Q&A with Top Doctors

Does drinking milk cause pimples?

Under normal circumstances, drinking milk may increase the risk of developing acne, especially with whole milk and skim milk.

Milk naturally contains IGF-1, a hormone that promotes cell growth and differentiation. When milk is consumed, the level of IGF-1 in the bloodstream increases. IGF-1 can stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of sebaceous gland cells, causing the glands to secrete more oil. Excess oil can block hair follicles, providing a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes, thus triggering or worsening acne.

Milk contains certain androgen precursors, such as precursors of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). These precursor substances can be converted into active androgens within the body. Androgens further stimulate the sebaceous glands to secrete oil, leading to clogged pores and an increased likelihood of developing acne. Whey protein in milk promotes insulin secretion. Elevated insulin levels not only affect glucose metabolism but also indirectly impact hormonal balance in the body, causing a relative increase in androgen levels, which in turn stimulates sebaceous gland secretion and triggers acne.

However, it's important to note that not everyone who drinks milk will develop acne; this is closely related to individual genetic background, hormone levels, gut microbiota status, and overall dietary habits. Some individuals may be sensitive to specific components in milk, while others may remain unaffected. Before making any dietary changes, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or nutrition expert to ensure receiving comprehensive and personalized advice while avoiding malnutrition or other health problems.

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Dr. Liu Wenmin
Jun 04, 2025
Can patients with chickenpox be exposed to wind?

In general, patients with chickenpox can be moderately exposed to air movement, but should avoid direct exposure to cold air or prolonged air blowing.

Patients with chickenpox often experience fever and feel hot. Moderate air movement can help reduce skin temperature, making patients feel more comfortable and alleviating discomfort caused by fever. Air movement helps circulate indoor air, allowing fresh air to enter and reducing the growth of pathogens indoors, thereby lowering the risk of secondary infections and aiding in recovery.

Patients with chickenpox usually have relatively low immunity. Direct exposure to cold air may cause chilling, further reducing resistance and increasing the risk of catching a cold. A cold may worsen symptoms of chickenpox and prolong the illness. Chickenpox rashes are fragile; direct exposure to air, especially cold air, may irritate the skin, intensify itching, and lead to scratching that can cause skin damage and increase the risk of infection, which is unfavorable for rash healing.

During the course of the illness, chickenpox patients should avoid direct exposure to wind, especially cold or strong winds, to reduce skin irritation and the risk of cross-infection. Additionally, maintaining personal hygiene, ensuring indoor air circulation, and appropriately regulating room temperature can help promote recovery. If high fever persists or the rash worsens abnormally, patients should seek timely medical attention for professional treatment.

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Dr. Liu Wenmin
Jun 04, 2025
Is chickenpox contagious to others?

In general, chickenpox is contagious and highly infectious.

When a patient with chickenpox coughs or sneezes, the virus spreads into the air through respiratory droplets. Healthy individuals who inhale these virus-containing droplets may become infected. Chickenpox is closely related to colds and respiratory tract infections. The respiratory droplets from patients are highly infectious, and individuals who have never had chickenpox are particularly susceptible to infection when their immunity decreases. The rash associated with chickenpox contains the virus, and when the blisters rupture, the fluid can contaminate clothing and objects. If a healthy person has broken skin and comes into contact with the blister fluid from a patient, the virus can enter the body and cause infection. Additionally, close contact with a chickenpox patient, such as hugging or shaking hands, may also lead to transmission, as the virus can spread through skin contact or saliva.

Personal items previously used by a patient, such as towels, clothing, and toys, can transmit the virus to others if not thoroughly disinfected. Transmission can occur when healthy individuals come into contact with ruptured lesions from a patient or contaminated clothing and objects. Although chickenpox is not a typical maternal-fetal infectious disease, in some cases, if a pregnant woman develops chickenpox before delivery, the virus may be transmitted to the fetus through the placenta or birth canal, potentially causing fetal malformations or premature birth.

During medical procedures, failure to strictly follow disinfection and isolation protocols may lead to iatrogenic transmission of the chickenpox virus. Improper protection by healthcare workers and the use of contaminated needles, stethoscopes, or other equipment can easily lead to virus transmission. It is recommended to follow guidance from local health authorities regarding vaccination to establish herd immunity and effectively control the spread of chickenpox. Additionally, once a case of chickenpox is identified, immediate isolation measures should be implemented, and thorough cleaning and disinfection of the patient's clothing, bedding, and other personal items should be conducted to minimize further viral spread.

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Dr. Liu Wenmin
Jun 04, 2025
Can vitamin E remove acne scars?

In general, vitamin E can help remove acne marks, but the effectiveness varies from person to person and usually needs to be combined with other methods.

Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and reduces oxidative stress-induced skin damage. Acne mark formation often involves inflammatory responses, during which free radicals are generated and damage skin cells. Vitamin E can combat these free radicals, reduce oxidative damage, and aid in the repair and regeneration of skin cells. Vitamin E can penetrate into the skin, nourish the skin, and enhance the skin's barrier function, thereby improving the condition of skin affected by acne marks to some extent. When applied topically to acne marks, vitamin E provides additional nutrients to the skin, promotes local skin metabolism, accelerates the turnover of skin cells in the affected area, and gradually fades acne marks.

Vitamin E may show noticeable effects on some shallow, newly formed acne marks; however, for deeper, older acne marks, relying solely on vitamin E may not completely remove them. Different individuals' skin may respond differently to vitamin E, and some people might experience adverse reactions such as allergies. When using vitamin E, it is important to ensure the quality and purity of the capsule, maintain clean skin before application, and avoid applying excessive amounts to prevent skin oiliness and pore blockage.

However, please note that everyone's skin condition is different, so the effectiveness of using vitamin E to remove acne marks can vary. If acne marks are severe or fail to improve over a prolonged period, it is recommended to consult a professional dermatologist for a more scientific and personalized treatment plan.

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Dr. Liu Wenmin
Jun 04, 2025
Can Coptis Detoxification Tablets help remove pimples?

Generally, Huanglian Shangqing Tablets may have a certain auxiliary effect in treating acne, but the effectiveness varies from person to person, and acne cannot be resolved solely by relying on this medication.

Huanglian Shangqing Tablets contain ingredients such as Coptis (Huanglian) and Scutellaria (Huangqin), which have heat-clearing properties. These ingredients can help eliminate internal heat toxins and alleviate acne caused by excessive internal heat. They may improve mild acne caused by excessive internal heat or fire toxicity. The components in the tablets can inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators, reduce local inflammatory responses, thereby relieving redness and swelling of acne lesions, and also inhibit bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes, thus reducing inflammation. By regulating the body's internal environment and balancing hormone levels, they can reduce acne caused by endocrine disorders.

Different types of acne require different treatment approaches. Huanglian Shangqing Tablets may be effective for mild acne caused by excessive internal heat or fire toxicity, but their effectiveness is limited for severe cystic or nodular acne; they are ineffective against non-inflammatory comedones such as whiteheads or blackheads. Mild acne symptoms may be improved through lifestyle adjustments and the use of medications like Huanglian Shangqing Tablets. However, severe acne often requires comprehensive treatment, including topical medications, oral antibiotics, or retinoids. Individual responses to medications vary. Some people may be sensitive to the components in Huanglian Shangqing Tablets and experience better therapeutic effects, while others may find the effects less noticeable.

It is recommended to use this medication appropriately under the guidance of a qualified physician, especially with caution for those with weak spleen and stomach function. For severe cases of acne, it is especially important to seek help from a dermatologist and develop a personalized treatment plan. Additionally, maintaining a balanced diet, regular sleep patterns, and good skin hygiene can also help prevent and improve acne.

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Dr. Liu Wenmin
Jun 04, 2025
Can pearl powder help fade acne scars?

In general, pearl powder may have some effect on fading acne marks, but the effectiveness varies from person to person and may not be明显 to everyone.

Pearl powder contains various trace elements, amino acids, and other nutritional components. From a topical application perspective, its skin-whitening properties may help reduce pigmentation in acne mark areas, gradually lightening their color. Meanwhile, pearl powder has a fine texture that can be absorbed by the skin. When applied to acne marks, it forms a protective film that provides isolation and repair benefits. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also help alleviate residual mild inflammation after acne subsides and promote skin recovery in affected areas. From an internal regulatory perspective, when ingested, pearl powder can be absorbed by the body to regulate the endocrine system, improve skin metabolism, reduce acne formation, and assist the skin's self-repair of acne marks.

However, the formation of acne marks is complex and may involve factors such as melanin pigmentation and blood vessel dilation. Pearl powder has limited effectiveness in improving melanin pigmentation. Additionally, the quality of pearl powder on the market varies greatly; using low-quality products or improper application methods may irritate the skin and trigger allergic reactions.

If you plan to use pearl powder to fade acne marks, choose reputable, high-quality products. If you have sensitive skin, perform a patch test on a small area of skin first to check for allergic reactions. To achieve optimal results, it is advisable to follow professional guidance from a dermatologist and adopt a comprehensive treatment approach, including but not limited to the use of pearl powder, maintaining a balanced diet, ensuring adequate sleep, and engaging in appropriate exercise.

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Dr. Liu Wenmin
Jun 04, 2025
Can fruit acid peeling remove acne scars?

In general, chemical peeling with alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) can improve mild acne scars to some extent, but its effectiveness is limited for deeper scars.

AHA chemical peeling involves applying high-concentration AHA to accelerate the shedding of the skin's stratum corneum, enhance the turnover rate of keratinocytes and some superficial epidermal cells, and promote the proliferation of elastic fibers in the dermis, thereby improving skin texture. Regarding acne scars, for those that are relatively shallow and recently formed, AHA peeling can stimulate the skin's repair mechanisms, encouraging the surrounding skin tissue to regenerate and reorganize, thus potentially reducing the depth of the scar.

However, if acne scars are caused by severe inflammatory acne that has damaged the dermal collagen and elastic fibers, resulting in deep depressions, AHA peeling often fails to achieve satisfactory filling and repair effects. This is because AHAs mainly affect the epidermis and upper dermis, whereas deeper acne scars require more intensive stimulation and repair techniques, such as fractional laser therapy, which directly targets dermal collagen to promote its regeneration and remodeling, or microneedling treatments. These methods may yield more noticeable improvements for deeper acne scars.

Prior to undergoing AHA chemical peeling, it is advisable to consult a qualified dermatologist who can develop a personalized treatment plan based on your individual skin condition. Additionally, proper post-treatment skincare is crucial and includes using sunscreen, avoiding irritating skincare products, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits to sustain the treatment outcomes.

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Dr. Liu Wenmin
Jun 04, 2025
Can aloe vera gel fade acne scars?

In general, aloe vera gel has a certain auxiliary effect in fading acne marks, but it cannot completely remove all acne scars.

Aloe polysaccharides contained in aloe vera gel have good moisturizing properties, which can replenish skin moisture and enhance the activity of skin cells. When the skin is sufficiently hydrated, metabolism may be promoted, thereby helping to fade acne marks. For some shallow, newly formed acne marks, the moisturizing and metabolism-promoting effects of aloe vera gel may gradually lighten the marks. Additionally, aloe vera gel has certain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can prevent the worsening of pigmentation caused by inflammation at the acne mark site, thus indirectly contributing to the fading of acne marks.

Active ingredients in aloe vera gel, such as aloin, amino acids, and organic acids, can inhibit the activity of tyrosinase in the body and suppress the synthesis of melanin in the skin, thus providing skin-whitening and pigmentation-fading effects. However, this effect is limited on existing melanin deposits, and its ability to break down and metabolize pigmentation is not as effective as some specialized whitening and pigmentation removal products. Aloe vera gel shows relatively noticeable effects on new red acne marks by promoting microcirculation and accelerating local blood flow, although it should be used in combination with cold application to constrict capillaries. For old brown acne marks or pitted scars, the improvement effect of aloe vera gel is relatively weak, and such stubborn acne marks require professional aesthetic medical treatments, such as laser therapy, for effective intervention.

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Dr. Liu Wenmin
Jun 04, 2025
How effective is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid, also known as hyaluronan, is a naturally occurring polysaccharide substance in the human body. It is primarily distributed in areas such as the skin, joints, and vitreous body of the eye. It has strong moisturizing capabilities, enabling it to absorb and retain large amounts of water, making the skin appear plump and smooth.

Hyaluronic acid has excellent hydrating and water-retaining properties, which can accelerate the skin's absorption of moisture, resulting in smoother and tighter facial skin. Additionally, hyaluronic acid also has a filling effect, showing significant improvement in skin dryness, fine lines, depressions, and other issues.

By injecting hyaluronic acid into the targeted treatment areas, visible results can be achieved immediately, with a short recovery period and relatively high safety. The effects typically last around 6 months to 1 year, depending on individual differences and the type of hyaluronic acid used.

However, the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid may vary among individuals, with results generally lasting between 6 to 12 months. Furthermore, there are certain risks and adverse reactions associated with hyaluronic acid injections. Therefore, before undergoing hyaluronic acid injection treatment, it is essential to choose a legitimate medical facility and receive consultation and guidance from a qualified physician.

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Dr. Liu Wenmin
Jun 04, 2025
Does enlarged pores from laser treatment rebound?

Laser treatment for enlarged pores is a common cosmetic procedure that utilizes the thermal energy of laser to act on the deep layers of the skin, stimulating collagen regeneration, shrinking pores, and improving skin texture.

Laser treatment for enlarged pores is generally effective. Through the photothermal effect of the laser on the skin, it can remove debris within the pores and promote the reorganization and proliferation of collagen, thereby reducing pore size to some extent.

After treatment, failure to maintain proper daily skin cleansing and care—such as over-cleansing, using irritating cosmetics, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays, and an unhealthy diet—may cause the pores to enlarge again, a phenomenon commonly referred to as "rebound." However, if proper post-treatment skin care is performed, including maintaining skin cleanliness, avoiding UV damage, and following a balanced diet, the likelihood of rebound can be significantly reduced.

Laser treatment for enlarged pores typically requires 3–5 sessions, with each session spaced one month apart, allowing gradual improvement to be observed within the skin's natural recovery cycle. Laser treatment is effective for enlarged pores, but proper care and maintenance are essential to prevent "rebound" and sustain long-term healthy skin condition.

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Dr. Liu Wenmin
Jun 04, 2025