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lasting results with cysticor severe acne, but thebes t way to prevent acneis by using a combination

,,~ of ingredients that addresseach step in the breakout

process, including salicylicacid to disrupt the plug,benzoyl peroxide forprotection from bactefia,and sulfur for its anti­

inflammatory effect.Bottom line: You can treat

the superficial causestopically, but becauseacne involves genetics, theonly permanent solu tionwould involve gene therapy,which hasn't yet beendeveloped.

If you have a question about

makeup, skincare, or haircare, go

to oprah.com/omagazinctalk.

For details see Shop Guide.

tt.J hittme thathair removed bylaser or electrolysis

comes back after you havea baby?No ...though it mightlook that way. In general,about 20 percent of hairwill always grow back afterlaser or electrolysis, saysDavid Colbert, MD,founder of the New York

Dermatology Group.When you're pregnant,hormonal surges increasehair growth on the body,so you might think that yousee more regrowth than youactually do. But once yourhormones rebalance, in oneto six months after birth,the growth diminishes.Bottom line: You're no

hairier after pregnancythan you were before. (I]

to dissolve fat, preventwrinkles, grow andeliminate hair, shoot peopleinto space (and even bringthem back); how hard can

it be to get rid of acne?Harder than you'd

think, because acne resultsfrom a complicated

process involving a pluggedpore, oil, bacteria, andinflammation, and it's also

influenced by geneticsand hormones, says KatieRodan, MD, associateprofessor emeritus ofdermatology at StanfordUniversity Medical Centerand cofounder of theskincare line Rodan +

Fields. A shot of cortisone

directly into the pimplereduces inflammation

in a day or two, and theprescription medicineAccutane can get long-

which can lead to oily skinaround the eyes and nose,she says.

Or- I'm sure you'vethought of this - youmay be using too much eyecream. If you're finding ithard to wear eyeshadowor liner because it migratesoff your lids, try aneyeshadow primer, whichlays down a base that keepsyour eye makeup in place.Bottom line: Hormonalfluctuations can cause

various changes in your skin;oily eyelids is one of them.

tt1In thistechnologicallyadvanced age,

why isn't there a way to getrid of acne immediatelyand permanently?Hear, hear! We've prettymuch figured out how

ttJ Since I tum,d 4°,I've noticed that

though my skin isdry, my eyelids have gottenoily.What's up with that?Some of the things you writeto me about, my friends,would terrifY a lesser woman.(Or maybe just a youngerwoman.) As for oily lids:First, if you have blurryvision, you should consulta doctor to rule out a coupleof conditions that mightcause oil on the lids, saysSapna Westley, MD, clinicalinstructor in dermatologyat St. Vincent's Hospitaland Medical Center in New

York City. Though oilglands usually become lessactive during perimenopauseand menopause, insome women hormonalfluctuations can cause

overactivity of those glands,

You've gotquestions? Ourbeauty director,

VALERIE MONROE,

has answers.

II4 DECEMBER 2008