Skin Tips for the Festive Season

With Christmas and New Year around the corner it is imperative you look your very best. Here are a few skin tips by Dr. Jamuna Pai that will get you through the festive season looking fresh and re-energized.

a)      Dark circles tend to get aggravated due to late nights and irregular eating habits. Try and sleep 7-8 hours and apply creams that contain vitamin C, kojic acid, tranexamic acid etc.

b)      Do not wax the hair on your face, chest or back especially if you know you are having hormonal imbalance. Whole body bleach if done with care may be a better idea. This will give you the comfort of looking ‘hair-free’ and the skin all over the body will glow and look smoother. 

c)      Get your facials and clean-ups done from reliable and renowned clinics.

d)      A very important aspect of skin care is proper make-up removal. Clogged pores caused by stale make-up can lead to oily skin and occasional break outs. Understandably, late nights may cause you to go to bed without removing your make-up once in a while. But it is extremely important to follow a strict cleansing routine on a regular basis. For the eyes, an oil- based eye make-up remover used on a cotton swab is the most effective and it is a fool proof way to ensure that there isn’t an unsightly residue left over the next morning. For the face, steer clear of using soap and use a cleanser instead.

e)      Limit intake of sweet and fried food as they cause dullness and even breakouts besides gaining that unwanted weight.

f)       Increased alcohol consumption during parties causes dehydration of skin leading to a tired and more aged skin. Make sure you consume at least 2-3 liters of water daily.

g)      If on a diet during this period, make sure you drink lots of vegetable juices to keep the skin nourished.
h)   Never forget to moisturise your skin in the day and use a nourishing night serum/cream at night before going to bed.

i)      Last but not the least, your regular exercise is the only sure way to keep not only your skin glowing, but you in a great shape too.

Hello, botoxed bride !

Hello, Botoxed Brides !!

Featured in Delhi Times - Dec 28 2011

Botox brides are trending and how. They are a new breed of multitasking individuals – qualified, mature, career-oriented, experienced, and, on the other side of 30. As the wedding day has always been the most important day for a bride and going all out to look her best is a given, the need to go under the scalpel to look so, is no longer a luxury, but a necessity almost, according to some dermatologists.

ON THE RISE

Dermatologist Dr Jamuna Pai says, “Women are getting married at an older age and the demand for botox has escalated, because they want to look perfect.” Dr Meenakshi Agrawal, dermatologist agrees that the ‘botox bride’ is the latest trend, “especially because women are focusing on career and development and are getting married post 30.” Cosmetologist Dr Jaishree Manchanda says, “Botox is one of the most popular treatments used during pre-wedding preparation. It gives a nice, firm look and also disables the overactive sweat glands.” Dr Rekha Gonsalves, who specializes in cosmetology, hair treatment and weight management explains, “Botox is a natural protein derived from bacteria clostridium botulinum. Its cosmetic effect relaxes wrinkles, frown lines between eyebrows, crow’s feet and horizontal forehead lines. Results vary and can last for up to eight months, creating a smoothed, rejuvenated and youthful skin for the bride.” But botox has many other uses apart from these. An embarrassing problem of excessive sweating in the underarm area or on the palms can be easily resolved with it. Dr Pai says that when taken around the eyebrow area, it is possible to gain a shapely pair or arched brows even. “A slender neck with no loose bands of flesh is also now a possibility with the Nefertiti Neck procedure using botox. Defined jaw lines with no excess facial fat, sensual lips and high cheek bones are all the rage today. The jaw can be contoured with botox and full cheek bones and a perfect pout can be created using fillers,” explains Dr Pai. THERE’S MORE...From botox to de-tanning to liposuction, brides have a variety of alternative treatments to choose from. Dr Pai says, “Botox is not the bride’s only option any longer. From the cheeks to the tips and the neck, there are multiple options. The new-age hyaluronic acid dermal filler is a magical invention that can change your face completely.

The material is absolutely safe and is found in the ground substance of our skin, eye chamber and in the joints.” She explains that since there is a negligible downtime, filler treatments are usually seen as a last minute procedure and can be taken just two to three weeks before the Dday. The perfect lips, high cheek bones, symmetrical chin can all be achieved relatively painlessly assure cosmetologists. Skin brightening and polishing by using chemical peels, dermabrasion and medi-facials are also very popular and can make a bride’s skin look fresh and young. “Skin tightening using the thermage is a great way to gain taut skin on the face and body,” says Dr Pai.

Stressful and demanding lifestyles tend to show up as fine lines and a disturbingly tired look on the would be bride’s faces. With the wide range of non-invasive cosmetic procedures easily available with dermatologists, ironing out facial wrinkles, plumping up the skin and taking a decade off, is easy. To maintain the perfect look, however, it is also important to pay attention to one’s diet. Dr Agarwal cautions, “A personalised diet plan and a specific skincare regime suggested by qualified doctors needs to be followed in order to maintain the effect.”

5 skincare mistakes you may be committing

Did you know that massaging your face in a circular motion could add visible years to your skin? It moves excess fluid around and stretches the skin, massaging in lines, making you look older. Sheetal Anand gets experts to help you identify and eliminate such mistakes from your carefully inculcated cleansing, toning, and moisturising routine to help you achieve maximum results

1. Cleansing is supposed to remove dirt and grime, nothing more
Normally in a regular salon, heavy cream cleansers are used, which eventually spoil the pH of the skin. One needs to be careful about the kind of cleanser being used. It should not be too strong as all it needs to do is cleanse your face of daily grime. Dr Narmada Matang, dermatologist, Kaya Skin Clinic, says, "One of the most common mistakes is washing the face too often as this robs the skin of its essential oils. Using strong fruit acids directly on the skin, like papain from papaya and citric acid from lemon or orange, are also a no-no, as it can lead to dryness, peeling, inflammation and pigmentation."

2. Get your skin massaged, not kneaded
Dr Jaishree Sharad, International Cosmetic Dermatologist, warns, "Improper face massage using inappropriate products, may lead to folliculitis or hair follicle infection. An outbreak of whiteheads, blackheads and pus pimples can also occur, as massage stimulates oil-secreting sebaceous glands." Inappropriate massaging leads to breaking of capillaries and veins, causing soreness or redness. Plus, the skin may feel uneasy, stretched and taut. Also, while steaming, one should prefer ozone to regular steam as it is not only anti-bacterial but also improves circulation.

3. It's not a floor scrub, it's a face scrub
Kaneeka Vijay Kumar, Director, Jeevaa Skin Care and K Kosmetix, says, "While scrubbing, if the strokes are rough or the scrub is not evenly granulated, the epidermis could develop tears leading to rash, brazing and pigmentation. Light aqueous based scrubs or exfoliators, which are not only gentle on the surface of the skin, but also maintain the pH of the skin, are recommended. "What one needs to remember is that scrubs should not be used more than once a week or applied with too much pressure. Remember, excess exfoliation causes sensitivity, rash and acne. This is especially true during a skin treatment.

4. There are no quick fixes for acne
Dr Jamuna Pai, Cosmetologist, Blush Clinics Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai identifies common mistakes that could lead to serious trouble. "Firstly, never resort to extraction and pinching of active acne. It can get aggravated and infected. Even in a beauty clinic, it has to be under strict guidance of a medical practitioner. Secondly, never try waxing to eliminate facial hair. You may have a sudden breakout of acne, which means big trouble. Third, do not use topical creams, with active ingredients, for quick-fix cures. These, when overused, excessively dry your skin and cause redness. Four, do not try remedies blindly just because they are on the net or in a magazine. Remember, everyone's skincare needs are different. What works for one may not work for the other."

5. Follow simple dos to keep your skin hydrated
Make moisturising your dictum. Ensure your skin is not under-hydrated by regular application of moisturiser and by consuming adequate fluids. This is especially important for those engaged in professions where workplace temperatures are constantly fluctuating. Also make sure you avoid very hot showers as this can lead to dehydration.

"Applying sunscreen should be your mandatory routine. Make sure you use it in sufficient quantity and reapply every 3 hours. Research indicates that regardless of the SPF, sunscreens can protect for no more than 3 hours. Also, keep in mind, that sunscreens protect your skin from harmful UV rays but do nothing to prevent tanning," adds Dr Jamuna.

Featured in : FEMINA

April 09, 2012

Online Link : http://beauty.femina.in/featured/5-skin-care-mistakes-you-may-be-committing/