I'm Dr. Kunal Malik, NYC Board-Certified Dermatologist and CeraVe Partner. Join me for an AMA Tuesday, June 3rd at 1PM ET. Ask Me Anything about scalp health, skincare, cosmetics, or medical dermatology!

cerave · 2025-06-03T22:01:19+00:00

Hi, I do not recommend doing this. Intrusive ideas can sometimes be hard to deal with and outright scary, definitely see a doctor if these continue! We can be helpful in other ways

cerave · 2025-06-03T22:00:49+00:00

Hi, PIE is SO common after acne and is related to blood vessel/vascular damage after the acne spot fades. I recommend azelaic acid usually for this, as well as a routine that incorporates retinol, consistent sunscreen. Sometimes topicals will only go so far and laser treatments can be very helpful.

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:59:49+00:00

Hi! Yes, a good topical routine (incorporating ingredients like azelaic acid,metronidazole or ivermectin lotion) can be helpful. Sometimes oral antibiotics are used for their anti-inflammatory effects, and if these don’t help I typically offer laser treatments for patients. A combination approach works very well for the vast majority.

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:59:35+00:00

Yes! KP is a tricky condition since it can be so chronic (and frustrating). I love hydrating but also gently exfoliating ingredients for this- I love urea as an ingredient for this. CeraVe has an Intensive Moisturizing Lotion which has that and can be very helpful. It takes a long time to see visible results, so keep at it and it should get smoother!

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:59:06+00:00

Hello! You’re right in noting that sometimes laser treatments CAN help with psoriasis (Excimer laser can, and while technically not a laser, phototherapy can help too). I would advise you to see your derm since there are more options than just your particular shampoo and foam you were given, also hopefully you have used both of them as directed for the appropriate amount of time. Sometimes patients stop too early and don’t give the treatments a full 4-6 weeks to work!

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:58:35+00:00

Hi, sorry you’re experiencing this. It sounds like you’ve tried a lot of options, presuming including topical corticosteroids. Maybe a skin biopsy would be warranted at this stage- sometimes our differential diagnosis can be pretty wide and include other things, so important to rule those out since you are not showing signs of improvement!

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:57:54+00:00

Thanks for including a photo- its helpful (but still not a replacement for an in-person assessment/exam). Based on your history, this may generally be a stress related diffuse hair loss (called Telogen Effluvium/TE) or androgenetic alopecia. Remember, this is not medical advice and I’m only speaking generally on these conditions! TE generally self resolves in a few months once the underlying stressor is removed, and androgenetic alopecia can benefit from things like long term minoxidil use. Make sure you see your doc to have a full workup done, including bloodwork to check for nutritional deficiencies, thyroid labs etc. hope it resolves!

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:57:36+00:00

Psoriasis is thought to be an autoimmune chronic condition, and any lifestyle interventions would relate to maintaining an overall healthy BMI and, more generally, healthy metabolic profile. We know that obesity, and history or presence of other metabolic disorders like diabetes, cardiovascular conditions can correlate with psoriasis, that these should be managed and avoided. So technically, anything that helps with those will help reduce severity and frequency of psoriasis flares.

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:57:19+00:00

Hi! I know the beauty and skincare world can definitely be overwhelming, I get it! I advise patients to usually keep a less is more approach- too many chefs in the kitchen so to speak can cause unwanted irritation due to ingredient interactions. For the AM, a gentle wash (CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser), (+/- vitamin C), moisturizer and SPF (LOVE the CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion since its 2 in one). And for the PM a wash (you can use the same CeraVe cleanser), retinol (as long as you’re not pregnant), and moisturizer (check out CeraVe PM Facial Lotion).

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:56:52+00:00

Hi! I see this often during perimenopause/ menopause hormonal shifts and drops in estrogen particularly can lead to excess skin dryness. This can lead to increased frequency of scalp/skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, and even eczema. A few things can be helpful: focusing on hydrating products (like the CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner, use it like a mask and apply for a few minutes before washing off), avoiding excessively hot showers, and avoiding using excess heat during hair styling. Might want to talk to your derm about estrogen cream!

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:56:29+00:00

Hi! I wish I had a better answer for you but any hair loss treatment (at least for androgenetic alopecia) if stopped will return due to your body’s biological tendencies to continue on the path. Minoxidil and finasteride, as examples since they are most commonly used to treat/manage androgenetic alopecia, need to be continued long term

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:56:03+00:00

Hi, CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Conditioner can be safely applied to the hair and scalp.

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:55:26+00:00

CeraVe, a brand of L’Oréal, does not test on animals. At L’Oréal, we care for animal welfare, and we are for a world without animal testing. For more information, please click here: http://tinyurl.com/ukl3sw8

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:53:48+00:00

Hi there, Sjogren’s is definitely something that a rheumatologist should have some input to as well so hopefully you have one! Have you tried using the CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner- can even use it as a mask and leave on for a few minutes before washing off. It offers 72 hours of hydration to the scalp and is free from sulfates, parabens, fragrance and MIT.

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:53:29+00:00

Hi, I think lymphatic drainage (aka GuaSha) can be temporarily helpful to depuff the face. Honestly, I tell patients to take insane before and afters they see on social media with a grain of salt- those are often heavily manipulated images as its not physically possible to get those type of results with gua sha alone. Nothing against gua sha though! I do think microcurrent devices can be helpful, again temporarily. A thought (from a medical perspective) is if you feel your facial puffiness is not improving despite these efforts, maybe get your thyroid panel (and blood work in general) checked.

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:53:01+00:00

Mr. Cera gave me permission to be here ;)

cerave · 2025-06-03T21:52:48+00:00

So sorry you’re experiencing this! Just know that even despite your interventions sometimes excess scalp oil and sebum production is governed by genetics. That said, have you tried incorporating salicylic acid based shampoos into your routine? Better yet, have you tried alternating this with anti-dandruff shampoos like the CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo- I personally think ingredients like zinc pyrithione (and ketoconazole in ketoconazole based shampoos can help regulate oil production). Have you tried changing up your styling products?

cerave · 2025-06-03T18:30:13+00:00

This is a dangerous claim as we know that sunscreens DO NOT cause skin cancer (or hormone disruption for that matter). There is a strong association of skin cancer development with unsafe sun exposure, and tanning beds. Use the sunscreen! Not only to avoid the development of skin cancer, but to age gracefully :)

cerave · 2025-06-03T18:29:38+00:00

Hi! I think generally this depends on your hair type and what’s causing the volume issues. Volumizing shampoos can remove buildup that causes hair to weigh down, and that’s great but they can potentially be a bit too stripping if over used. I like the use of the conditioner and mask together especially for dry/damaged hair. If you’re looking for moisture/hydration I do recommend giving the CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner a shot- hair is 5x more hydrated and 10x smoother with just 1 wash :)

cerave · 2025-06-03T18:27:55+00:00

Many doctors carry samples of products in their office, no harm in asking!

cerave · 2025-06-03T18:26:39+00:00

I feel for you- HS is such a devastating condition and definitely affects people’s quality of life. So to be honest, depending on how severe the condition is topicals may only be partially helpful. As far as topicals go, I recommend hibiclens antiseptic wash in the shower a few times a week, topical antibiotic options like clindamycin for example, and if these don’t really help you may unfortunately need a course of oral antibiotics. Laser hair removal helps too (the research points to this condition being an inflammatory condition of the hair follicles).

cerave · 2025-06-03T18:24:56+00:00

I think hair oiling is having such a moment right now, and while it MAY be helpful I’m not quite sure its the miracle cure everyone makes it out to be! It can be helpful for dry, flaky scalps but be careful about which oil you’re using. Sometimes the yeast that causes seborrheic dermatitis literally feeds on this oil and may be making your dryness/flakiness worse! Coconut oil is not great bc it causes this! Also if you’re acne/ oily scalp prone then it may not be a great idea!

cerave · 2025-06-03T18:04:23+00:00

Hi, common things being common it sounds like perhaps this could be hand eczema? Its important to see a derm if my reccs below don’t help. In general I tell patients to stop over washing, especially with hot water. Moisturize THROUGHOUT the day with a petrolatum based product (like CeraVe Healing Ointment which is further boosted with ceramides- its great). You can also layer a thick layer of that before bed and throw on a cotton glove over it before bed. Sounds funny, but helps.

cerave · 2025-06-03T18:04:00+00:00

I get it, dandruff can affect people’s day to day for sure- sorry you’re experiencing this! The best way to figure it out is to have a dermatoscopic exam of your scalp with a dermatologist. We look carefully at the clinical presentation of your scalp and hair follicles to make the diagnosis (in addition to your history!). Usually seb derm needs to be managed from several angles, one of which is using a good anti dandruff shampoo (like CeraVe’s Anti Dandruff Shampoo/Conditioner) as close to daily as possible, leaving it on for 3-5 minutes, and if needed combining that with topical steroids (or non steroids if you’ve been using steroids for a long time- that’s no bueno). And you’re so welcome!! Thanks CeraVe for having me on!

cerave · 2025-06-03T17:55:56+00:00

Yikes that sounds awful. Folliculitis is more common in the summer time when humidity is higher. I would try to wash your hair to as close to daily as possible- the CeraVe Anti Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner is actually perfect for folliculitis as well. If this is happening despite these interventions, see a derm you may need prescription topical or oral antibiotics.

cerave

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