SKINCARE 101

The number one rule to look your best is having beautiful skin, and the mojo of oh-so-gorgeous skin lies in the commitment towards exceptional skincare.

Our skin is complex and so understanding what is best for us calls for vigilance. We had a chat with Dr. Chytra who with her knowledge and expertise helped us in making the task a little simpler.

WHAT AFFECTS OUR SKIN THE MOST?

We have certainly been told by many, even by our mothers to keep it natural and to avoid cosmetics as they tend to be our skin’s “biggest enemy”. But is that the case? Regular usage of cosmetics affects our skin for the better, as it gives the skin an added protection against radiation. However one should understand the reason of using a certain cosmetic and take advice from an expert to avoid using those which are non-essential.

So where does the problem lie really? Unprotected exposure to sun can do a lot more damage than you think. One should avoid direct sun exposure from 11a.m. to 4p.m. and use sunscreen of SPF 30 at least twice during the day. One can even take an oral supplement like SkinBrite capsule that enhances your skin’s immunity to the sun and can prevent tanning.

Your skin’s another foe is stress .It gives rise to hormonal imbalance and in turn can lead to acne, scars, pigmentation, dull skin and pre-mature ageing with lines and wrinkles. End result is a haggard appearance.

COMMON SKIN PROBLEMS AND THEIR CURES

I’m sure many understand the pain of common skin problems we deal with daily like acne, pigmentation, sagging skin, poor facial dimensions and spot fat reduction. The specific solution to these, depending on the skin colour and type, ranges from chemical peels, Jet Peel, Revlite photo-facials to botox and fillers in order to restore facial shape. Cool sculpting is another technique trending for permanent fat reduction. Acne, on the other hand is treated based on the cause – identifying whether it is bacterial, hormonal or stress related. Treatment then involves oral and topical medication with peels, acne buster lasers and Revlite laser.

Over the years we have witnessed a transition in people from them getting paranoid at even the thought of getting a skin service, to them opting for cosmetic surgeries. This, is because with the increase in awareness, people are becoming more conscious of their appearance and are open to spending on taking care of themselves. The trend is though towards non-surgical treatments. Earlier the maximum a person would go for was a facial once in a while. Now however, people are open to maintaining their skin once every 6 weeks and get treatments like medi-facials or photo facials.

Some quick tips on keeping our skin young and fresh:

• Hydrate, Hydrate & Hydrate.
• Your best anti-ageing cream is your sunscreen.
• Take oral antioxidants to boost your skin’s immunity.
• Have a medi-facial once in 6 weeks to restore skin balance.
• If your skin is very dry, use Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm to restore skin hydration.

In the plethora of products being sold for your skin, you need to be sure you’re picking up the right one. There is difference between skincare products that are OTC (over the counter) and prescriptive. The prescriptive range has active ingredients which can get absorbed by the skin and work on living skin, whereas OTC mainly works on the outside and hence can’t correct or rectify skin conditions fully.

Things to bear in mind, next time you go shopping:

• Use a pH balanced cleanser and not soap.
• Read the labels on the back, check for active ingredients.
• For young skin, you need hydration so look for Hyaluronic acid.
• Older skin needs moisturisation, so look for Tocopherol and Coenzyme Q10.
• For anti-ageing, look for retinol and AHA enriched products.

The best thing to do, however, is to consult a dermatologist and after a 3D test, get a prescription.

Dr Chytra V Anand, a renowned cosmetic dermatologist