Hi Picky Fam! Sharing you here a post I did on dark underarms. You may want to bookmark this for your later reference. Thank you & stay safe always ❤️

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKq4ejFnQWz/?igshid=11xrjcbmanpis

The underarm skin (axillary skin) has distinct properties compared with the skin at other body sites
🔹⬇️ skin barrier integrity
🔹⬆️ levels of cholesterol, ceramide 3 & lactic
acid
🔹⬇️ concentration of natural moisturizing factor

These properties make underarm skin more susceptible to irritation 
Irritation ➡️ Inflammation ➡️ Weakened skin barrier

Causes of dark armpits can be due to several factors.

Treatment options should be directed to the underlying cause/s of dark under arms. 

Skincare tips for the underarms:
🔹Use mild soap for cleansing the underarms.
🔹Avoid very tight clothing that can rub against the underarms.
🔹Avoid using fabric softeners on clothes that can cause irritation.
🔹Make sure that your antiperspirants are free from irritating ingredients.
🔹Avoid shaving, plucking, or waxing as much as possible & opt for laser hair removal or just trim the underarm hairs carefully.
🔹Never apply lemon, citrus, or vinegar to lighten the underarms. These can lead to more irritation & thus ⬆️ darkening.
🔹ALWAYS consult a board-certified derm for evaluation of underlying cause(s) of dark underarms & for individualized management.

What to do with Dark Underarms

Hi Picky fam! Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. Just wanted to share here what is patch testing and repeat open application testing. You may also want to bookmark this for future reference. Thanks for reading! 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CPIYBHnMdH7/?utm_medium=copy_link

What is patch testing?⏪
Patch testing is used to identify if a person's rash is due to a contact allergen found in personal care products or other materials.

How is patch testing done?⏪

Repeat Open Application Test (ROAT) can be done at home by patients who cannot go to the clinic for patch testing ⏪

How is ROAT done? ⏪
☑️ If the treated skin continues to look & feel normal by the end of the week of testing, the person is unlikely to have a significant allergy to the substance tested.

☑️ If the individual develops a patch of red skin, dry skin, itching or rash at the site of application, there may be an allergy to the substance or to one of its ingredients.

☑️ A positive reaction may indicate formal patch tests should be done to identify a specific contact allergen.

Adverse reactions ⏪
▪️ May persist for several weeks
▪️ Other adverse events: hyperpigmentation, false negative & false positive results
▪️ These tests may provoke other areas of rashes to recur or to appear for the first time.
▪️ Rarely, sensitization to a new allergen may occur.
▪️ Re-testing may also be required to confirm or clarify a reaction.

Consult a board-certified derm before doing these tests. 👩‍⚕️

References:
Fitzpatrick's Dermatology 9th Ed.
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/open-application-test/
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/patch-tests/

Patch testing 101

Hi Picky Fam! Just wanted to share some practical skincare tips that I hope will help you in your skincare journey. You may want to bookmark this for future reference as well. 

1⃣ Aim for healthy skin, not perfect skin

2⃣ Skincare is individualized

3⃣ Consistency is key in every skincare routine

4⃣ Patience is a must in your skincare journey

5⃣ Less is more in skincare

6⃣ Don't fall for the hype

7⃣ Check product labels for expiration dates

8⃣ Your skincare regimen need not break the bank

You can also read the link below for the full details. 😊 Thank you & have a great day ahead! ❤️

https://www.instagram.com/drmegsison/guide/practical-skincare-tips/17905847656571068/?igshid=1vmhb59knscz9

Practical skincare tips from a dermatologist

Hi everyone! So many have been asking on what to do with dark undereye circles. Sharing here this instagram guide that I compiled with my derm colleague/ fellow Picky expert on the causes and treatment options for dark undereye circles. It's also best to consult with you local dermatologist for individualized treatment options. Hope this helps! You may also want to bookmark this. Happy Friday ☺️

https://www.instagram.com/drmegsison/guide/dark-undereye-circles/17853130859524685/?igshid=wdth7kqyfbxq

Dark Undereye Circles

Hi Picky fam! Hope everyone is having a nice weekend 😊 It's already summer here in the Philippines so oily skin can be quite a hassle 😅 Sharing you tips for those with oily skin as well as my fave gel cleansers.

Other causes of oily skin can be the ff:
🔹Stress
🔹Genetics
🔹Fluctuating hormones

The 🔑 is to strike a balance between having too much oil & preserving our skin's moisture barrier.

Here are some tips to control oily skin:
1⃣ Wash your face in the morning & evening & after exercise. Resist the urge to scrub because it can lead to skin irritation. Gel or mild foaming cleansers are gentle yet effective for oily skin.

2⃣ Use skincare products that are labelled "oil-free" & "noncomedogenic".

3⃣ Apply moisturizer daily to keep your skin hydrated. Gel based or lightweight moisturizers are not greasy & can be used for oily skin.

4⃣ Make sure to wear sunscreen with SPF of at least 30. It helps prevent sun damage that could lead to wrinkles, age spots and even skin cancer. To prevent acne breakouts, look for sunscreens that contain zinc oxide & titanium dioxide. Don't use sunscreens that contain fragrance or oils & make sure to reapply every 2 hours. ⌚

5⃣ Don't sleep in your makeup. Always remove all makeup before going to sleep.😴

6⃣ Don't touch your face throughout the day. Although it’s tempting, doing so can spread dirt, oil & bacteria from your hands to your face. 🙅 Use blotting papers instead. Gently press the paper against your face & leave it on for a few seconds to absorb the oil. 

7⃣ Chemical exfoliants & retinoids can also be used as part your skincare routine. Make sure to ask guidance from a board-certified dermatologist on how to use them.👩‍⚕️

You may want to bookmark this post for later! You can also check my previous discussions on sunscreens and moisturizers for oily skin. ☺️

Reference:
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/dry/oily-skin

Here are my fave gel cleansers for oily skin 😊 Comment down below your fave cleansers for oily skin!

Skincare tips for oily skin

Yesstyle discount code MEGQS101

No bad experience but make sure to always patch test first

Watery consistency
No fragrance detected
Used this 2x a week on the face and neck after cleansing in the evening
No stinging, redness, burning or itching
Able to reduce the oiliness on my face

For those with sensitive skin it&amp;#39;s important to apply a small amount first on your jawline and wait for 24 to 72 hours for any untoward reaction. So far I haven&amp;#39;t experienced any with this toner.

Cosrx AHA BHA Vit C Daily Toner
Notable ingredients:
Kiwi fruit extract
Hylocereus undatus fruit extract
Apple fruit water
Niacinamide
Sodium lactate
Glycolic acid
Adenosine
Betaine salicylate
Ascorbyl glucoside

Texture is almost like water.

My personal experience: I have used exfoliating toners from Cosrx before and this one is very gentle even if has many actives. I used this 2x a week at night followed by a gel moisturizer. So far I haven&amp;#39;t experienced any irritation or dryness. This is suitable for normal and oily skin types.

No bad experience but make to patch test first
Those with dry skin might need additional moisturizer aside from this

Used this in my AM routine after cleansing and before applying a moisturizing sunscreen
Lightweight, hydrating &amp; doesn&#39;t make my skin sticky
Layers well underneath my moisturizing sunscreen

No bad experience but make sure to patch test first because this contains plant and fruit extracts

Product is thin in consistency with lotion/fluid texture
Spreads and gets absorbed easily upon application
No white cast
Does not sting my eyes
Dewy finish
Great for normal to dry skin

Love this sunscreen! I got curious because of the rave reviews and even though it&#39;s a physical sunscreen it did not leave any white cast after application. It was also easy to blend and its goes well under my makeup. Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants a matte finish sunscreen 😊