Katherine L. Caretti, MD

It is hard to tell from the photo, but you may have developed an epidermal cyst or hypertrophic scar which will not go away without some type of intervention. For small lesions like yours, we often try injection with a steroid to shrink it down. Otherwise, you may need a small excision to remove the cyst completely. I recommend consultation with a board-certified dermatologist to determine the best option for you.

From the photo and your description it sounds like you would be an excellent candidate for Kybella. Kybella is a relatively new, FDA-approved, non-invasive method to treat localized fat in the submental area. It is an injectable medication of deoxycholic acid which permanently dissolves fat often requiring 2-4 treatments sessions to achieve the desired result. The CoolMini is another non-invasive option which destroys fat through cryolipolysis (freezing the fat). It is important to be seen in consultation with either a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to determine the best option for you.

Tea tree oil can have some antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects for various dermatologic conditions. Since age spots are generally the result of cumulative sun exposure, I have not seen tea tree oil have any effect for this condition. "Age spot" is an umbrella term for a variety of lesions that occur on the skin with time. Some of these spots are sun-induced and known as lentigines (similar to freckles and commonly referred as sun spots) while others such as seborrheic keratoses are not related to sun exposure and require destructive techniques to remove. The most important component of treatment for sun spots is initiating a daily sunscreen into your regimen to protect from further darkening of the sun spots. A retinoid containing product and bleaching creams such as hydroquinone or skin medica's Lytera have also been very effective in lightening these spots on the skin. Other options include chemical peels or resurfacing lasers. I suggest consultation with a board certified dermatologist so that they can tailor the treatment for your specific skin type.

Hello and thank you for your question. It is difficult to tell from the photo you posted, but your description of asymmetry and multiple colors within the mole are 2 atypical features that warrant examination by a dermatologist. Typically, we educate our patients on the ABCDEs of melanoma which stands for Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter 6mm or greater and Evolution (any previous change in color, size, shape, etc.) I suggest making an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist so that this mole can be more closely inspected and determined if biopsy is necessary.

The gold standard laser treatment for rosacea is the pulsed dye laser (PDL), also known as the V-beam. This laser selectively targets the blood vessels in the skin that lead to the persistent redness of rosacea. Other options include the KTP laser and IPL. Be sure to consult with an experienced board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon that is knowledgable in laser medicine to achieve the best results. Good luck! Dr. Caretti