DR. WALLACE: My best friend at school has been hanging out with me during the summer because we spend a lot of time hanging out at the lake in our town with some of the families that like to camp there.

I had never really spent a full day with her before, and I've noticed that every hour or two she feels she has to run to a camp bathroom to wash her face! She told me that if she doesn't wash her face several times a day she will definitely get pimples and have a massive breakout.

I asked a few other people, and they disagreed with this. Should I be washing my face every hour and a half like this girl does? — It Seems Excessive, via email

IT SEEMS EXCESSIVE: My take is that you're quite perceptive! Washing one's face up to a dozen times a day seems quite excessive to me.

Over the years, I've worked with many dermatologists, and the synthesis of all that I have read, heard, and compiled is that it's best to wash one's face twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Lukewarm water and a mild soap are truly all that's needed to complete this process successfully. Your friend likely believes that pimples and blackheads are caused by specs of dirt that become embedded in the skin, but this is not true. Acne is caused by hormones, a person's biological makeup, stress and at times even medications.

It's great that your friend has such good facial hygiene, but she is likely washing away too many of the essential oils that exist on her face and, therefore doing herself more harm than good.

AM I LIMITED DUE TO MY SIZE?

DR. WALLACE: I'm interested in a career and journalism. In particular, I would love to work in a newsroom and someday be a field reporter or even an occasional person who appears on screen at a local television program.

I've been getting good grades in school, and I've picked out a great college for my major. I'm doing everything I can to prepare myself for the opportunities I wish to pursue.

I look normal enough, and I believe I have a pleasant enough countenance to fit into any television program, sideline reporting or even doing impromptu interviews with the public as they walk by in public places. I'm sure we've all seen these types of interviews before!

But what worries me is my height! Even though I'm a girl who is 17 years old, I'm not very tall and probably won't grow much taller at this point. I'm just barely considered to be 5 feet tall, but if I were to be honest with you in bare feet, I think my exact measurement is only 4 feet and 11 1/2 inches.

Since you are a journalist, I thought I would ask you if you felt my lack of height may be a limiting factor for appearing on camera someday. I truly prefer to do that, but if it's not going to be an avenue, I could always consider becoming a writer, investigative journalist or producer for television or media programs. What do you think? — I Dream of Being on the Air, via email

I DREAM OF BEING ON THE AIR: I absolutely do not feel your lack of height is a limiting factor for you in any way. Continue to pursue your dream with vigor, enthusiasm and diligence.

Who you are, how you appear visually when you are at your best from your shoulders on up and what type of personality and communication skills you possess are by far the most important factors.

I can further tell you that you're entering journalism at a wonderful time. Never before have there been so many diverse media outlets available to individuals pursuing a career in this dynamic field. Given your passion and your dream, I feel your chances for success are quite high, so stay the course, study hard and do your best.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Nathan Dumlao at Unsplash