Chroma Dermatology

14/02/2025

26/11/2024

Ever had an itchy rash that just won’t go away after being in the sun?

It may be a sun allergy.

Swipe across to learn more!

16/12/2021

😳 During summer we get asked a lot about risk in patients with

👩🏽‍⚕️ Our founder, Dr. Michelle Rodrigues, has published on this very topic in textbooks and medical journals and states that people with vitiligo don’t have a higher risk of skin cancer compared with the general population.

She states “There are some genetic traits that actually decrease skin cancer risk in . It’s complex and intriguing. It may even provide insights into future treatments.

☀️However, those with vitiligo are at higher risk of burning from ultraviolet light exposure in affected areas (in white spots)...so don’t forget to be

👉🏾 For people getting regular ( ) as part of their plan, Dr. Rodrigues recommends wearing a hat, sunscreen, and seeking shade when out and about to avoid burning.

🔗 Visit the link in our bio to see this article in full

12/12/2021

😀 Today, the Chroma Dermatology team took time out to celebrate and reflect on 2021.

🙏🏼 We are so grateful to have such a talented, dedicated team and are very excited about 2022.

🙌🏼 Thankyou all for your support

😎 The sun was shining and the food, drinks and backdrop for our lunch was perfect thanks to

08/12/2021

💧 Sweating is the body’s natural way of controlling body temperature and responding to stress. In response to these stimuli, the brain sends chemical signals to the sweat glands in the skin via nerves which makes them produce sweat. Through evaporative cooling, the sweat cools the skin.

🤔 What is hyperhidrosis? — Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) affects about 2% of the population and is the cause of anxiety and embarrassment. It can stain clothes and negatively impact business, social and even romantic relationships. It may affect the underarms (called axillary hyperhidrosis) or the palms and soles (called palmoplantar hyperhidrosis) and less often can even affect the scalp and other parts of the body.

👀 So what are the causes of hyperhidrosis? — There are two types of hyperhidrosis:

☝🏽 Primary hyperhidrosis – this causes sweating in localised regions (like the axilla, palms, soles). The exact cause is not known but it may be due to genetic factors (hereditary)

✌🏻 Secondary hyperhidrosis – this causes excessive sweating all over the body or over a large area of the body and may be due to heat or certain medical conditions. Conditions like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, menopause, pregnancy, infections and some cancers can cause generalised sweating.
It is important to chat to your doctor about your symptoms in order to work out if there is an underlying reason for your sweating.

🔗 Visit the link in our bio for more information about:

👉🏻 What treatments are available for hyperhidrosis?

👉🏼 Antiperspirants

👉🏽 Other topical agents

👉🏾 Injectable treatment

👉🏿 What is this injectable treatment?

👉🏻 How does the injectable treatment work?

👉🏼 How is the treatment performed?

👉🏽 What happens after the treatment?

👉🏾 How long does the effect of the injected treatment last?

👉🏿 Are there any side effects from the injectable treatment?

👉🏻 Oral (tablet) treatments

👉🏼 Surgery

👉🏽 What can you do to enjoy a sweat-free summer where you can ooze confidence in the clothes you love?

💬 If you or someone you know suffers from excessive sweating, contact us to find out how we can help.

01/12/2021

It’s a question we get asked over and over again and that is because dermatosis papulosa nigra is just so common in those with skin of colour. The good news is that there is a way to safely remove these in people with darker skin types.

So here is a little more about what those black spots on your face could be and how you can get them treated. Please note brown or black spots could also be freckles, moles (naevi), skin cancers or even uncommon conditions causing pigment to develop in the dermis (second layer of the skin). Here, we are taking a closer look at dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN).

What is DPN? — DPN is a cluster of small 1-5mm benign spots mainly seen on the face and neck. They don’t cause any symptoms and are not cancerous but are a cosmetic concern for many people.

Who gets DPN? — DPN is more common in those with skin of colour. Ever wondered what the spots were on Morgan Freeman’s face? Yes, its DPN. And now that you know about it, you will start to see more of it in people with African skin, Indian skin and Pacific Islander skin types.

How can DPN be treated? — DPN often co-exists with other pigment problems like melasma so it is important to properly assess each patient in order to determine the best treatment plan for that individual.

While scraping, laser and liquid nitrogen are sometimes used, this poses many risks in skin of colour including scarring and brown blotches.

We often use a radiofrequency device (safe in people of all ages and stages of life) to safely, quickly and effectively treat DPN. It feels like a little prick on the skin but doesn’t cause any ongoing discomfort. Treatment normally takes no more than 15mins. It is best to consider maintenance treatment every 1-3 years to keep on top of newly developing spots.

How does the skin look after the treatment? — No numbing cream or pain killers are needed for this procedure but we often use ice to help with any mild discomfort. While there is a very small risk of transient pigmentation in treated areas most people only small little mosquito bites for about 12-24hrs in treated areas followed by a small pinpoint scab. These small crusts fall off in about a week.

27/11/2021

‪ are medical . 👩🏽‍💼 🏥

After medical school, approximately at least another 6 years of training is undertaken. They are the doctors to trust for all your , and problems.‬ 🙋🏽‍♀️

‪To learn more about dermatologists and what they do, see and treat, check out this video‬

20/11/2021

IRON OXIDE

What is it? 🤷🏽‍♀️
are chemical compound composed of iron and oxygen. It occurs in nature as the mineral magnetite.

The Good 🙂
Iron oxide can be added to physical sunscreens to increase the absorption and protection against visible light and UVA radiation. This visible light protection is critical for protecting against pigmentary issues like and skin darkening, especially in those with

The Bad🙃
Iron oxide is tinted so after application the skin can look darker. Finding a tone that suits you is a good idea before purchasing an iron oxide-containing
The next step
Consider a sunscreen that contains iron oxide (we do have a few favourites so feel free to reach out to us to get our thoughts on this)

Your voice 📣
We would love to hear which iron oxide containing sunscreens are in your 'favourite' box

17/11/2021

👉🏼👈🏼 To squeeze or not to squeeze? We’ll admit that we are no skin saints. We have stood in front of the mirror on a number of occasions as teenagers with a big pimple staring right back at us and yes, despite being advised not to, we have squeezed, picked and popped.

But is this really a crime against the skin?

The answer is yes. Squeezing and trying to pop pimples is definitely not the best solution and can actually make your skin worse.

🤔 How do pimples form?
- Acne is one of the most common inflammatory skin conditions in adolescents. More than 80% of teenagers battle with pimples. It can also occur later in life for a number of reasons, including an imbalance of hormones called androgens.
- Oil glands (sebaceous glands), located in the skin at the base of the hair follicle, excrete oil (sebum) to lubricate the surface of the skin and hair. All parts of the body contain sebaceous glands, except the palms and soles of the feet.

😬 Why shouldn’t I squeeze?
- A pimple is like a little bag under the skin that contains oil, bacteria and inflammation. Squeezing it can result in these contents being pushed into surrounding skin, making the problem worse. It can also lead to infection and temporary darkening of the skin in that area.
- The inflammation can also become so bad that scarring is left behind when the pimple finally settles down. And scarring (unlike the pimple) can be permanent.
- If you resist the urge to squeeze, pimples will usually resolve over a week or so without scarring. The “white” contents will also settle down or spontaneously pop when ready.
- If large pimples require urgent treatment, a dermatologist can get rid of the contents of a pimple safely. They may also give it an injection that decreases inflammation and the pimple in a day or so.

🤭 How can I prevent pimples?
1. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet low in sugar
2. Avoid excessive scrubbing, cleansing and exfoliating
3. Choose oil-free cleansers, moisturisers and sunscreen
4. Choose silicone-based hair products rather than greasy ones

👐🏻And if you do get pimples, try to resist the urge to squeeze!

15/11/2021

Acne and PIE

85% of teenagers get . Some will get severe acne (called nodulocystic acne). 😑

Severe acne often results in complications like and (PIE). See our prior posts to get more information on PIE.

To get the best results, it is important to combine treatments that are tailored to your skin type, the type and location of your acne and likely complications. In this case, prescribed , vitamin-A derived tablets and laser were used to clear the acne, improve the scarring and reduce the post inflammatory erythema. Confidence is back and were smashed!😁

The information contained in this blog post is intended as a guide only and should not substitute seeking medical attention. Please see your healthcare provider for more information on suitability of products, treatments or procedures.👩🏽‍💻

11/11/2021

🤔 DidYouKnow Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world?
😳About 16,000 people will be diagnosed with this year.
⏰ One melanoma is diagnosed every 30 minutes.
👩🏽‍💼We sat down to ask the expert, , about , causes, prevention and newer treatments and more are in our latest blog (Link in bio)

03/11/2021

🧴Sunscreen is a vital component of but many people with darker skin tones (skin of colour) think their natural skin colour is enough to protect them from the harsh effects of ultra-violet light. Dr. Michelle Rodrigues too was under this assumption in her younger years. But this could not be further from the truth. Those with darker skin tones still need . And here are the reasons why:

👉🏽 1. People with skin of colour do burn — is the pigment that gives skin its colour and people with skin of colour do have ‘in built sunscreen.’ Those with skin types for example, have an intrinsic sun-protection factor ( ) while those with white skin have a lower SPF.

👉🏾 2. People with skin of colour are prone to pigmentation — UV-B, UV-A and visible light exposure contribute to brown spots and blemishes ( ) in the skin of colour population. Pigmentation is one of the most common reasons for those with skin of colour to see a dermatologist (research has shown that pigmentation instantly makes a person look older and can cause depression and anxiety)

👉🏿 3. Sunscreen is one of the best methods for all skin types — Ultra-violet light, visible light and infra-red light contribute to skin aging. , , , and visible blood vessels are all caused at least in part, by UV exposure. UV also causes accelerated breakdown in the skin and weakens the cell’s immune responses. So, anyone who wants to be ‘forever young’ should make sunscreen part of their daily routine.

👉🏽 4. People with skin of colour to get — US studies have shown that while skin cancer is less common in those with skin of colour, it is often more advanced and more aggressive by the time it is diagnosed. This means it is more difficult to treat and results in more deaths. In addition, skin cancers in darker skin types are seen in unusual places. Melanomas, for example, are more often seen on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet and nails.