Hormonal imbalance during pre-menopausal and menopausal age can aggravate underlying skin conditions, such as eczema or causes dry and sensitive skin. Using the right moisturiser is crucial in maintaining the moisture on your skin. Our dermatologist and clinic staff will be able to recommend the right moisturiser for your skin.

Quite often, skin diseases may appear around this age, for example, eczema, and psoriasis. If your skin rash does not improve with moisturiser alone, our dermatologist will be able to guide on further management of your skin condition.

Hair loss – Androgenic alopecia

A person typically losses between 50-100 strands of hair a day. However if you notice thinning of your hair with receding hair line, please consult our dermatologist early. There are available effective treatment that will help restore or prevent early hair loss.

Treatments options available are:

1. Topical minoxidil
2. Other substitute botanical topical treatment
3. Oral supplements
4. Oral medications as prescribed by Dr Liew, depending on your age, sex, and condition
5. Low level laser therapy (LLLT)

Excessive hair – Hirsutism

Hirsutism means unwanted male-patterned hair in a woman. Sometimes, hirsutism can be linked to an underlying medical condition such as polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Effective treatment options available are:

1. Topical treatment
2. Intense pulsed light
3. Laser – Diode Laser

Skin changes during pregnancy or just after pregnancy is not uncommon. The common physiological skin changes are stretchmarks, melasma (pigmentation on the face), hair & nail changes, and increased blood vessel – related skin growths, example pyogenic granuloma and spider naevi.

However there are other skin conditions which are specific to pregnancy, for example, atopic eruption of pregnancy (similar to eczema but these women may not have any history of skin allergies previously), pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (also known as PUPPP), and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, and pemphigoid gestationis.

Fortunately, the last 2 mentioned skin conditions are rare but can be severe and have impact your unborn babies. You may already have an existing skin condition, which can be exacerbated by your pregnancy, for example acne, rosacea, psoriasis, etc.

Our dermatologist Dr Liew, who was a consultant in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Singapore has the knowledge and expertise in looking after pregnant women with skin conditions. She will assess your skin condition and arrange the necessary tests and discuss the best treatment options that are safe for you and your baby.

Dr Liew can also work closely with your obstetrician to best manage your skin conditions. She can also discuss the prevention measures to reduce your stretchmarks, pigmentation for example, and will offer the appropriate treatment subsequently after your pregnancy.

Hormonal changes in women from early puberty to menopause age can sometimes give unwanted effects on the skin, e.g. hirsutism (excessive hair growth), hair loss, skin pigmentation, dry and sensitive skin, acne and rosacea, etc.

Our dermatologist believes in personalised preventative measures in treating these problematic skin changes in women. Our dermatologist uses non-invasive treatment and methods to prevent premature ageing of skin.

We have a range of cosmeceuticals for different types of skin:

— Oily/acne skin
— Dry skin
— Sensitive skin
— Ageing skin
— Pigmented skin
— Sunscreen for different skin types

Pigmentation is a common problem for any of us living in the tropical climate, and especially in Asians.

Two main forms of skin pigmentation is lentigo (superficial) and melasma (deep).

Depending on pigmentation type, our dermatologist will be able to discuss treatment options available:

1. Oral supplements;
2. Topical treatment, usually with short term hydroquinone, retinoid and peptide based; or
3. Laser with combination of pigment laser, pulse dyed laser or intense pulsed light.

Sunscreen is crucial in preventing pigmentation. Sun protection before and after laser treatment is crucial. Numbing cream can be applied to make this treatment more comfortable. Downtime is usually minimal, except for pulsed dye laser where you may bruise for 3-10 days.

Vulva skin disease (commonly misinterpreted as vaginal) is actually a type of skin disease found on the outside area of the vagina. It is a subspecialty in women’s dermatology.

Diagnosis of vulva skin conditions is quite often delayed due to social embarrassment and mis-diagnosis. In most cases, vulva itching is due to irritant contact dermatitis, due to over-washing and usage of various topical product. Most women are compelled to wash frequently when they start to experience itching, which is often misinterpreted as infection or unhygienic genital care.

There are other vulva inflammatory skin conditions such as lichen sclerosus, which can be debilitating to women, causing permanent scarring, leading to urine and sexual dysfunction. Early recognition and treatment will be able to prevent these complications and also prevent skin cancers.

Skin cancers or growths in the genital is also not uncommon. If you suspect a growth or ulcer which does not settle, please do not hesitate to consult our dermatologist.

Skin infections, in particular, candidiasis and also sexually transmitted infections are not uncommon in women. We would recommend a regular sexual health screening for those who are sexually active.

Dr. Liew is renowned in managing vulva skin conditions. She founded and managed the vulva clinic at the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Singapore, and ran clinics at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London – renowned for its treatment of genital skin diseases.