My wife has really clogged pores, pock-marks, rough facial skin.

My wife is such an awesome person. She spends most of her time taking care of other people and has not been taking care of her skin as she should. She doesn't feel comfortable going to a spa to get her face peeled, and I don't even know if that would be effective at this point.

Years of neglect have left her skin very clogged. She has developed pock-marks all over her cheeks.

Can you give me the name of an over the counter product that works great in such situations? Is there a treatmen she could get?  It may be hard for me to convince her to go to a dermatologist.  What should she do to get back her smooth, supple skin?  When I first met her 7 years ago it was very clear and smooth.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think she'd be well off seeing an esthetician, if not a dermatologist. Facials and exfoliation can be done in that kind of setting.  Products containing glycolic acid may be of some help--these need no prescription.  

As for pock-marks, those don't come from neglect but rather from some prior skin disease.  A dermatologist would be best to consult with about that.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[sunflower21]

I just started Proactiv which has worked really well very quickly. www.proactiv.com  It's more expensive then what you buy in the drugstore, but much less irritating and drying. If her skin is badly broken out, she should see a dermatologist.