Anjali Butani, MD

Tretinoin generally comes in 0.025%, 0.05% and 0.1%. Retin-A comes in 0.04% and 0.1%. As these are prescribed medications, your dermatologist should decide which strength is best for you. In general, if you have dry, sensitive skin, start low (0.025% or 0.04%). You can always go stronger after your skin gets accustomed to the lower strength.

"This answer has been given without seeing the patient and cannot be held as true medical advice, only opinion. Seek an in-person evaluation with a trained medical professional for appropriate care and advice."

Dermal melasma is very difficult to treat, but I've used the 1927 nm laser (commonly known as Fraxel Dual or Clear & Brilliant) with great success. I always use the lasers with lightening medications (creams) or natural lightening products. This will enhance the results and prevent side effects. Make sure you go to a dermatologist who is experienced in treating melasma with lasers, especially if you have darker skin.

"This answer has been given without seeing the patient and cannot be held as true medical advice, only opinion. Seek an in-person evaluation with a trained medical professional for appropriate care and advice."

You can certainly use a retinol at night and glytone (glycolic acid) in the morning. Both exfoliate the skin, leading a brighter, more even, smoother complexion. Using both together will have added benefits. But both agents can cause mild irritation and peeling at first (even more if the products are used together). This should subside in time or by using a lower dose of the products.

"This answer has been given without seeing the patient and cannot be held as true medical advice, only opinion. Seek an in-person evaluation with a trained medical professional for appropriate care and advice."

We treat a lot of Indian, Hispanic and Persian clients. There are several safe laser for olive skin, especially the longer wavelength lasers like the NdYag 1064 nm. If you are lighter a 755 nm or 810 nm laser may work. Many companies make these lasers under different brand names. The biggest piece of advice --- look for a doctor who has a lot of olive skin patients and understands how to treat darker skin. Lasers are now very safe for our skin if you know how to treat dark skin and know how to adjust your laser.

No the hair that has been treated is gone. But you have thousands of hair follicles in different phases of growth, depending on the area of the body. Only a certain percentage of hair (the hair that is in the growth phase at the time) is treated at each visit. In time, the next batch of hair grows, which is why you need multiple treatments. But it generally is less hair and a thinner quality after each visit. Eventually, it should be gone or minimal.