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SIUSLAW NEWS |
SATURDAY, JULY 1 2017
TO YOUR
GOOD HEALTH
Treatment Not
Fading Dark
Patches on Face
DEAR DR. ROACH: A few years
ago, despite regular use of sunscreen,
I noticed a couple of small, dark
patches on my face. I began using
a product that contained 2 percent
hydroquinone, which the package
says is a “targeted skin lightener.”
The problem is, those dark patches
haven’t changed at all, except that
they are a lot bigger. My questions
are: Is this product really effective?
Would my skin discoloration be even
worse if I hadn’t used it? Does the
product perhaps make the problem
worse? Finally, what is your recom-
mendation for treating skin discolor-
ations? -- N.C.
ANSWER: Hydroquinone inhib-
its an enzyme necessary for making
melanin, so if the darkening of the
skin on your face is due to melanin
(and most are), then hydroquinone
ought to work. If it’s not, it’s possible
SALOME’S STARS
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You
clever Ewes and Rams love nothing
more than to rise to a challenge. So,
by all means, if you feel sure about
your facts, step right up and defend
your side of the issue.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)
You’ve done some great work recent-
ly. Now it’s time to reward yourself
with something wonderful, perhaps a
day at a spa or a night out with some-
one very special.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You
love to talk, but don’t forget to make
time to do a little more listening,
otherwise you could miss out on an
important message someone might
be trying to send you.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your
aspect indicates some uncertainty
that of the more than 50 conditions
that can cause dark coloration of the
skin listed in my textbook, you have
one not due to melanin production.
It’s also possible that the 2 percent
strength of hydroquinone isn’t strong
enough for you. Concentrations
over 2 percent (up to 4 percent) are
available only by prescription. Also,
sunlight can reverse the effect of hy-
droquinone, so you need to stay out
of the sun. I’d recommend both sun-
protective clothing (e.g., a hat) AND
a sunscreen of level 35 or higher. Not
only will sunlight reverse the lighten-
ing effect, but your skin is more sen-
sitive to the harmful and potentially
cancer-causing effects of the sun af-
ter using hydroquinone.
Hydroquinone can be very irritat-
ing to some people. A rare complica-
tion is ochronosis, a blue-black dis-
coloration of the skin. The safety of
hydroquinone is argued: It has been
banned in Europe, although ochro-
nosis happens primarily in Africa,
where large portions of the body of-
ten are treated and the purity of the
product is, at best, questionable.
It’s unlikely that hydroquinone has
made the problem worse, but I can’t
answer if things would be worse
if you hadn’t used it. As far as my
recommendation goes, think twice
before lightening the skin at all, and
consider other options, including
covering makeup or laser surgery.
If you decide to continue hydroqui-
none, I would fi rst visit a derma-
tologist to diagnose the type of dark
coloration, give you your personal
options and then use prescription-
grade hydroquinone, if appropriate.
DEAR DR. ROACH: I had tinni-
tus. I read a lot and found a research
study at the Mayo Clinic that tests the
effectiveness of magnesium 500 mg
daily for moderate to severe tinnitus.
I took a 500-mg tablet of magne-
sium (over the counter) and got re-
lief fairly rapidly from the tinnitus. I
stayed on the magnesium for about a
year. Occasionally, it returned, and
I went back on that supplement. --
Anon.
ANSWER: The results of the
study you found are not yet available,
but I think there has been enough
published on the possible effective-
ness and safety of magnesium sup-
plementation that it is reasonable to
give it a try. Magnesium defi ciency
is common, especially in people tak-
ing diuretics (“water pills”) for high
blood pressure. The major side effect
of magnesium supplementation is
diarrhea, which is unlikely at a low
dose.
about one of your goals. Use this
period of shift ing attitudes to reassess
what you really want and what you’re
ready to do to get it.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Your
social life is picking up, and you’ll
soon be mingling with old friends
and making new ones. But ‘twixt the
fun times, stay on top of changing
workplace conditions.
VIRGO (August 23 September 22)
A trusted friend off ers understanding
as you vent some long-pent-up feel-
ings. Now, move on from there and
start making the changes you’ve put
off all this time.
LIBRA (September 23 to October
22) You might well feel uneasy as
you face a diffi cult situation involving
someone close to you. But you know
you’re doing the right thing, so stick
with your decision.
SCORPIO (October 23 to
November 21) You’re a good friend
to others. Now is the time to allow
them to be good friends to you. Rely
on their trusted advice to help you get
through an uncertain period.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Family and friends are
always important, but especially so at
this time. Despite your hectic work-
place schedule, make a real eff ort to
include them in your life.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to
January 19) Th at project you’ve been
working on is almost ready for pre-
sentation. But you still need some
information from a colleague before
you can consider it done.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to
February 18) Don’t let those negative
attitudes that have sprung up around
you drain your energies. Shrug them
off , and move ahead with the confi -
dence that you can get the job done.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
Aspects favor some dedicated fun
time for the hardworking Piscean. A
nice, refreshing plunge into the social
swim can recharge your physical and
emotional batteries.
Siuslaw N ews
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