover how eczema is different in skin of colour! 👩🏽‍🏫

🌎 Today is World Skin Health Day. It was started in 2013 and aims to recognise and promote skin health around the world.

🤷🏽‍♀️Those with problems often feel they have no where to turn, that solutions do not exist and that others don’t really understand the impact the condition has on their every day lives.

But seeking help can help. That’s right; help, helps. It’s just a conversation away.

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about visible light and its effects on conditions like . What is the effect on visible light on the skin? How well does work to block visible light? What ingredients should you look out for? Is it worth considering wearing one each day? For the uncut version, please see the link in our bio

🔍 In 2008 a group in Montreal studied the effect of inorganic sunscreens against blue light and showed that iron oxide at a concentration of 3.2% was an effective blocker of visible light.

🔍 In 2010 a study reported visible light caused darker and most sustained hyperpigmentation than ultra-violet light A in those with darker skin types.

🔍 In 2013, a well-designed study from our colleagues in Mexico demonstrated that melasma lightens more when iron oxide- containing sunscreens are used compared with sunscreens that don’t contain iron oxides.

👀 The recent discussion on this topic seems to have resulted from a recent publication by a expert in the . This study tested the ability of the ingredient iron oxide, to block visible light in patients with Fitzpatrick skin type 4. This study applied a non-tinted mineral SPF50+ sunscreen and three other sunscreens with varying concentrations of iron oxide to the back of the 10 subjects in this study. Visible light was then shone on all four sites and bare skin. Results showed less pigmentation in the areas that contained sunscreens with iron oxide compared with bare skin and non-tinted mineral SPF50+.

👉🏼 Iron oxide-containing sunscreens have not been easy to obtain in Australia until recently. Fortunately, we now have several brands including with tint, compact sunscreen, Propaira (tinted sunscreen) and others like dermablend that contain iron oxide. (For those wondering, this is a post) One of these usually suits darker skin types and you don’t have to spend a heap of money to get the coverage and protection you need. And if all else fails, consider a foundation on top of your sunscreen as this too will block visible light.

👀 Background — Excessive ( ) affects about 2% of the population. It may negatively impact business, social and even romantic relationships. It may affect the underarms (called axillary hyperhidrosis) or the palms and soles (called palmoplantar hyperhidrosis) and less often can even affect the scalp and other parts of the body.‬
‪.‬
🇦🇺 ‪ injection treatments are available for . Treatment is subsidised in Australia for those that meet PBS criteria. The injections temporarily prevent the release of a chemical (acetylcholine) from the nerves that signals the sweat glands to activate.‬
‪.‬
‪✔️ Benefits — This very effective treatment gives, for most people, 4 months time after the first treatment. Longer periods usually occur with subsequent injections. No anaesthetic is required and there is no post-procedure discomfort or downtime at all!‬
‪.‬
‪❗️ Alert — Avoid vigorous exercise for 24 hours after the injections. Women who are pregnant, or breastfeeding cannot have treatment. Some other rare conditions may prevent treatment too.‬
‪.‬
‪👉🏼 To learn more about injection treatments for hyperhidrosis, check out the blog on our website (link in bio) or give our friendly team a call to book a consultation and/or appointment.‬
‪.‬
‪ #‬chromaderm

What is it? 🤷🏽‍♀️
is a naturally occurring fatty molecule (known as ‘lipid’) that is an effective moisturiser and antioxidant. Squalene is estimated to make up about 10 to 12 percent of your skin’s natural oil. It is usually derived from olives, wheat germ oil and rice bran. It has been used for several decades in .

We have an abundance of squalene in the skin in our teens and 20’s but the level’s start to decline when we hit our 30’s. It can be replenished with squalene-containing skincare preparations.

It is important to know that squalene and squalane is different. Squalane is a derivative of squalene and is much lighter. It is therefore a better option for acne-prone skin. 📝

The Good 🙂
Squalene moisturises the skin and in doing so, enhances the skin’s barrier function. It’s natural ability to ‘oil’ the skin leaves it feeling soft, smooth and less wrinkled. But it is also an and can help with and .

The Bad🙃
The effectiveness of squalene is decreased by oxygen. It therefore has a short shelf-life (quick expiry date) and needs to be stabilised before it is added to skincare preparations.

The next step 👉🏼
Squalene is usually found in cleansers and moisturisers. There are many options out there and the exact one that might be right for you will depend on your age, your skin colour and skin type and what problems you are seeking to prevent or correct.

Your voice 📢
We would love to hear your thoughts. Have you heard about squalene? Are you interested in working it into your skincare plan?

As a dermatology centre with focus on pigment, we occasionally get asked about skin whitening. 🤔

Skin whitening is a common asthetic procedure in some parts of the world. We do know however, that there are great dangers associated with skin whitening. ⚠️

In 2017, the ABC identified this as a key issue that all Australians needed to be aware of. The link in our bio will take you to the article with all the details that were uncovered during the interview with Dr. Rodrigues. 📰

👀 A combination of , and were affecting this man’s self-confidence. His background condition is and .‬

‪👉🏽 SWIPE to see how with one simple visit, we were able to remove 95% of the lumps and bumps on his nose. No plastic surgery, no stitches, no lasers and minimal downtime. We will also treat his background rosacea and put some measures in place for ongoing skin maintenance therapy.‬

‪ #‬chromaderm

👀 A combination of , and were affecting this man’s self-confidence. His background condition is and .‬

‪👉🏽 SWIPE to see how with one simple visit, we were able to remove 95% of the lumps and bumps on his nose. No plastic surgery, no stitches, no lasers and minimal downtime. We will also treat his background rosacea and put some measures in place for ongoing skin maintenance therapy.‬

‪ #‬chromaderm

Most people have heard about maskne and have read blogs on it. But check out our blog - it dives into the scientific research behind it and answers (in detail!) the top 4 questions we get asked.

Repost from
•
👀 Let’s face it, no one likes . But stats show it affects over 85% of teenagers in Australia have it. So how does it occur? How is it different in those with skin? Read our blog (link in bio) to get all the juicy details.

🌎 Acne was reported as the number one skin diagnosis in Chinese people living in the USA and the second most common diagnosis among people being treated in Singapore’s National Skin Centre. While Chinese skin encompasses light skin through to darker skin tones, there are some facts about acne in Chinese skin in general that you need to know.

⏳ 1. It needs to be treated early — Treating acne early will help prevent pigmentation and from occurring on the skin in areas where appear. So, jump onto seeing your doctor or dermatologist if pimples are cramping your style.

🧏🏻‍♂️ 2. Keloid scars may occur — People with Chinese skin are more likely to develop than those with Caucasian skin. Check out our blog on keloids to learn more (link in bio)

🧴 3. There is a higher chance of dermatitis with retinoid use — Vitamin A derived creams (tretinoin, adapalene and others) can cause redness, irritation and dryness of the skin. These side effects are more common in those with Chinese skin.

⚡️ 4. Not all lasers are safe — Carefully selecting lasers to treat , pigment and scarring is important if you want the best results with few side effects

We put under the microscope in part two of our melasma blog.

What are available to treat it? How is treatment different for ? What are best and what is the biggest breakthrough in in the last decade? We delve into the details in our latest blog.
Check out the link below.

•ARBUTIN•

What is it? 🤷🏽‍♀️
is a molecule extracted from the bearberry (uva-ursi) plant that prevents the formation of melanin ( ) in the skin by decreasing the enzyme (tyrosinase) that produces pigment. Arbutin breaks down to form . It is found in berries (cranberry, bearberry) and wheat. Research has shown the synthetic version, chemically known as deoxyarbutin, is more effective for than the natural derivative.

The Good 🙂
Lightens very mild brown spots on the superficial (top) part of the skin and helps even out . Conditions that cause mild like post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and very mild superficial can be helped by arbutin. Arbutin is generally safe for all skin types and has a low chance of irritation

The Bad 🙃
Heat can decrease the effectiveness of arbutin! Don't get this confused with beta-arbutin, which is a cheap version. It is not stable, so it is important to distinguish the forms of arbutin.

The next step: 👉🏼
Arbutin can be used twice a day and is generally safe to apply on clean skin with other creams and serums like vitamin C and alpha-hydroxy acids. It can also be used in the summer because it does not make the skin more sensitive to the sun. It can also be used for ‘hydroquinone’ holidays.

Your voice 🎤
We would love to hear your thoughts on this ingredient and what you pair it with!

Get the facts on melasma from our expert dermatologist on our most recent blog. Clicking the link below to get informed!

⚡️ Laser surgery has been in use for several decades by dermatologists around the world and have literally transformed the way we think about and treat some skin conditions.
🩸🧬💧 Lasers may be absorbed by various things in the skin like haemoglobin (red blood cells), melanocytes (pigment making cells) and water (a major component of skin).

👉🏼 Here are 3 ways you can get results from your laser treatment (visit the link in our bio for the full breakdown):

1. Get the right diagnosis first 👩🏽‍⚕️👨🏼‍⚕️ It sounds easy but even dermatologists find topics like pigmentation challenging. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that way too many clinics are misdiagnosing patients and risking serious complications. There are over 45 causes of pigment on the face! Be sure your medical provider knows the difference between these conditions

2. Ensure your provider is highly trained and experienced 👀 Lasers are powerful devices, but results are only as good as the team that devise your treatment plan and oversee your treatments. Unfortunately, there is little regulation surrounding who can operate a laser in some parts of the country including Melbourne. Make sure you choose your provider wisely

3. Be sure your provider has an in-depth understanding of how different skin types and colours affects the choice and settings of lasers used 💡 The structure of the skin and its reaction to laser treatment is different in different skin types. People with non-Caucasian skin types have more active melanocytes (pigment cells) and are therefore more susceptible to complications like scarring and post-treatment pigmentation.