Dear Harriet! Over the past few years, I have developed dark spots on my face. I cover them in makeup but it seems to be getting worse. My friend constantly criticizes me for spending time in the sun. I must admit that for most of my life I worshiped the sun, even as a teenager. I am now 50 years old. I am now concerned that sun exposure may be causing these marks. I have never been to a dermatologist. My friend said that I should. I always thought going to the doctor was weird and only rich people go for it. It says smart so you know what to do to take care of your skin. What do you think? - Take care of your skin
LOVE SKIN CARE: Dermatologists recommend visiting a salon once a year to check on skin health. Believe it or not, your skin is the largest organ in your body. Everyone should evaluate their skin. If you've spent a lot of time in the sun, even in the distant past, the most important thing is to make sure you don't have skin cancer. Yes, hyperpigmentation can result from excessive sun exposure.
Make an appointment today. You don't have to be rich to do this. It would be wise to explore the best way to protect and care for your skin. What you should not do is apply skin lightening products on your face without a doctor's supervision. Such procedures can further damage the skin.
Dear Harriet! My son has always been an excellent student. Now he hangs around in his bedroom and plays video games. He almost never goes out to talk to his family. He dropped out of college during the pandemic and doesn't want to go back. I'm worried about him. Some of his activities are on the depression list. I can't get to a therapist or anything like that. How can I help my son? - Worried Patient
DEAR PATIENT: Who are your son's friends? Do you think any of them could be a good influence on him? You may be able to convince your son to leave your room if friends invite him for a walk or visit. Plan a family vacation that allows her to get out of the house and do something else.
Do your best to get your son to talk to you or a relative. Have a light conversation so you don't ask questions. You may also need some love. Tell him he needs to find a job if he's not going to keep going to school. He must answer for himself. You can inspire them to take action.
If none of this works, schedule an intervention. Ask your therapist to visit you at home and talk to him about what's going on. You must take this seriously. Unfortunately, in recent years, many young people have been beaten, often with depression as a diagnosis. Although your son may be suffering from depression, you should consult with him immediately, even if he becomes angry with you in the near future.
Harriet Cole is a stylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative dedicated to helping people realize their dreams and make them come true. You can direct your questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.