Skinique

06/12/2025

🌟 Elevate your dermatology expertise.
In the third instalment of the Skinique Trilogy Trailers, we are excited to introduce our RNZCGP-endorsed, CME-accredited online dermatology course designed for general practitioners.

This course equips GPs with practical skills to enhance acne management, improve patient outcomes, and much more.

“Be the GP who restores confidence, one face at a time, and change more than just skin”

👉 Learn more via the RNZCGP website:

https://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/events/ongoing-events/gp-dermatology-course/

education

06/12/2025

🌟 Elevate your dermatology expertise.
In the third instalment of the Skinique Trilogy Trailers, we are excited to introduce our RNZCGP-endorsed, CME-accredited online dermatology course designed for general practitioners.

This course equips GPs with practical skills to enhance acne management, improve patient outcomes, and much more.

“Be the GP who restores confidence, one face at a time, and change more than just skin”

👉 Learn more via the RNZCGP website:

https://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/events/ongoing-events/gp-dermatology-course/

education

19/10/2025

Honoured to receive an invitation to speak at the Goodfellow Symposium in March 2026, one of the largest annual educational events for primary care providers in New Zealand.

I will be revealing the clinical pearls and pitfalls of managing facial rashes. In keeping with the symposium theme of obtaining ‘skills for next Monday’, the talk will be packed with practical take-home messages that attendees can implement immediately in their practice.

I look forward to seeing you at the Symposium!

This presentation explores key diagnostic and management pearls for common head and neck rashes. It also provides guidance on recognising complex cases involving combined dermatoses, enabling tailored treatment approaches while helping clinicians avoid common pitfalls.

10/09/2025

🌟 Elevate your dermatology expertise.
We’re pleased to share the first instalment of the Skinique Trilogy Trailers, introducing our RNZCGP-endorsed, CME-accredited online dermatology course for general practitioners.

This course super-charges GPs with practical skills to deliver high-quality dermatological care and improve patient outcomes.

👉 Learn more via the RNZCGP website:
https://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/events/ongoing-events/gp-dermatology-course/

26/06/2022

[Doctor, you may have saved my marriage!]

I recently met a lovely gentleman, who was deeply troubled by years of stubborn psoriasis, an unsightly scaly rash which spread across his body. He has tried various treatments with other practitioners to no avail. After receiving recommendations from a friend, he decided to see me to give medical science one more chance.

We had a long chat about his disease, and its potential complications. More importantly, we have discussed the rationale of his treatment regime, and formulated a precise management plan tailored to his needs. Enlightened, he thanked me for my time, and returned home to implement his treatment. A follow-up appointment in 6 weeks was in place to review his progress. So far, it was just another day at the office for me.

A few days ago, his wife came up to me, with a glimmer of tears in her eyes, and said : “ Thank you for helping my husband with his skin, he is looking great now after only a few weeks! Doctor, I think you may have saved my marriage!”

It was always heartening to receive gratitude from patients and their families, who appreciated your time and expertise, however I still felt taken aback and humbled, when I heard that my treatment was marriage-saving. One can never underestimate the negative impact imposed by chronic skin diseases, on patients' psychological and social well-being.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease, which generally stays with the person for life. Uncontrolled, it can affect all body parts, it is unsightly, uncomfortable, and patients often shy from showing affected skin to the public, which limit their social activities. However, it is not just a cosmetic disease, a proportion will develop inflammatory arthritis, leading to functional impairment. Poorly controlled and widespread psoriasis can increase systemic inflammation, and is considered a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, alongside other risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes. When severe (erythroderma), psoriasis may be life threatening.

The good news is that there are a range of treatments available, and with effective collaboration in treatment efforts between the doctor and the patient, the enjoyment of having normal skin can once again be achieved. Such collaboration is the art of practising medicine, which I am still striving to refine every single day.

［醫生，你救了我的婚姻］

前不久，一位年紀稍長但和藹可親的男士初次找我會診。他常年為頗嚴重的全身性牛皮癬所困擾，看過多位醫生也試過不少偏方，但都不見起色。經由友人介紹，他以滿是期待又怕受傷害的心情走進了我的診所。

我秉持一貫的專業聆聽了他的病史和感受，仔細檢查過他的皮膚，詳盡的向他解說牛皮癬的特點，可能的併發症，和各種的治療方案。我應他的需求打造了一套適合他的療程。「謝謝你醫生，這次看診令我受益良多，真希望之前能早點認識你，我期待這療程所能帶給我的幫助。」我給了他一些鼓勵的話語，且為了確保他康復順利，也替他預約了六週後的復診。到此為止和我平時工作日區別不大，當下也沒想太多，孰不知之後的發展卻出我所料。

復診時間未到，上週他的太太卻已跑來找我，眼泛淚光的向我道謝。「我先生的皮膚和之前相比，真是好了太多，我好久沒看到他如此容光煥發了。醫生，我想你拯救了我們的婚姻。」有幸收到患者或其家屬的感激之情，總是令人欣慰，不過這次有點嚇到。腦海第一反射的念頭是：「會不會太誇張了點？」不過若進一步思考，這恰恰反應了慢性皮膚疾病對患者人生所造成的負面影響。

以牛皮癬來說，它會伴多數患者ㄧ輩子，所以懂得如何長期控制此疾病是非常重要的。控制不當可能影響全身皮膚，不止難受，患者們也可能覺得有礙觀瞻而大幅減少和外界的互動，嚴重拘束其社交圈。ㄧ部分患者可能有關節炎併發症，影響生活起居。嚴重的全身性牛皮癬也可能引起系統性炎症，和高血壓、高血脂及高血糖，被現代醫學視為心臟病和中風的風險因子。甚至若併發成紅皮症（erythroderma)，則有生命危險，不容小覷。

好消息是目前醫界有不少針對牛皮癬的治療方式，使大部分患者都有希望能達到良好的治療效果。不過醫心也是醫病的重要ㄧ環，經由主治醫師和患者的良好互動，所建立起來的信任及合作關係，得以讓處方得以加倍的發揮功效。醫師的一舉一動，一言一語，對患者皆影響巨大。 即使無法每次都做到完美，因為我們皆是凡人，我仍秉持初衷，從未怠慢，且在無數的會診之中洗湅著自己的醫療之道。

12/06/2022

[No tan is a safe tan]

It is now winter in New Zealand, we have just experienced 2 weeks of rain, and with shorter days, any sunshine felt precious this month.

People who seek to maintain a glowing tan, or felt they needed the vitamin D, may be tempted by the tanning beds. “Surely a little tan can’t hurt, right?”

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Most dermatologists would agree that there is no such thing as a healthy tan. Apart from the risks of skin cancers, there are many skin conditions, such as rosacea, which are precipitated or perpetuated by chronic UV exposure. New Zealand currently has the highest rate of melanomas in the world, closely followed by Australia. Both countries are exposed to high levels of solar radiation, with the passionate pursuit of outdoor recreation being almost a national sport. Melanoma is one of the commonest cancers to affect young adults, and it can be deadly.

Some may ask : “ Surely the artificial UV from tanning beds can’t be as bad as the UV radiation from the sun ?” This unfortunately, is also wrong. In studying the damages to the eyes and eyelids, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reported that tanning beds produce 100 times more UV levels, than what you would get from the sun!

Because of the health risks associated with tanning bed use, Australia states have introduced an outright ban on the use of commercial tanning beds. New Zealand is slower to follow, but has also introduced a ban on offering tanning beds to under 18 year olds.

So next time if you are looking for that glowing tan, or a boost in Vitamin D, why not reach for a spray tan, or a bottle of Vitamin D supplement? Your body will thank you for this.

才剛入冬，我們紐國已下了連續近兩週的雨，本想換換心情，看了下週的氣象預報，結果沒一天有太陽公公的笑臉。這雨季下的我人也快發霉了，想快快放晴，我需要點安多芬啊⋯⋯

相信大家的心情也一樣吧？ 一些朋友可能會考慮以光顧曬燈中心或日曬沙龍的方式，來補充一下維生素D，或秀一下久違的古銅色肌膚？ 畢竟小麥肌風潮近年從歐美流入到不少亞洲國家，一些華人明星和名媛也推崇這種時尚。某些愛情小說也常有女主被男主陽光的笑容，和「健康」的小麥色肌膚煞到的八股情節，引人遐思。

不過啊，為了健康，建議您還是打消這念頭吧。

從醫學角度來說，刻意曬成古銅色可不是皮膚健康的表現喔。當皮膚曝露在紫外線下至一定程度後，一堆問題可能就跟著來，包括各種皮膚癌，和多種慢性病，如玫瑰痤瘡和酒槽鼻等，更不用說其他像加速皮膚老化的問題了。

紐國和澳洲屬兄弟之邦，都是陽光充足，且紫外線時常超標的地方。兩國民情也相仿，都是喜歡長時間戶外休閒的民族。不幸的是，這兩兄弟也是互拚全世界黑色素癌診斷率第一二高的地方。不知是否因民情或其他時尚改變的因素，近年來一些亞洲國家的皮膚癌概率也有逐年增高的現象，令人擔憂。

網路上也充斥了不少迷思，說甚麼人工曬燈比起太陽曝曬來的安全，但不好意思，這觀念也是錯的喔～ 近年美國眼科協會的報告指出，曬燈的紫外線量是陽光的一百倍，真的嚇死人欸！

就因為這潛在的危險性，澳洲政府已全面禁止曬燈中心等的商業行為，紐國這方面動作較慢，不過近年也開始禁止十八歲以下使用曬燈服務，違規業者可處刑罰。 您國家對此的法規是怎麼樣的呢？

所以啊，下次您如果想來點小麥色肌膚，或補充點維生素D的時候，與其來份日光浴，不妨考慮一些速成仿曬美膚品，或吃點維生素保健品吧。 身體要顧好才會幸福喔～ 那我們下次見！

_______________________________________________________________

To find out more about us, please visit our official website
https://skinique.nz/

Through reliable skincare education, and really knowing your own unique skin type, you can optimise skincare results through avoidance of common pitfalls or myths in daily beauty routines. To learn all about building yourself an effective, bespoke skincare & rejuvenation regime, check out the [Skincare Masterclass]!
https://skincaremasterclass.voomly.com/

If you are troubled by acne, check out the [Acne Masterclass] to revolutionise your approach in effective acne self-care!
https://acnemasterclass.voomly.com/

28/05/2022

Lately I have spent some time decluttering at home, and recovered old photographs hidden deep at the back of the storage room. One of the photographs captured a sour period of my youth, at a time when I, like many other teenagers, suffered from nodulocystic acne.

It was freshman year at Medical school, when I first moved out of home, and settled alone in a different country. Perhaps it was the mental stress of coping with the endless exams, or the body had trouble adjusting to a different environment, for someone who did not suffer acne issues throughout high-school, I sure ripped some explosive pimples in my university years, it was relentless.

With moderate to severe acne, it was not just a minor inconvenience, it ate away my confidence and self-perception, in more ways than one. Whilst I remained comfortable amongst friends, meeting new people, especially attractive members of the opposite s*x, was a challenge. My tethered self-esteem restricted my personality, being self-conscious of my own perceived shortcomings made me fear, albeit without good reasons, that others may pit against me for the way I looked. At an age when one was meant to be the most socially active, my acne was my subjugation.

I was grateful to have seen a dermatologist, who treated my acne before the development of significant scarring. Towards the end of my medical school years, I was acne-free. I felt that It might have been harder to pass the various job interviews to come, where the competition for positions were fierce, if my confidence remained subjugated.

Today, as a dermatologist, I have seen thousands of young people, who walked through the same difficult path of living with acne. As a formal sufferer, I understood their frustration and pain in their initial consultations, which made it even more rewarding to see the complete transformation in their confidence and aura, when they regained their healthy skin. Acne is a very treatable disease, the only regret I had in my university years was not seeing a Dermatologist earlier, before some of the scars developed.

________________________________________________________


最新家裡大掃除，不經意的在儲櫃深處看到一疊舊照片，忍不住想念舊一下就翻了翻，沒想到找到一張不堪回首的記憶。

照片上是剛進醫學院的自己，滿臉嚴重的暗瘡。不知是醫科課業壓力太大，還是剛從紐國搬到澳洲求學時水土不服，本來中學時完全不需為青春痘煩腦的我，在進大學後痘痘毫不留情的爆發出來了。

青春痘嚴重的時候，影響的不僅於外觀，還有對一個人的自信，和他如何與外界互動產生極大的壓力。在這個社交活動力趨於人生顛峰的年齡層，嚴重青春痘及其疤痕所造成的心理陰影，可能連帶會對其事業及求偶產生負面的影響。

我當時有幸接受皮膚專科醫師的治療，讓我短期內恢復皮膚的健康。事後回想唯一讓我後悔的就是：為何我當初沒有更早的接受治療，來更好的避免痘疤的產生？ 也許我當時和多數的年輕人一樣，覺得不需對此小提大作，或者不認為這是一種病症，所以也應該沒有什麼好的治療？

當了皮膚專科醫師之後，深刻的體會青春痘是非常值得治癒的，且治療的越早越好，來避免疤痕的產生。治癒過上千名患者後，我看著這些青年們從一開始徬惶失意的樣子，到治癒後那整個自信和氣場都蛻變了，讓我也為他們深深的感到高興 😊。

14/05/2022

[OPEN APPLICATION SKIN TEST]

Do you have sensitive skin, or a history of eczema or atopic dermatitis? Then this video is a MUST WATCH!

Skincare products may contain preservatives, fragrances, or other active ingredients, with the potential to cause skin irritation. The frequency and severity of irritation may be increased in those with sensitive skin, the result is a rash called contact dermatitis.

Contact dermatitis may be persistent, even if you only come into contact with the offending skincare product on odd occasions (for example, once or twice a week), and there may be a couple of days’ delay between the time of application, and the time when irritation occur. Therefore if you have multiple skincare products at home, it may be difficult for you to identify the one which is causing your rash. Under these circumstances, you may need a dermatologist to assist you.

The best approach, is therefore to first test any new skincare products you purchase, prior to full use. This is called an open application test, which consists of testing the product on a small area of your skin, twice daily, for 1 week. If no rash nor irritation occur at the end of the week, the likelihood of developing contact dermatitis from this product is low, and it may now be used of a regular basis.

For more information on how to conduct an open application test, please watch our video!
____________________________________________________________________

To find out more about us, please visit our official website
https://skinique.nz/

Through reliable skincare education, and really knowing your own unique skin type, you can optimise skincare results through avoidance of common pitfalls or myths in daily beauty routines. To learn all about building yourself an effective, bespoke skincare & rejuvenation regime, check out the [Skincare Masterclass]!
https://skincaremasterclass.voomly.com/

If you are troubled by acne, check out the [Acne Masterclass] to revolutionise your approach in effective acne self-care!
https://acnemasterclass.voomly.com/

24/04/2022

[Your secret to healthy pores, calm and radiant skin?]

Beta hydroxy acid (BHAs) is a commonly used cosmeceutical ingredient, with salicylic acid being the most well known agent in this group. It may be naturally extracted from the bark of the willow trees, but may also be synthetically produced. In New Zealand, without medical prescription or supervised use in office based treatments, it is generally available for over the counter purchase at a concentration of 2% or less.

In addition to superficial exfoliation, it also penetrates hair follicles to help unclog pores, and have mild anti-inflammatory effects; therefore it may benefit acne prone skin. In higher concentrations, such as 20% or above, it may be used as a cosmetic peel to remove unwanted pigmentation, or achieve rejuvenation goals. It is also considered safer for skin of colour, compared to glycolic acid peels with equivalent strength percentage.

Although the effect is much milder compared to higher strength cosmetic peels, daily application of low percentage salicylic acid creams may help to improve skin smoothness, radiance & glow.

If you are into natural skincare, why not check out creams which showcase salicylic acid as their key ingredient? (It would be prudent however, to ensure that you are not pregnancy during use, especially with high dose salicylic acid preparations)

Interested? Then ask your local chemist or your dermatologist about salicylic acid preparations!

08/04/2022

[If you SPOT something, say something!]

As a dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon, I have diagnosed and treated thousands of skin cancers. Skin cancers diagnosed in the early stages are usually smaller, easier to manage, and have better outcomes following treatment.

Skin cancers, including melanomas, are usually asymptomatic in the early stages. There may be no pain, itch or discomfort, however if you follow the lesions visually overtime, you will observe progressive enlargement, with changes in appearance or colour, over a period of weeks to months. Spontaneous bleeding, or delayed healing, are other hallmarks of a brewing skin cancer.

Following a formal full skin examination, I counsel my patients on features of suspicious skin lesions, so that they may detect any future skin cancers in the early stages. But what about their scalp or back, where they cannot easily see? This is where the concept of ‘Partner Assisted Self-skin Examinations’ comes in, where a family member assists in taking photos of the person’s back, to document baseline benign spots (following their formal skin examination). Then every 4-6 months, use the photo as comparison to look for any new or changing spots. This way the patient should be able to detect any potential skin cancers in the early stages, even in the hard to see locations.

Not all spots should be discounted as age spots or blemishes, therefore if you spot something, say something, you may save a life!

To find out more about us, please visit our official website
https://skinique.nz/

____________________________________________________________________

Through reliable skincare education, and really knowing your own unique skin type, you can optimise skincare results through avoidance of common pitfalls or myths in daily beauty routines. To learn all about building yourself an effective, bespoke skincare & rejuvenation regime, check out the [Skincare Masterclass]!
https://skincaremasterclass.voomly.com/

If you are troubled by acne, check out the [Acne Masterclass] to revolutionise your approach in effective acne self-care!
https://acnemasterclass.voomly.com/

25/03/2022

[Vitamin C for Skin? Better watch this before you buy!]

It is well known that Vitamin C possesses the power to protect your skin from UV damage, and reduce unwanted pigmentation. Therefore many beauty products showcase Vitamin C as their hero ingredient.

However, NOT ALL VITAMIN C ARE CREATED EQUAL!

What you actually want is L-ASCORBIC ACID: a derivative of vitamin C, this is the active ingredient that exhibits anti-oxidant and pigment fading properties.

However, the problem is the highly unstable quality of Ascorbic acid, it is easily oxidised or denatured by environmental exposure, therefore requires stringent formulation and packaging designs.

Watch this video to learn how to choose the right products, so that you avoid wasting money on potentially ineffective vitamin C cream or serum.

Through reliable skincare education, and really knowing your own unique skin type, you can optimise skincare results through avoidance of common pitfalls or myths in daily beauty routines. To learn all about building yourself an effective, bespoke skincare & rejuvenation regime, check out the [Skincare Masterclass]!
https://skincaremasterclass.voomly.com/

If you are troubled by acne, check out the [Acne Masterclass] to revolutionise your approach in effective acne self-care!
https://acnemasterclass.voomly.com/

11/03/2022

[New Zealand's natural goodness]

Did you know that Manuka Honey, a New Zealand specialty produce, is not only healthy, tastes great, but is also potentially a great skincare product?

Medical grade Manuka Honey is natural, possesses anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties. Applied topically, it may benefit acne-prone or eczema-prone skin. It has also been utilised in medical dressings to expedite healing of chronic skin ulcers.

The efficacy of Manuka Honey is dependent on a potency rating called UMF (Unique Manuka Factor). The honey is tested for key signature compounds leptopsperin, methylglyoxal and dihydroxyacetone. The higher the UMF rating, the greater the efficacy, and its potential health benefits.

If you are into natural skincare, why not check out creams which showcase high UMF Manuka Honey as their key ingredient? (It would be prudent however, to ensure that you are not allergic to bee products prior to use.)

Check out the article on medical grade honey, from the New Zealand Dermatological society website:
https://dermnetnz.org/topics/honey

Through reliable skincare education, and really knowing your own unique skin type, you can optimise skincare results through avoidance of common pitfalls or myths in daily beauty routines. To learn all about building yourself an effective, bespoke skincare & rejuvenation regime, check out the [Skincare Masterclass]!
https://skincaremasterclass.voomly.com/

If you are troubled by acne, check out the [Acne Masterclass] to revolutionise your approach in effective acne self-care!
https://acnemasterclass.voomly.com/