SP: What is your skincare journey? Lessons on Hyperpigmentation | One Health Lens Podcast.

追加: 2026-06-06

[00:00:06]Hello, welcome to the OneHealth Lens podcast where we have conversations around health and related topics making them simple and easy for you to understand. I'm your host Dr. Diana Wangari.

[00:00:19]I must admit I've been having a struggle and you know I come here looking all made up or at least I think and I struggle I struggle with my skin really I really do right I have tried so many so many things and this is the conversation actually we're having today and before I get ahead of myself I think I want to introduce our guest then we hear the story because let me tell you from potatoes to well we'll get to that first Wendo please introduce yourself >> okay hi guys I am Wendo popularly known as with Wendo I'm a style lifestyle and beauty content creator and influencer I'm also a creative entrepreneur at your style commitment >> hi everyone my name is Mundday I prefer to be called Dr. I'm a medical doctor. I live and I practice in Nairobi and I love skin and skin health and everything to do with promoting healthy skin. I'm also an entrepreneur and I run my own company.

[00:01:29]>> But we're talking about dark spots really, right? Why do they still come?

[00:01:34]Uh why do they keep coming back? Right?

[00:01:37]We keep trying so many things. I've told you potatoes and I'll get into that. But it's hyperpigmentation skin care journeys that Wend is going to tell us what she's undergone doc her patients right and I think I'll start Wendo because I've been following you right and >> amazing >> you've you've shared a few things but I think we don't have the complete picture right maybe start off with what's your skin care journey been right tell us the details that we don't know about Okay, natural. [laughter] >> Um, I've had quite the adventure, honestly, with my skin. I've always had reactive skin since I was younger. The very first time I ever experienced any dark spots, I was maybe between 2 to 3 years old. And, um, I got treated for eczema at that point. Um, which cleared out pretty fine. I didn't get any other attacks or reactions other than the protein allergies. Um, I didn't get any other reactions up until maybe I got into teenage years and that's when I discovered, oh, my skin suddenly just lost its melanin. There was just a patch on my neck that became white. At one point was very little. So, I didn't pay attention to it at that point because I just thought it's normal cuz the women in my family also I grew up seeing that.

[00:03:01]So, for me, it just looked like something genetic. I was just like, "Okay, I'm really you guys as people."

[00:03:06]>> Um, so I didn't think much of it until one time um I realized the patch had started growing like it became so small like it was small and then it became almost this size. And at that point, I started getting worried cuz even I have part of my hair white because off of that. And when I decided to go to passport or at least told my parents about it is um the sun would hit me on that spot and it would be so painful and I couldn't figure out um what exactly was happening. It felt like I was burning. Um then we ended up going to a dermatologist. I got visually diagnosed.

[00:03:46]He didn't do no tests were carried out.

[00:03:48]He looked at me and he said, "Yep, that's Vitiligo." So, we started treating Vitiligo. I got up a few creams. Um, those didn't work. I tried them for a while, maybe 2 months. The changes weren't happening. I became even lighter. Actually, half my face was part your color, the other half was dark. And it was crazy. It was very confusing. Um, especially for a teenager. And I had now people question me about my skin. I never had that growing up. Um, I've been brought up in such an empowered home.

[00:04:19]So, for me, my skin was not an issue to me. So, having a teacher ask me if I'm bleaching, I was just like, "Wait, hold on. What's going on?" So, I remember crying to my dad and telling him, "Hey, we actually need to go back." And when we did, um, he gave me now mel melanin supplements, which I took for about six months. And I got tired. I was fatigued.

[00:04:43]Um, I didn't want to keep going. Of course, some of my color did come back, but it didn't come back completely. Um, because I know I was definitely darker than I am right now. But I was glad that some sort of color did come back and a lot of my pigment, the side at least, that was lighter came back through whatever shade I am now.

[00:05:03]>> Um, and then I didn't have any other issues per se until now adulthood. And I'll say, "Yeah, my body changed drastically." I was like, "Is it cuz I'm getting older or what's going on?"

[00:05:19]>> The hormones are acting up again.

[00:05:21]>> Yes. I was super confused and I decided now to take it upon myself cuz now I'm older. It's up to me. Um, I decided to take myself to a dermatologist like a renowned one cuz I'd like to say also I grew up in Kisumu. A lot of there there was very limited options for dermatologists at that time.

[00:05:40]Um so coming now that I live here I had the means to I said okay let me take myself to a dermatologist and I did and I remember expressing to him my experience with my skin and I I told him we were treating vitiligo told him about eczema he was just shaking his head the entire time and I remember one thing that stood out he's like that's definitely not vitiligo um that's not what's happening because the inconsistencies with my hyperpigmentation were different from the pattern apparently with VT legal. So we ended up doing a biopsy. Um and then with that I found that I had leanness.

[00:06:17]It's an autoimmune disease mostly caused by stress and then you get inflammations and it affects your whole skin barrier um in general and that was now what was affecting my pigmentation. Um and that's how I started getting the correct treatment. Um I was on zinc supplements.

[00:06:34]I got a few anti-inflammatory injections and some topical treatment. Um, but yeah, I'm still on that journey. My skin's not perfect, but I'm done chasing perfection at this point because um trying to understand my body better, like beyond the surface.

[00:06:53]>> Yes.

[00:06:53]>> I mean, what's interesting because you bring out some very medical journey, right? But when most people struggle with hyperpigmentation, right?

[00:07:04]>> It's a simple thing as I'm seeing either dark spots here, right? Um I'm seeing a patch that looks different from the other, right?

[00:07:14]>> So I wonder even when you have conversations say with friends, right?

[00:07:18]What's what are the struggles that >> surround hyperpigmentation, right?

[00:07:23]because there might be someone who's watching listening to this and like oh it's just a medical you know and people tend to it's it's a very yeah I feel like it can cause not I feel like it can I know it can cause a lot of emotional >> should I say fatigue you get tired you doubt yourself sometimes >> um >> you always want to change something and it's like I used to look a certain way >> why don't I look like that anymore more.

[00:07:53]Is there something wrong with me? Um, so the emotional effect on it cuz >> for example now when I was 13 in school I remember that was the year I my grades dropped like drastically and it's because mostly I was so stressed out about how people were perceiving me.

[00:08:12]I remember one time um this boy he was bullying some girl and I was just like what's wrong with you? because I was a prefect. Um, and I tried to deescalate it and he just told me >> I'm literally 13 and it's only because my face was literally lighter and my lips I generally have dark lips. So he I didn't even know that was a drug by the way at that point.

[00:08:38]>> And this is >> Yes. And I said, "Oh, >> yeah.

[00:08:42]>> I'm actually different." It makes you notice how different you are and adjust if you don't have like an emotional backing and people around you who can you know pour into you.

[00:08:57]>> Absolutely. I mean >> this this is okay. This is us.

[00:09:00]>> Absolutely. I mean doc maybe just to talk about very specific. Yeah. Because again what before you even talk about what is hyperpigmentation right? Mhm.

[00:09:13]>> You've heard her story. What do people tend to undergo? Right. Because I'd imagine for me, I tell you, I've done so many things. Yeah. I've tried from, you know, how [snorts] they say put a cucumber, put a potato. That was my potato story. Uh I've done so many routines, so many products. Right. So, what's from a experience perspective, even before we go to the details, what do you see? What are the stories you hear of people? What's what do you see?

[00:09:44]>> Yeah. So, thank you so much. The reason why I love skin is because I have also personally faced a lot of skin problems.

[00:09:51]Growing up, I grew up with very severe eczema. I had to have both oral medication and medication for applying which we call topical medication so that I could be able to manage the flares.

[00:10:04]And it's something that growing up also stuck with me because it was very very irritating and debilitating as well.

[00:10:12]Eczema tends to affects this part of the body and this part of the body and the legs as well. Actually there was a time I thought I would never wear like open tops because of the irritation that was quite severe and kept going to the doctors and getting different preparation. So that made me just curious to want to know like what were they giving me and just wanting to understand that. So over the course of uh treating people even close to home my sister she has a different skin type she really suffers from acne now.

[00:10:42][clears throat] Now it has also been a battle you know just trying to manage her from a small child and then now there she said about people just pointing out those you know the the the pastels the the the the the pimples you know they they always assume that someone is doing nothing about it >> you know and now it has made me appreciate and approach people with a lot of empathy because by the time they're coming to you honestly they've tried a million and things and some of them it might not even be easy to share because some of them might not be the best quality product. Um some of us have been a keen or accustomed or been accosted to try some other products that are going to change our skin tones as well. So someone might not be that open-minded tell you that by the way I've actually tried using this cream and maybe it changed a part of my skin. It's not very easy to get that elicit that history from people as well. So for me it has made me approach my patients with a lot of you know kindness and understanding and empathy like I want us to walk this journey together and let's do it patiently. The skin is an organ that needs like TLC tender love and care tender love and care. We're going to treat it like slowly. If it's this that was causing you a lot of irritation we're going to discontinue that. If you need some supplementation on the oral medication we're going to do that in a staged manner. And what I normally just normally ask people to just give your skin the time and the patience that it deserves. And of course use products that are like scientifically back, scientifically tested. That's also very important. Products which are regulated in the market when you get your products. Also make sure that you're buying them from someone who is like authorized to sell them just to avoid this thing that we always have about counterfeit products as well which is something that it's not very forthcoming with people. But at the same time we know it's there and it happens a lot.

[00:12:44]Yeah. With the counterfeit products that we actually have that has also been a challenge as well. But at the same time another challenge I've also really observed is topical creams and I think everyone can attest to this. No long time ago we normally use steroid creams.

[00:13:02]The steroids the the ones that we normally topically use just for short durations of time. But now they've become now agents that people are using now long term which ironically instead of solving the problem prolongs it and makes it worse you know that's the sad thing >> I mean doc so from what I'm hearing one you encounter people who it's a journey right it's a journey so definitely people have tried multiple things right change routine multiple times Right. And there are several things and I'll come back to you and you tell me because you're reading the pasture.

[00:13:44]>> Yeah. What have you tried? What have you not? We'll come back. But maybe doc tell us the skin. What is it, right?

[00:13:51]>> Um so that then we understand why it's important for us to take care of it.

[00:13:57]Tell us about the skin.

[00:13:59]>> Not to deliver you with so much biology even if that's my favorite subject.

[00:14:05]Anyway, we all know that the skin uh form is the largest organ of our body and the skin actually has a very vital role. It's our first barrier of defense against the external environment. And in addition to that, when we have intact skin, our skin is like a brick wall. We have various cells in the skin like they're layered like from the superficial to the deep layers that form an intact brick layer that is actually protect your skin against the external environment. Interestingly enough, the skin also forms a huge part of our immune system as well because the skin also produce now this beautiful melanated skin that we normally see different colors um that actually protect our skin. We live in a very harsh area. We're exposed to a lot of UV radiation and so the melanin in our skin actually provides a pivotal function that helps us to be able to combat that as well considering the area that we're living in.

[00:15:01]>> Mhm.

[00:15:02]>> So even just before you go too far. So melanin is what?

[00:15:06]>> So melanin >> is a pigment in skin that is actually produced by specific cell type called melanocytes.

[00:15:16]>> And it's not only in our skin. If you look at your gums, they're not they're not the same. If I was to do like a test, I check like her retina, I check her, it's different. Has different lay layers of skin. Like you can be able to see that um different people have different like skin tones and shades.

[00:15:37]>> Melanin gives that color.

[00:15:39]>> Yes, melanin gives that beautiful color.

[00:15:41]Yeah. which now varies. And now that one is already genetically predetermined, which is now why we've really seen a lot of movement and a lot of like change towards embracing our skin types and our skin prototypes because you don't know people are like exactly this the same type. Especially like on this side where we live, people have very different tones. And it's beautiful because right now we've learned how to embrace it and to be able to just acknowledge that and appreciate now that's the the wave which you're moving.

[00:16:16]So essentially it's melanin gives you your skin tone your skin color.

[00:16:21]>> So what happens when you have hyperpigmentation? Is it that things are not going okay? What is happening and why are you why >> why now you see that's a very complex question because you've said ask our we make it simple okay making it simple your skin wants to protect you it loves you it wants to protect you it wants to give you the best defense because that's how it's been made. So like for example one if you're overly exposed to excessive sunai we've all there we've been to coast then you come back you're looking like different shades your skin is just like you have taken us to this place where it's extreme radiation of UV light so your skin is now stimulated now to produce excess melanin to protect you against the ultraviolet radiation. So that could be one of the thing excessive UV radiation. Yes. Another thing that could also trigger like we've all been there at that stage of maybe you've sustained a wound a cut wound and you'll see when that wound continues healing there are some stages of that wound it's just becoming dark it's the same function it's a barrier function it's that's now how it's already like genetically engineered to protect the skin against that. So if there's any form of injury and you also notice in people who have suffered like acne in the progress the stages of development of that acne pigment that pimple that's forming as it's healing in that last stage of healing it forms that dark pigment like around that area around that pimple forming and now that's now forming like a defense barrier against now as the skin is is healing as well.

[00:18:05]>> Okay. So of a production of melanin is like a protective factor which essentially if you're exposed to something that's harmful or a trigger uh it overproduces it is can't protect by producing more.

[00:18:21]>> Yes. Excellent.

[00:18:23]>> Excellent. Excellent. Excellent.

[00:18:25]>> Excellent. [laughter] [gasps] >> Um and so that triggers which you said for example son you've been injured and so on and so forth. Mhm.

[00:18:35]>> Right.

[00:18:36]>> Because I want to come back to Wendo about the routines, but then what happens because I've had first number one in terms of sun exposure, right? To be honest, I started using sunscreen way later than >> recommended recommended, right?

[00:18:56]>> Um so that came way later. Yeah.

[00:19:00]But I would struggle if I pop a pimp hole. Obviously it becomes dark, right?

[00:19:05]And I'd find myself then trying to fix that spot, right?

[00:19:11]>> Then it would not work. Then that's when I try something else, right?

[00:19:15]>> So maybe walk us through in terms of just what what are you meant to be doing before you even talk about products, right?

[00:19:23]>> What are you just meant to be doing?

[00:19:25]What is the ideal for? So I do what I wash my face. What what would you ideally recommend for people to begin?

[00:19:33]>> Okay. So one of the things that I highly highly recommend is keep it simple, keep it gentle. Our skin we are we are in harmony with our skin. We want to care and protect for our skin. So we want to work with our skin. So how we do that one? We use gentle products. I think there's a tendency people think that when you harsh scrubs, when you exfoliate, you're like removing.

[00:19:58]Ironically, that's when you're >> damaging.

[00:20:00]>> You're damaging your skin. You're telling your skin cells like now inflammation is happening. Let's now lay the bricks and then now they call the other cells come and now you lay your pigment. You understand? So, let's keep it simple. Let's keep it gentle. Let's use products which are dermatologically tested that are sciencebacked that we can be able to hold our product with authenticity and say this product is registered with the board. If I have a reaction to certain product I'm like the board registered this product. This product was brought in with this batch number. It's registered in the country.

[00:20:35]This is it's licensed. It has a manufacturing date. It has an expiration date. And then things that just enhance our natural barrier function because when that barrier function is remember when it's just disrupted it's like soldiers like now it's time to protect.

[00:20:50]Yeah. It's time to lay down that pigment. It's time to lay down those wound factors and just make sure that it's healed and you know now inadvertently it causes that as well.

[00:21:00]And always always less is more. Like right now if you have so many things just you [laughter] know reduce reduce like less is always more like you know just try and always and our skin tends to lose a lot of moisture. So always make sure that we have a good moisturizer as well. And of course, because of the way we're living in a very harsh area and we're exposed to sunlight a lot, make sure using a high frequency sunscreen that has at least SPF 50.

[00:21:32]>> Okay. Cuz there are some questions that had come in. Is it that this hyperpigmentation is more common in darker skin tones?

[00:21:42]>> Yes.

[00:21:42]>> Why?

[00:21:44]>> Because of the mel the melanocytes.

[00:21:47]their grades of skin. So in some lighter types of skin like the Caucasian skin types, they are also more prone to getting UV damage as well because of the lack of melanin and they're also prone to certain types of skin cancers. So the melanin is also protective but at the same time inadvertently because of now that pre-programmed it can tend to now produce a lot of that pigment now and if it's not managed well and now with the concurrent inflammation it's going to now cause that deliterious effect and now become more than the desired effect that's going to make the skin like smooth and even.

[00:22:26]So then why does it occur if recur because >> if I pop my pimple or forget even popping my pimple right I have a dark spot somewhere right >> then I think I've solved it you know it goes away after some time then it comes back why why would it recover okay the reason for recurrence would be one how we're managing that acne in terms of its severity the terms of acne mild, moderate, and severe acne. So, depending on the severity, there's different agents that we're going to use. So, for the severe forms, we're going to use both oral and the topical forms. And we're going to use a regimen that's now tailored for everybody.

[00:23:12]There's no one size fits all. Yeah. So, everything has to be tailored for that particular person and what stage of the acne that they're undergoing. You understand? and the kind of products that they're using and the consistency that we have. We've said we're going to taper it down. We're going to make it simple. We're going to make it something that can be reproducible over time, something that you it's easy to stick with, something that's consistent. And the recurrence can also because of that you know moving from this trend to this trend not not sticking with one not understanding the severity of the particular form of let's say for example the particular form of pigmentatory disorder that you're facing not understanding the severity. Two not sticking with your routine jumping from one trend to another. And then of course number three not protecting your skin.

[00:24:02]We're not doing sunscreen. Sadly, we're not doing much. [laughter] Yeah. Sadly. Sadly.

[00:24:11]>> Back to you. We're back to you from the doctor. Now, let's talk, right?

[00:24:18]>> I mean, how many routines have we gone through?

[00:24:22]How many?

[00:24:24]>> It's okay to save [laughter] enemy territory. I see.

[00:24:30]>> Good. [laughter] Um, I don't think I've because I grew up in a space where my mom was like less is more just as you said. But it's also from an it was from an uninformed point of view. My mom has flawless skin. She's never had issues with anything. Like she could not drink water for a year and she's fine. Like it's her kidneys would beg to differ.

[00:24:51]>> Okay. Okay. Real. [laughter] >> But like her skin is flawless. So with her, she didn't quite know what to tell me. All I knew is all she knew is don't overuse your topical treatments cuz I know sometimes I'd sneak and use like um some of I don't remember which one but sometimes I'd sneak when I'd had like a little pimple especially during teenagehood.

[00:25:12]>> Yeah, you're good to like >> you said this would help me. Let me take that off.

[00:25:18]>> Um >> yeah, I didn't have quite a lot until maybe 2020. Yeah. When I started now rediscovering myself. Um, I tried turmeric and lemon >> and my skin my face burned. It was burning. Like I felt like I was burning.

[00:25:33]I don't I'm not sure what ingredient it was >> that was making it feel like that. But I think maybe the turmeric scrub cuz you said not to use very harsh push products and I had made some sort of sugar turmeric scrub like >> and that's probably >> and then after that I put like lemon on top of it.

[00:25:52]>> Yep, >> guys. [laughter] I didn't know what I was doing. Like, [laughter] >> is that someone who told you or did you see it?

[00:26:01]>> I just saw it online. But I don't think she's cropped her face. I think I did something wrong. But still, because it worked for her, it didn't mean it worked for me. And also, I ended up being so orange. Was it yellow?

[00:26:13]>> I was not understanding [laughter] why.

[00:26:15]>> I get this.

[00:26:16]>> My skin became suddenly weirdly light.

[00:26:19]Um, I've tried that. Um, I've had my auntie have me try an una mixture. And it's not a paste. And >> yes, the paste. And you think it's the the for what is it called? The pancake one, >> but it's not.

[00:26:33]>> Raisin or the allp purpose.

[00:26:35]>> No, we use the maze like the one for gali.

[00:26:39]Guys, listen. And at the time, I didn't even think I was treating hyperpigmentation. And I think she was just trying to help me be a lady, you know, you know, take care of the skin, do this, this, this works for me. I'm just like, are you sure it works? Cuz it's hurting my [laughter] hurting my skin. And then I stopped and I tried both methods once. And then for my dark spots, the most crazy um one that Okay, I didn't use it, but it was a suggestion.

[00:27:07]>> Is that true?

[00:27:08]>> Well, yes.

[00:27:09]from a family member >> and she had mentioned to use banana leaves. She's like, >> "Yeah, I've heard this banana leaves and banana peel like you and the peel." Oh, she actually said the peel. Sorry. She was like, "Put it on." I'm just Why would I want to walk around smelling like a banana?

[00:27:28]>> No.

[00:27:31]>> Oh, thank God I was not like that. I feel like I was also very scared because my skin is very sensitive. So, I've not really tried crazy products up until now, I started intentionally maybe caring for my skin. And the one thing now that I consistently use like a lot a lot of things, but I always have sunscreen.

[00:27:50]>> Important. Very important. And >> I mean, so sunscreen, we're even going to get into it because and there's the element of products, different sunscreens and how they sort of um behave, right? That's something she mentioned, right?

[00:28:07]>> Why is it that it fails, right? Because you try different things. You're trying to fix this, put this, you know, uneven and you want to look more even. Let's go with that. Why does it fail, right?

[00:28:21]>> Um maybe it's harsh uh harsh products, right? Maybe it's just the incorrect product, but why does it typically fail for most people, at least your patients?

[00:28:32]What have you seen?

[00:28:33]>> What I've actually seen is that you know what we see externally doesn't represent the damage that's going on internally.

[00:28:42]Yes. So on the surface there might be that external you know trying to exfoliate but internally what you're actually doing is triggering an inflammatory process. And when that happens definitely definitely the >> inflammatory was there.

[00:28:59]Yeah, the skin is feeling like it's being attacked and it has to do its basic function of >> repair you know prep protecting you and I think people to just understand the skin is like you know like when you see a brick wall like you've seen they lay beautifully like that like even microscopically like that you're trying to make sure that it has that structural integrity so basically when you are overexfoliating when you're switching from one treatment to the next, not being certain about the ingredients that are in actually that product. Like you talked about sunscreen, but if you actually to test the sunscreens that are actually there and do what they say they're going to do. I think that's why I have a lot of issues with trust issues. Trust issues. I have a lot of trust issues because you see the thing about medication safety and you know doc you know this. we have counterfeit products and people who say this is going to do this and to an unsuspecting person I'm going to try anything that's going to work but at the end of the day when it goes wrong like what do I have as a backup and people don't even know that you know we're supposed to be checking the kind of products that we are using that we're being sold to it should clearly state these are the ingredients in this products you understand what I mean so that you can be able to see like okay maybe I'm trying this but maybe you're even combining two exfoliants at the same time and that's now even now triggering your skin. The skin cells are like hey there's some damage happening here come and you know put that brick wall in order. talk why is it that then one product doesn't seem to be enough right >> can talk about ucerin the pigment control right but this is not enough right we need to then do the dual serum why is it that we need to combine things it's never just do the spare alone and you're fine >> for so for that I would say is >> as you're here and as you continue utilizing your skin your skin also has an excretory function So don't forget that even during the day you're still exposed to dust fumes and toxins. So even right now even as we go at the end of the day you've been exposed to a lot in our external environment. So just to be able to give our skin that to be able to prepare our skin to be able to receive what we're going to give it of course we have to be able to remove those toxins that have now come and we've been exposed to. Of course there's also sweat there's dust. we like to use makeup, things like that. So, of course, when we're using that, we want to be able to prepare our skin just to be able to be like a good receiver >> of the kind of product that we're going to put.

[00:31:44]>> Yeah. Yeah. So, after you've done a good cleanse, just give it like two seconds.

[00:31:48]Just let it pat dry your skin. Also, rubbing your skin very harshly also causes a very hard inflammatory response on your skin. Now after you've already cleansed your skin, you want to now come in with something that's going to work at that serum. We know we have different products because different products have different formulation. So when we talk about something like a cleanser, it's something that's either water or oil based that's going to remove the impur.

[00:32:13]And we talk about a serum, we talk about something that's highly concentrated in a small concentration. So you don't even need much. Just need a small amount that's going to be applied over the problematic area. Yeah. consistently over time. That's going to reduce artifact. Then after you use your serum, you're going to now moisturize. Of course, moisturize won't lock in that moisture. And then of course, we're going to protect because we're not going to stay indoors. And even when we're staying indoors, we're still exposed to blue light. And even now when we get outside there, we have been exposed to radiation. So that is why because you're targeting different things with the different products. Okay?

[00:32:48]>> You understand? Actually done a lot of research about brand. is actually a German brand and uh developed by German scientists and it's actually one of the first molecules that has ever been developed that actually inhibits the melanin production before it's actually formed. So it's not something that's working like um what normally have in the market like to just reduce the existing pigmentation. It's actually reducing it before it's actually formed but not in a way that's like bleaching.

[00:33:19]>> You know what I mean?

[00:33:20]is like taking that pigment and like even when it's laid down it's not as intense as it was. Do you understand where I'm coming from?

[00:33:32]>> Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, have you used it yourself?

[00:33:35]>> Yes, I have.

[00:33:36]>> I tell my stories.

[00:33:37]>> Yes, I have. I really love the serum mostly. I love how it feels on my skin.

[00:33:42]Um, so far so good. I'm yet to see it cuz consistency is key. Um, but yeah.

[00:33:49]and the SPF which is what I love right >> know what's interesting you always find that uh many products leave a cast right which then makes me at some point I stopped using sunscreen because of that right >> uh but I like also the fact that it's it's light right so you're using makeup as well it's easier right >> but I want to ask about some of the myths you've had right And I'll start with you, Doc. What are some of the myths you've had that you're like, "No, this doesn't work."

[00:34:25]>> When you typically get like Asian certain demographic, like even teenagers, they let know if it's like a male >> child, >> you know, but anyway, I'm saying like for men, they're not slow like I'm just like, I'm good to go, you know? M >> and yet still they'll still suffer from the same UV exposure. They'll still suffer from the same acne. Acne affects a lot of teenage boys as well >> and dry skin as well. And those pigment disorders are also affecting >> men as well. So that's one of the myths that I've had >> and in terms of also the healthare seeking behavior for like uh adult men in terms of like their skinare concerns, it's usually something like you know as a by the way.

[00:35:14]>> Yes. And yet it's something that um it's important for someone to to do as they protect their skin.

[00:35:20]>> Okay.

[00:35:22]>> Wonder something that's or even people who written to you and like >> honestly the ones that write mostly are on the internet and they're not giving crit critical um solutions. It's just usually they feel it's bad. You have hyperpigmentation. But I feel like a common misception rather than a myth is you need like the 10 step.

[00:35:48]>> Yeah. This moment we said less is more.

[00:35:51]I really wanted you to maybe touch on that. Do you think that we need all the 10 products because >> give me a practical example if using this because maybe I'm >> I use a fivestep process until recently but what what would be the correct sort of regimen? Yeah.

[00:36:08]>> Okay. I always recommend less is more because whatever you can break down simply it's going to be more sustainable >> because if you make it like as simple as possible the frequency of you doing it is going to be so easy and so repetitive like something like as simple as wearing your sunscreen and carrying it.

[00:36:27]Yeah, that should be easier because you see you can wake up in the morning, cleanse your face very easily, use your serum, moisturize, >> put your sunscreen and now you carry it as you go about your day. Like the time that was really hot in January when you were really complaining >> and then now it has changed all of a sudden you could have your sunscreen you carry it around with you and you keep reapplying it as well. Now in the evening you come remember you've been exposed to a lot of dust toxins and a lot of things in the external environment you want to cleanse your face just moisturize it um sorry you put your serum before then you just do like the they have a nice very nice night cream just simple like three three just very simple very practical very sustainable over time something that you can do even for 6 months >> okay so it's essentially a cleanse then the userin gel serum then moisturizer than the urer ucerine um SPF, right?

[00:37:24]>> Yeah.

[00:37:25]>> And we're all laughing because my is coming out. [laughter] >> But what's interesting and first I removed it because I wanted to just show how small it is, right? Cuz I do carry it. Yeah, >> this I carry in my purse. However, what I liked as well is the uneven skin tone, right? It's not just a sun fluid, right?

[00:37:48]And it's dermatological skin care. This is the gold certified, right?

[00:37:54]>> So why is it important that you have it as 50 plus, >> right? Why is it important as opposed to 20?

[00:38:02]>> Um, and why is it important that you can see here pigment control? Why is it important? Okay, it's very important at least you can get to see it's SPF 50 because of where we're staying right now the exposure to the UV radiation is worse.

[00:38:19]>> So we want something that's going to consistently protect our skin no throughout the day. So sometimes you can use up to a minimum of SPF 30. But you see the problem is how many people are going to keep reapplying their sunscreen during the day? Is it even practical when you're a working person? you know, you're on the move, you're working, maybe you're doing one or two, three things, might not be practical, but when you apply your SPF 50, you're good to go. It's going to give you like broadspectctrum coverage like during the day. And the added advantage of this particular one that has pigment control, it also has the patented diameter. So in the serum it's ultra concentrated but when they formulate it in the sunscreen they've added it as well to give it that extra layer of you know breaking down that melanin pigment that it's not forming so many times like during the process of the day you want to say something >> no [laughter] okay so [snorts] um I think Wendo it's it's a question also around You know, you come from a family that was supportive, right? You've tried multiple things. Yeah.

[00:39:32]And you've seen consistencies, >> right?

[00:39:35]>> But if you're speaking to I would say young girl, right? Um I'll talk about adults because we also have different challenges as well. Not adults, but >> you [laughter] not really not adult.

[00:39:52]No, it's because you know that's a different story for episode two.

[00:39:55]>> Oh, but um what what should you tell people? Right. There's a lady out there, there's a gent out there, right? He she has been struggling in hyperpigmentation.

[00:40:06]What should you say lessons from you?

[00:40:10]>> I feel like if you can focus more on your internal hub because I feel like at the end of the day, it also goes down to what you're eating, what your stress levels are looking like. Um, if you can manage your stress levels and you can manage uh what you're eating and just be patient with yourself as as much the products do work, yes, but you also have to put in some of the work, especially for someone like me with the autoimmune hyperpigmentation, you know. Um, just take care of yourself honestly.

[00:40:42]>> Take care of yourself.

[00:40:43]>> Yes. Treat your skin as an investment and invest in going to a dermatologist.

[00:40:48]So that if there's anything other thing that's underlying as opposed to you now going to treat yourself based off of the symptoms you're having, if there's something else that's causing those symptoms, you can easily get is it medication for it?

[00:41:06]>> A dermatologist is a very essential person in your skinare journey and I feel like everyone should get one.

[00:41:12]>> Absolutely. Yeah. That's interesting and I know we were teasing about the name but you always go to a dermatologist office and you see products there right and sometimes always feel it's it gives you confidence right you know it's something that already has been tested not just from a scientific perspective it's the patients are probably using this right and so that visit to a dermatologist gives you that confidence as well right Sure.

[00:41:43]>> I know they say it's more expensive, right? But it's worth it.

[00:41:47]>> It is. It's very worth it.

[00:41:49]>> Absolutely.

[00:41:50]>> And what it's like a one time kind of thing when you think about it. You'll pay that big >> chunk of money first and then after that the treatment.

[00:41:58]>> Absolutely.

[00:41:59]>> Flawless doc.

[00:42:01]>> Tender love and care.

[00:42:02]>> Yeah.

[00:42:03]>> Turner love and care.

[00:42:04]>> I thought you'd be the one to say >> simple process. One, two, three.

[00:42:10]patience and persistence and consistency. So, be patient with yourself, be patient with your skin, give your skin the right quality products, give your skin the time that it deserves to regenerate so it can be able to regenerate itself and that it can be able to just make use of the products that you've actually given it. So, of course, quality over quantity. Less is always more. You'd rather have few highquality products that going to give you the intended results like for example the userin serum which can give you the intended results within 4 to 6 weeks of consistent use.

[00:42:49]>> And to your point as well the fact that it's something that's good certified.

[00:42:54]You're not walking somewhere along the streets and you've been told there's something that could work, right? You know this is tried and tested. That middle is tried and tested, right? And it's that consistency as well. I think we always certainly I used to expect that I start something today >> by [laughter] tomorrow I wake up I want to see changes.

[00:43:15]>> Exactly right.

[00:43:16]>> Can I tell you something funny? Like you know this skin that you have now was not made today. It was made 60 days ago.

[00:43:24][laughter] >> Interesting.

[00:43:25]>> So these are the top layers that were manufactured 60 days ago. So be fair to your skin as well. Absolutely some grace.

[00:43:35]>> Give it some grace.

[00:43:37]>> I mean, there's a lot to cover there because I was making fun about adult issues, but I feel like there's so many things we deal with at different stages of our lives. Yeah.

[00:43:48]>> That you almost need just this episode, the next one, the next one. This could be a whole docu series at this rate, right?

[00:43:55]>> But a conversation will keep having, right?

[00:43:58]And I know I carried this with me because there's a giveaway, right?

[00:44:04]>> There's a giveaway in sharing your journey, the skin care journey, right?

[00:44:10]You've heard it. You've heard from lemon juice, right? I've told you about my potato story, right? I've told you about my five-step story. Doc can tell you endless stories. But we want you to share your skin care journey. We want you to continue using SPF.

[00:44:27]That's dummy. Let me tell you, it works, my friend. It truly does work, right?

[00:44:31]And if you share it with us, this and more might be yours to go with home.

[00:44:38][laughter] >> They're amazing.

[00:44:42]>> Absolutely. Yeah.

[00:44:43]>> Thank you so much, Randall. Thank you.

[00:44:46]>> Thank you so much for having me. Thank you for having us.

[00:44:50]>> And I think if we continue talking about it, it's easier, right? It's easier to know there solutions out there. It's not you don't have to be victimized, so to speak, right?

[00:45:04]>> Right. Very different from lemon and turmeric, >> right? Um but we want to hear from you cuz the giveaways will be giving away userin products all through this month, next month as well. Share with us your story, right? and you'll get to get to go home with one of your hunters.

[00:45:24][laughter] Yeah. And we'll see you on the next podcast.