Submitted by Sara Turbeville from Santa Monica, CA

Q: I know hyaluronic acid is beneficial for dry skin...BUT it's contingent on the fact the air around you has moisture for it to be attracted to your skin. What would be the best substitute (raw-ingredient) for those who live in dry, desert-like climates? Many thanks! Sara

Answered 11/18/08 08:11:56 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: Yes it must be used in a humid environment. Shea butter is a good ingredient to look for. Also cermaides, stearic acid and cholesterol. For a product, I suggest AtoPalm found at www.Baumannstore.com

Submitted by Swap from Miami

Q: Dr. Baumann I am looking for a physical sunscreen with a tint. Currently i am using Blue Lizard Sensitive skin, but it leaves a white cast on my face. Please recommend a product. Thank you.

Answered 11/18/08 08:10:33 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: The Quintessence one at Skinstore.com is nice. It has severla levels of tint. here is the link http://www.skinstore.com/p-2214-quintessence-sunshade-spf-30-medium-tint.aspx

Submitted by Hollis Caravetta from miami, fl

Q: Dear Dr. Baumann, I have never heard of anyone else with this problem and could not find anything online so i am hoping you have an answer. I have always had long eyelashes and get compliments on my eyes, which are my best feature. For almost a year the deyelashes on one eye only have started to grow what I would call UPSIDE DOWN! They bend downwards blocking my vision.I trimmed them once and then stopped. What causes this? No eyelash curler works on me. Nothing seems to turn them up again. It is very annoying.

Answered 11/13/08 08:36:35 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: I spoke to my colleague Dr. Wendy Lee. She said to come see her on Miami Beach. Call 305-532-5552. She has heard of this and feels she can help you.

Submitted by J. Stevenson from Akron, Ohio

Q: I am applying Urea Lotion (40% Urea) for topical use on my arms and back. Is there any way this could decrease or have a negative effect my birth control pills?

Answered 11/13/08 08:35:26 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: No. Please visit www.skinguru.com for my twice weekly blog.

Submitted by Kristie from Baton Rouge, LA

Q: Dr. Baumann, I am 35 and still have very faded freckles on my face from when I was a child. It is hardly noticeable on my cheeks, nose and forehead and that doesn't bother me. However, around my eyes, they are more prominent. It is making the skin around my eyes appear darker than the rest of my skin, but if I use any type of concealer (powdered/mineral, liquid) all it does is accentuate the fine lines. Is there a safe way to fade these freckles so close to my eye area?

Answered 11/13/08 08:34:52 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: Yes. Intense Pulsed Light Treatments can help. Mary Lupo MD in New Orleans si a great dermatologist. You should see her.

Submitted by Anonymous from Dania Beach

Q: What can I do about finger nail fungus? I have almost lost one nail. After trying prescribed meds I have been using ZetaClear at least 3x/day, a homeopathic product. It looks like it may be working on one nail but the bad one is not improving. I have tried soaking in Listerine as well.

Answered 11/07/08 10:41:13 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: How long were you on the prescription medications? It often takes 6 months of therapy to resolve. You need to see your dermatologist for this and make sure only clean manicure and pedicure tools are used.

Submitted by Lucinda Ponce from Miami, FL

Q: I was watching the FitTV series Ten Years Younger and saw you on the show. You enlisted the assistance of a physical therapist for one of the people featured on the show that was addicted to diet pills by use of massage therapy to redistribute fat throughout the body, reducing the dimpling appearance of her skin. What was the name of the physical therapist? Where can I contact her?

Answered 11/07/08 10:40:11 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: Here name was Gladys Seymour. The web site is http://seymoursystems.com/contact.htm and phone number is 305-623-6360

Submitted by priyanka from homestead

Q: laserhairremoval is it safe ?

Answered 11/07/08 10:34:54 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: Yes. It is.

Submitted by fauna rivera from pembroke pines fla

Q: i have small bumps all over my face, chest, back like red little pimples i have tried tetrocycline,retin a proactiv,birth control pills and other over the counter treatments,i am at my witts end i even had hormonal tests done what do you think the problem might be my skin is also very oily.what do i need to do to address this problem that i have been living with for about eight months please help me!!!!

Answered 10/23/08 16:53:05 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: I think you have keratosis pilaris. This is a form of dry skin. Try moisturizing 3 times a day with a moisturizer such as Vaseline Intensive Therapy after first using a scrub such as Philosophy Coconut Milk Scrub http://www.skinstore.com/p-6177-philosophy-coconut-salt-scrub.aspx. Of course, without seeing you it is hard to be sure.

Submitted by Kim from Tallahassee, FL

Q: My acne has been acting up lately and to my extreme disappointment I'm getting more new scars. They look like little dents..I think they're ice pick scars. Is there any way to prevent this? what causes them? One of my pores was clogged for months and suddenly one day the clog stuff fell out leaving a hole. I felt like a scar just appeared and I couldn't avoid it! And do at home remedies work for scars(lemon juicy, cucumbers, rose water, etc.)? What can I do to avoid scars and get rid of the ones that have already formed? :( P.S. You have great skin, how do you do it?

Answered 10/09/08 11:12:16 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: I use Tazrac- a retin A type drug, every day. You REALLY need Retin A. Get a prescription from your doc. Will help prevent pores form clogging and that prevents acne and scars.

Submitted by Anonymous from Fort lauderdale

Q: Hi doctor, I am loosing my mind over the brown spots, I have dark skin, so I heard that laser are not recomended and I tried every cream. Help Please!!! Thanks

Answered 10/06/08 10:12:22 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: Have you tried a custom made formaulation with hydroquinine 8-10%? You can only get it from a doctor. Dr Woolery at 305-532-5552 specializes in darker skin types and can help you.

Submitted by adam from Detroit, MI

Q: I have had red marks left from acne varying in degree of darkness (i.e. some are almost purple from past cystic acne). These marks have lightened extremely gradually but still remain, some from over a year ago. Is this something a vascular laser such as Vbeam could correct? If so, how many treatments would be likely and are pupura settings necessary to acheive these results? Thanks!

Answered 10/01/08 09:00:44 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: Yes the Vbeam can help. They will go away on their own eventually. No purpura (brusing) should occur. Are you on Retin A/ That speeds healing as well.

Submitted by Robin D. Pearsall from Pembroke Pines, FL

Q: I have a family medical history of melanoma. I use ANTHELIOS SX Daily Moisturizing Cream with Sunscreen, with Mexoryl SX, by La Roche-Posay, each morning before driving an hour to work. I reapply it on my way home. I wear no make-up. Question: If I apply Bare Escentuals mineral-based face make-up after applying the ANTHELIOS SX, will I diminish the effect of the sunscreen? Thanks!

Answered 10/01/08 08:58:47 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: No, that is fine. It will not diminish the sunscreen. Make sure you get checked by a dermatologist once a year for a full body exam.

Submitted by regina from miami beach,fl

Q: Read with great interest about the keratin hair treatment. Are you still wearing your hair curly our do you blow it out all the time. I would like to remove the frizz, and keep a more open curl without having to blow out the hair. Is that realistic? Will you repeat it? Any concerns about the formaldehyde? Thanks, Regina

Answered 10/01/08 08:57:55 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: I love it and may repeat it but will do next summer. I have to wear it straight all the time. I blow it a little- maybe 10 min and then let it dry. I tame ends with curling iron. If i just let it dry- like after the pool- it dries cute! It is elegant with minimal effort. I do miss having curly as an option so I may go curly for awhile when this wears off and then do it again next summer when it is so humid. I have not tried to do it curly but heard that if you twist it wiht grooming cream it will crul a little. Weird thing is my dry hair seems like it gets oily in 2 days. Others have told me the same. So I wash it every 2-3 days but I used to have to wash it once or twice a day before to deal wiht the frizz. So yes I an ecstatic but I sometimes miss my curls.

Submitted by Swap from MIami, FL

Q: Is there a oil control product with SPF that you recommend for excessive oily skin? Thank you.

Answered 08/20/08 11:27:55 by Dr. Leslie Baumann

A: I have not been able to find one. Sunscreen is soluble in oil meaning they have to mix SPF in oil so they are all greasy. The Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch spf 55 (not 70) is the best I can find but does not control oil. You can mix your sunscreen with OC Eight which is an oil control gel. We sell it at 305-532-5552.