Skin care experts or dermatologists?

[JustMoi]

I have a skin care question.

I have VERY VERY fair skin with freckles. Natural blond, so it's not quite as pale as a natural redhead would have. I do not wear makeup and rarely have throughout my life

I'm 40 years old. On the left cheek I have a couple of large spots that look like collections of several freckles - one is the size of a dime. Others are pencil eraser size. It's only on the left cheek. One has a hard-edged thing in the middle of it that is slightly raised. I've had THAT thing for several months and it hasn't changed.

Any idea what these could be??

I'd also like to use some sort of dermabrasion type thing at home or some sort of product that can help my skin. Something mild and relatively inexpensive.

[still_me]

I have a skin care question.

I have VERY VERY fair skin with freckles. Natural blond, so it's not quite as pale as a natural redhead would have. I do not wear makeup and rarely have throughout my life

I'm 40 years old. On the left cheek I have a couple of large spots that look like collections of several freckles - one is the size of a dime. Others are pencil eraser size. It's only on the left cheek. One has a hard-edged thing in the middle of it that is slightly raised. I've had THAT thing for several months and it hasn't changed.

Any idea what these could be??

I'd also like to use some sort of dermabrasion type thing at home or some sort of product that can help my skin. Something mild and relatively inexpensive.

I'm neither of what you asked in your title, but I'd definitely go to see a dermatologist. I know that you already know that, but anything showing up like that should be checked out.

As for the whole skin abrasion things, I just was reading how this products are doing more damage by stripping away oils and layers that are needed.

[JustMoi]

If I had medical insurance or a job right now, I'd go... but living on unemployment there's no way I can. We can barely afford rent and food let alone anything else. I'm keeping an eye on it though and hoping it's nothing serious. As SOON as I get a job, I'm going to a dermatologist. In the meantime... I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[still_me]

JM, I know how that is. Have you called a GP or someone who usually is cheaper and asked them how much they'd charge?

[jessiehannan]

I understand. I've ot a spot on my shoulder that looks precancerous to me, and I can't afford to have it checked out.

[still_me]

Ladies, we're on unemployment with no medical too. So please know this comes from a place of concern...please get it checked out. There are doctors in our area who are setting up $10 payments just so people will be seen.

Jessie, there is no reason why you and your DH wouldn't be candidates for state medical coverage. DH and I were until his unemployment kicked in.

[jessiehannan]

Ladies, we're on unemployment with no medical too. So please know this comes from a place of concern...please get it checked out. There are doctors in our area who are setting up $10 payments just so people will be seen.

Jessie, there is no reason why you and your DH wouldn't be candidates for state medical coverage. DH and I were until his unemployment kicked in.

We don't qualify for that either. We would if we were on TANF, but we aren't. We make too much for Indigent Health as well.

[still_me]

What is TANF? For some reason, I thought no money was coming in for your household. Am I wrong?

[JustMoi]

I just applied for food stamps, as much as it pains me. I can NOT find a job. Michigan's economy SUCKS worse than the rest of the country and I am living proof. Unemployment is the only income we have and it's keeping us from being homeless, but that's about it.

[still_me]

I just applied for food stamps, as much as it pains me. I can NOT find a job. Michigan's economy SUCKS worse than the rest of the country and I am living proof. Unemployment is the only income we have and it's keeping us from being homeless, but that's about it.


We had to apply for food stamps too. If it wasn't for that, we would have been hurting. I feel your pain about not being able to find a job. DH lost his at the end of July, and if it wasn't for my work giving me more hours we would have been in an even rougher spot than we were. Our unemployment rate around here hovers between 13-15%.

[jessiehannan]

What is TANF? For some reason, I thought no money was coming in for your household. Am I wrong?

My DH has 3 weeks of unemployment left, and the last week isn't a full amount. After then, I will qualify, but until then, I don't. While I don't particualrly want to apply for it, it would be $357 a month (for my family size) that we won't have otherwise, and medical.

TANF is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and it provides cash assistance.

[JustMoi]

We had to apply for food stamps too. If it wasn't for that, we would have been hurting. I feel your pain about not being able to find a job. DH lost his at the end of July, and if it wasn't for my work giving me more hours we would have been in an even rougher spot than we were. Our unemployment rate around here hovers between 13-15%.


I applied the end of August, still no word on the status, so we don't get them. The unemployment rate for Michigan is 20%, which is double the national average. Sucks, big time.