Each week, Ying Chu, the Marie Claire Beauty Director, answers questions exclusively from the MSN audience on all of your beauty dilemmas. (Have an issue you want help with? Send in a question today or talk about it on our Beauty and Fashion message board.) Read on for this week's hot topic:
Q: I’m getting married in three months. I have chosen a strapless gown, but I am self-conscious about my arms and elbows. I have always been plagued by small bumps on the back of my arms, which look red and blotchy from a distance. And lotion doesn't seem to help the extremely dry skin on my elbows. (I once saw a woman in a movie rub a lemon on her elbows. Does that work?!) How can I get gorgeous arms? Please help, I want to look my best on my big day!
A: What you're describing is actually a very common skin condition called keratosis pilaris (KP for short), which affects nearly 50 percent of the population. While it is a chronic condition, there is a simple solution for controlling it: alphahydroxy acid (AHA), a chemical exfoliant that smooths away the bumps. Dove Age Pro Age Beauty Body Lotion, MD Forté Hand and Body Cream, and Fresh Sugar Acai Age-Delay Body Cream all contain it and, if applied twice a day, you should start noticing a difference in a couple of weeks. As for the lemons, I say skip 'em. That trick is best for lightening dark patches on elbows, but if you're using AHAs, you probably won't need it.
See all previous Ask Ying questions
About Ying Chu:
Ying Chu was named beauty director of the U.S. edition of Marie Claire, a joint venture between Hearst Magazines and Marie Claire Album, in May 2007. She oversees all aspects of the beauty editorial, including idea generating, writing, and editing. Prior to joining Marie Claire, Chu was the beauty director at Seventeen.
Chu began her career as an intern at Flare, Canada's best-selling fashion and beauty magazine. At Flare, she quickly ascended the ranks, starting as an assistant beauty editor upon graduation from Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, then moving up to beauty editor and beauty director within three years.
In 2004 Chu moved to New York City to be the founding editorial beauty director for the launch of the urban multi-cultural fashion and beauty magazine Suede. In March 2005 she took the position of beauty editor at Vogue, where she stayed until she went to Seventeen.
Chu was born in Shanghai and raised in Vancouver, B.C. She currently resides in New York City
