Michele Probst is founder of Menaji and a recognized expert in men's skin care.

Last month (May 2003), we asked our readers to submit their skin care questions for Michele to answer in the June 2003 update to our site. The response, as they say, was overwhelming.

Unfortunately, we couldn't print all of the questions Michele received. And, since many topics appeared more than once, we decided to select a representative sampling that addresses the issues most commonly raised.

And now, without further ado...

Question: What creams or lotions would you suggest for razor bumps? Right now, I use a sterilized needle to remove the ingrown hairs under my neck and chin.

Answer: I always recommend products that are as natural as possible. Menaji has a vitamin-enriched hydrator with milk protein, which will ease the inflammation of minor blemishes. If you suffer from stubborn razor bumps, you may want to check into something that's a bit more aggressive, like Baxter's razor bump repair.

Question: Are there any over-the-counter treatments that reduce acne scarring? I have some pretty severe scars on my forehead. My dermatologist prescribes Vitamin A creams, but they have not been very helpful — and I'm not interested in any type of surgical treatment. I recently went to a spa, where they said my skin was too sensitive for microdermabrasion, and instead recommended two vitamin facial treatments per week for six weeks. I'm not too sure if these treatments will help. They seem very pricey. What do you think?

Answer: Wow! You've done some homework! Have a look at a cream called Mederma. Dermatologists recommend it for minor scarring, but I'm not sure how well it'll work with deep scars. As far as I know, the only treatment for severe acne scarring is surgery. Have you thought of laser resurfacing? If nothing else works, you can always try covering the scars with Menaji blemish concealer and anti-shine powder — at least, until a permanent solution comes along.

Question: My girlfriend works at the Clinique counter at a major department store. She brings me swag all the time, both from the men's and women's lines. She says there is no difference. What is your opinion? Also, if I'm using skin care, even if it is not the best thing for my skin type, isn't that better than nothing? Please don't misunderstand; I'm not cheap, and I have bought a lot of men's skin care products in the past. But this connection for freebies is hard to pass up. I just want an honest opinion.

Answer: Your girlfriend is right about that particular line. They just changed the packaging. Men's skin is thicker than women's, and their pores are larger, which means male skin is typically oilier. Women's products are designed to be absorbed by women's skin, which is drier and thinner with finer pores. I may be biased, but I believe men should use products that were designed exclusively for them. If I didn't believe it, I wouldn't have created Menaji.

Question: I'm not sure, but I think I have combination skin. After washing, my face feels dry and tight. As the day progresses, my skin becomes oily and very shiny looking. I can wipe my face with a paper towel and literally see my fingerprints when I take it away. Is that combination skin? Which products will alleviate my problem and give me a more balanced looking mug?

Answer: I don't think you have combination skin. It sounds more like you have oily skin and the cleanser you're using is drying out your face. Whenever that happens, your skin compensates by producing more oil. First, switch soaps to something less drying. You should also add a deep-pore cleansing component to your daily skin care regimen. My polishing scrub has jojoba in it, so it'll exfoliate without drying. An antioxidant masque is a good way to deep-clean pores without producing more oil. Plus, my glycolic toner and anti-shine powder will help (a lot) with the shine.

Question: I have very dark circles around my eyes from wearing strong prescription glasses as a youth. Now that I wear contacts, the circles are more obvious. What do you recommend to diminish them?

Answer: There isn't anything that you can do to completely get rid of dark circles. However, you can slow down and even reverse the effects a bit. Here's how you do it. Stick some of my 911 eye gel in the fridge. When it gets cold, dab a small amount under each eye. It feels like a mini ice pack and it really works to reduce puffy eyes and dark circles. After about a week's worth of daily use (typically, first thing in the morning), you should see a noticeable improvement. You'll still have some darkness, but you can cover it with Camo Magnum blemish concealer when you go out in public.

Question: I'm 17 years old and just started using a moisturizer with alpha hydroxy acids in it. I use the moisturizer after I shave and tone. I want to prevent wrinkles now, because I read that if you start early you can look foward to smooth skin later in life. Is this advisable? Should I still wear SPF 15 while using AHAs?

Answer: You should always wear sunscreen, when you can. Prolonged exposure to the sun can severely damage skin, and part of that damage shows as wrinkles. However, I wouldn't use an AHA product on my skin after shaving. If you want to get the full effect of the product, apply it at night before you go to sleep.