Dr Stephen Chu

Hi, Keloid scars are a result of overgrowth of granulation tissue that has grown beyond its boundaries of the original wound. In comparison to a hypertrophic scar which are raised but has NOT grown beyond the boundaries of the original wound. Treatment for both varies depending on severity and duration. Combination of steroids and laser may help and recently studies have shown the involvement of using botox can also aid in the symptoms. I would avoid things like radiotherapy and topical chemotherapy agents.

Hypopigmentation after a burn is usually due to the destruction of the melanocytes. Treatment for this condition is not easy as there is a lack of melanocytes to restore the pigmentation. As my colleague has pointed out uses of various devices may improve the pigmentation with a combination of a particular type of filler injection called Rejuran - which contains Salmon DNA and possibly can help aid in repair. Alternative a more invasive and cheaper way would be to have the scar excised under local anesthetic.

Varicose veins are cause by incompetent valves inside the veins itself resulting in twisting and enlargement. Usually associated with legs they can occur anywhere on the body. The valves in the vein aid blood return to your heart along with the surrounding muscles. So if the valve is faulty there is a "backlog" of blood causing the vein to enlarge more. This leads to swelling, eczema due to the varicose veins, skin thickening around the area and possibly lead to ulceration. There are many treatments one can take.

From what you are describing and from the photo it seems that you have two issues. 1) eye bag 2) superficial veins. Scarless Eyebag surgery is one of the options to remove your eye bags and can be very effective if done by a proper plastic surgeon. The downside, of course, is the cost and downtime post-operatively. Another thing to keep in mind is that eye bag surgery may not treat those tiny superficial veins we see in the photo. And lastly, it is very important that the surgeon during the eye bag surgery remove similar and correct amount of fat on both eyebags.

This is a very common question and at times have confused many patients thinking they are the same. However they are very different! Liposuction in a nutshell is a procedure where the fat is "sucked out " of the area you are treating by mechanical removal of the fat tissue ie. moving the cannula in and out and by the suction that is attached to the cannula (some doctors do injections to the area prior to help with the liposuction procedure). There are limits on how much liposuction can be done in any one setting.

Hi, Lumps n Bumps are common occurrences on any part of the body. They are usually benign however they sometimes can be unsightly or cause irritation. There are some syndromes that are associated with multiple cysts/lipoma (collection of fat) if there are many all over your body. They don't naturally disappear on their own and depending yourself they can be left alone if you don't mind them. Just don't scratch or "pick" at them as that may result in infection and/or ulceration. Excision under local anesthetic is a quick and cheap way of getting rid of them.

Hi, Blue nevus moles belong to a family called melanocytic nevus. They are blue in color cause the pigment containing cells , melanocytes are deep in the dermis, the epidermis is usually normal. Try to refrain from scratching the area as can lead to infection and ulceration. Although recently lasers can treat all forms of moles including blue nevus, surgical excision with marking sutures to ensure margin clearance would be ideal to ensure complete removal and to remove any suspicion of it being anything else.

Hi, My colleagues have given all very good advice. However something for you to also consider is minor surgery. The scar is in the middle of your forehead in a circular fashion. With Minor surgery under local anesthetic would result in a scar that would be a small horizontal line that would be sitting along with your forehead lines thus making it barely visible over time. This is a cheaper and faster alternative however there will be downtime and is invasive.

Lumps and Bumps on the body are common occurrences. Common ones are cysts and lipomas (fat tissue). Since you have had the lump for almost 1 year now has it grown in size or caused any symptoms? General rule of thumb if its hard and non-mobile it maybe tethered or have a bone component to it. If its more mobile and "squishy" more likely to be a cyst. However I would recommend that you see a doctor for this for a more accurate examination. Usually these cysts can be removed under local anesthetic and the sample/lump sent to the lab for a proper diagnosis. Hope this clarifies.

Liposuction as you be aware is a procedure where the fat is "sucked out " of the area you are treating by mechanical removal of the fat tissue ie. moving the cannula in and out and by the suction that is attached to the cannula (some doctors do injections to the area prior to help with the liposuction procedure). Whether fat reduction/removal treatments have long lasting result is dependent also on the patient. For example if you go for a liposuction procedure and "suck out" X amount of fat, the fat will return if your lifestyle habits don't change or get worse ie.

Poor wound healing is usually due to many causes. You are right to say that infection is one of the potential causes. There are many types of causes of infection ranging from bacterial, viral, fungal, and even parasitic causes. However more common would be due to repetitive trauma to the area , in this case to your foot. Proper foot wear, avoiding heels in the meantime, in-soles, proper hygiene to the area may all help. Other causes include poor circulation, diabetes, underlying bony growth.