Q: If you are asthmatic, remember to pack an inhaler. For allergies, pack an EpiPen. Pack any other pills or required medication. It is also helpful to add in "just in case" medicine, like Advil or Midol. You may need to send a letter or medication to the school nurse if you have any medical problems. Schools usually have water fountains, but it is good to have water available throughout the day. Choose a bottle that is leak-proof and needs to be individually opened and closed. A regular water bottle may leak onto supplies. Avoid juice in boxes or bottles that may leak and stain supplies. Younger children will typically have snack time, but having a snack is a good idea for any age. Pack a healthy snack like apples or bananas to renew energy throughout the day. Crackers make good snacks as well. Put the snack in a Ziploc bag, and place it in a side compartment. You might want to pack lunch as well, but lunch boxes or bags may not fit in an already full backpack. This might include deodorant, hand sanitizer, a brush or comb, sanitary items for females, hair ties, or lotion. This could also include a cosmetic bag for makeup. Put these items in a small toiletry bag, and place them in a medium-sized pocket separate from important school supplies, in case a liquid item leaks. A cosmetic bag may be separate. Do not bring more than you know you will make use of. Some items like hand sanitizer, deodorant, and feminine items are important to have, but it is probably not necessary to bring all of your makeup. Extra clothing is a great idea for very small children that may have accidents or get very dirty during recess. While it may not be necessary for older children and adults, it is a good idea to have an extra set of clothing if taking part in gym class. Put the clothes (pants, shirt, and underwear) in a plastic bag, and put it in any free compartment of the backpack. Older students may have a locker to place their backpack and/or supplies into. A combination lock will be necessary for locker use. Though not necessary, it is comforting to pack a few decorations for a locker. These items might include pictures, art prints, or a charm that you enjoy. Younger children often have cubbies, and it may be comforting to pack a toy to keep in to keep inside of it. Once it is packed, make sure the backpack zips up easily without any strain. The backpack will probably be full, but it should not be so full that the fabric looks like it will rip. Walk around with the backpack once it is packed. Your back should not be hurting from the weight of the backpack. Put it in a safe and easy-to-find spot to grab for school.
A: Remember any necessary medication. Bring a water bottle. Pack snacks. Add personal hygiene products. Bring a change of clothes. Pack locker supplies and decorative items. Try the backpack out.

Q: The exfoliant will lift dead skin cells, and over time it may fade the dark areas around your mouth. You can use a chemical or a physical exfoliant. Chemical exfoliants can be better for treating dark areas because they do not stimulate the skin like a physical exfoliant, which can exacerbate the problem. You can find chemical exfoliants and facial scrubs in drugstores, grocery stores, and bath-and-body stores. Read reviews of a product before you buy it. Some scrubs may be sold to treat acne and other skin conditions; these scrubs often use acids and chemicals to deep-clean your skin. You can find moisturizing, skin-brightening pigment products in drugstores and beauty-product stores. Find a cream that contains Vitamin C, kojic acid (extracted from certain fungi species), arbutin (taken from the bearberry plant), azelaic acid (found in wheat, barley, and rye), licorice extract, niacinamide, or grapeseed extract: these ingredients help to block the enzyme tyrosinase, which your skin cells need to produce melanin. Spread a thin layer of the cream around your mouth. Follow the instructions, and don't use these skin-lightening products for more than three weeks. Kojic acid is a popular treatment, but it can irritate sensitive skin. Be careful. If you have celiac disease or are gluten intolerant, avoid using azelaic acid, which comes from wheat. If your spots won't go away, your dermatologist may prescribe a drug-based cream like hydroquinone. Hydroquinone limits your pigment-making cells and slows your skin's production of tyrosinase. Dark spots tend to vanish quickly with lower pigment production. Animal studies have linked hydroquinone with cancer, but those animals were fed and injected with the drug. Most human treatments stop at topical application, and no research suggests toxicity in humans. Many dermatologists deny the cancer link. Most patients show the first signs of skin lightening within a few days, and most of the effects act within six weeks. After the treatment, you can switch to an over-the-counter cream to keep up the brighter pigment. Lasers like Fraxel tend to be the most lasting and effective way to treat discolorations that are close to the surface of the skin. However, laser pigment work is not always permanent. The effect will depend upon your genetics, your UV exposure, and your skincare habits. Lasers also tend to be more expensive than other treatments. Your dermatologist may suggest these peels to reach and treat damaged cells deep within your skin. Bear in mind that these treatments are not permanent. Depending on your genetic predisposition to dark spotsand how much UV exposure you getyour spots may return as soon as a few weeks or as late as a few years. Stay out of the sun, wear sunscreen when you do go outdoors, and treat your dark spots early to make sure that your treatment lasts longer.
A:
Exfoliate daily with a mild facial exfoliant. Use an over-the-counter skin-brightening cream. Consider using a prescription cream. Try a laser treatment. Try a glycolic or salicylic acid peel.