David Van Dam, MD

In my office we have used elure (the brand name uses a lower case 'e') since late December 2010 and have given it to over 30 patients. The follow-up is short and the "sample" is relatively small, but  not one has reported improvement using this product. We are disappointed but prescription products containing hydroquinone are still available and remain the gold standard for treating unwanted skin pigment. There are several of these creams and they are not equally effective. Check with your dermatologist for a recommendation best suited for your skin problwm and your skin type.

The VBeam laser emits only one wavelength of light that only interacts with red targets. It only effects blood vessels (because they are red) near the surface of the skin. Juvederm is colorless and does not absorb the VBeam light. In addition, Juvederm is injected deeply at a level the VBeam laser cannot reach.

The 1540 laser and the IPL (intense pulsed light) are two completely different instruments. The benefit of IPL on acne scars is limited to reducing their redness but is worth trying if they are pink or red. The 1540 laser is an excellent treatment for undulating depressed acne scar but not for "pit" or "ice-pick" scars, or for "crater" scars. Several treatments are necessary for optimal results with the 1540 laser but there is a high degree of patient satisfaction after at least three sessions.

VBeam laser treatment  usually helps reduce redness in the skin, including in acne scars. The totanl number of treatments you require is difficult to predict without actually seeing your scars but you should expect visible improvement after the very first treatment. VBeam actually canalso help improve active acne. Fraxel is not intended to remove redness but to improve the texture of skin.

The word cyst means sac and cysts are normally named according to the kind of cells that comprise the sac. The most common type of cyst is an epidermal or epidermoid cyst which is often erroneously referred to as sebaceous cysts. In fact, we know that there are no sebaceous glands associated with these cysts so the terminology was changed over 35 years ago. Lipomas are cysts that contain fat cells and they rarely become inflamed. If you have a lump under your skin that becomes red and enlarges when it does so, it it probably an epidermal cyst. If it behaves in this manner, it is likely to continue doing so, and it may eventually rupture and create a painful, swollen, pus-filled, abscess-like reaction. A dermatologist can usually readily diagnose and treat most kinds of cysts in the office.