Choosing the right hairbrush

Round or flat, comb or brush - which hairbrush is right for you?

Oval hairbrush – This hairbrush is used primarily for smoothening the hair. If you have a fringe, use this hairbrush to style it.

Cushioned hairbrush – Oval and rectangular hairbrushes often come with cushioned bases. These are great for people with long hair as the cushioning helps prevent the hair from being stretched or broken.

Ceramic round hairbrush – Ever wondered how beauty salons manage to give your hair volume and bounce that’s nearly impossible to replicate at home? The secret is the ceramic round brush that can works wonderfully well for styling and volumising hair.

Wooden round hairbrush – This hairbrush is pretty multi-functional and can work on multiple hair textures. Avoid using it while your hair is dropping wet though, and allow it to be nearly dry before you style it with this brush. In general, round hairbrushes are the best for styling straight hair.

Nylon hairbrush – Nylon hairbrushes come in many types and their efficacy depends mostly on their bristles. Stiffer bristles that are closed placed together give you better control over your hair. Bristles that are set far apart are better for detangling and light brushing.

Wide-toothed comb – If you’ve got curly hair, one way to make the best of your curls and avoid frizz is to use a wide-toothed comb to untangle it while it’s wet and then just let it dry. Many curly haired women prefer to not even use the wide-tooth comb and only use their fingers to comb through their hair.

Hairbrushes with metal bristles – These are best avoided as they are too inflexible to use on human hair.

Photographs via sxc.hu

You may also like:

• Dr Rashmi Shetty’s Summer Skin & Hair Care Tips
• The basics of a facial
• Video - Holiday hair styling tips

Find a hairbrush that’s right for you is a post from: mDhil

Q. I am 30 years old woman suffering from a severe acne problem. I have consulted a dermatologist, but in vain. The treatment prescribed is effective till I take the medicines and follow other regimen but I am looking for a permanent solution.

- Seema

A. Acne is an inflammatory disorder of pilosebaceous unit. You need to apply some of topical creams to get acne under control. If you are having hormonal problem like polycystic ovarian disease, then please see a gynecologist. Ask your dermatologist for starting Isotretinoin if you are not planning a pregnancy as Isotretinoin can damage the fetus.

Write into webinfo@mdhil.com with your queries

Dermatology Q&A: Permanent solution to get rid of acne is a post from: mDhil

A skin infection is an infection of the skin, including hair, scalp, and nails. The infection can be caused by various bacteria, fungi or viruses affecting any of the three separate layers of skin.

Bacterial skin infections

Generally, thousands of bacterial species live on the skin without entering. These bacteria create colonies on the skin and are considered as regular and healthy, but over exposing the skin to pollution, natural trauma, pre-existing skin illnesses, and poor hygiene, can result in the bacteria entering deeper layers of the skin and cause infections.

Different types of bacterial skin infections and treatment

Boils are bacterial infection of hair follicles, which results in painful swollen area on the skin caused by an accumulation of pus and dead tissue. Cluster of boils together is called carbuncle.

Carbuncles are large, painful, round bumps under the skin, which are filled with pus. They mostly occur on the neck, face and buttocks. They collect pus around the hair of the infected area. Fever may occur when infection is deep. These may be treated with warm compresses to promote natural drainage of pus, as well as with antibiotic cream and tablets.

Cellulitis is characterised by redness, warmth, swelling and tenderness. They mostly occur on the legs and arms. It occurs when bacteria enter through cracks in skin like abrasions, cuts, burns, insect bites, etc.

Fungal skin infections

Fungi can cause many kinds of skin infections on almost any part of the skin. Some typical skin infections caused by fungi are athlete’s foot, jock itch, and yeast infections. Typical symptoms include constant itching sensation, flaking of the skin, and eruptions on the skin. Without proper care they can become extremely hard to clear up.

Another very common fungal illness is ringworm, which cause typical enlarging raised red rings over body.  Ringworm usually infects the region of the groin where it is slightly wet, though it can infect almost all parts of the body.

Treatment for skin infections

There are many different skin infections, which can vary from mild to severe. Most of the infections are treated by locally applying anti-microbial creams but when infections are deep then medicines are also given.

Preventing skin infections

• Personal hygiene is very important, take a bath regularly and do not share towels.
• Wear loose fitting clothes to allow your skin to breathe.
• Cover and treat any trauma to the skin, including, cuts, scrapes, burns, new tattoo etc..
• Do not touch any infection. Wash your hands immediately if you do touch an infection.
• Fungi like to live in damp and dark places. So keep your room light and dry to prevent fungi settlements.
• Avoid sharing clothing, sports equipment, towels, or sheets to prevent infection.
• Eat healthy food, as diet can play a huge role in keeping your skin healthy.

Photograph via sxc.hu

You may also like:

• Treating stressed-out skin
• Skin cancer: Squamous-cell carcinoma
• Erysipelas, a skin infection

Skin Infection: Causes, treatment and prevention is a post from: mDhil

Dr Rashmi Shetty

Also known as the ‘Bollywood Doctor’, Dr Rashmi Shetty is a dermatologist with over 12 years of experience in the field of beauty and aesthetics. With high-profile clients ranging from film and television stars, to corporate bigwigs, she knows a thing or two about hair and skincare.

Dr Shetty is also an expert advisor with the Parachute Advansed Knowledge Centre and was kind enough to spend time with us at mDhil and give us some great tips on using coconut oil to keep your skin and hair hydrated.

Dr Rashmi Shetty’s summer skin care advice

• It’s most important to keep your skin clean in the summer. Shower twice a day, making sure you keep the folds and creases of your skin clean.

• Use a moisturiser with an SPF of 20 and keep your skin protected.

• You may have noticed stars or pluses on some of your beauty products. These refer to the ‘Tan Protection Index’ of the product. Using a product with 2 – 3 stars or pluses should be enough to give you the right amount of protection.

• There’s a difference between hydration and moisture and Dr Shetty lies to emphasis on the ‘hydration’ part of skincare.
  In the winter, we rub oils into our skin after our shower. In the summer, make this a pre-bath practice:
  - Start with a gentle application of coconut oil all over your face and body, before your bath.
  - A few minutes before your shower should be fine. If you have the luxury of time, apply it half an hour before your shower.
  - Coconut oil has a very light chain in its chemical ingredients. Which is why, when you shower, only the top coat gets washed away and the right amount penetrates your skin to keep it hydrated.
  - Dr Shetty even recommends it for the face, as a form of hydration and anti-aging tool.
  - Remember, if you have acne or suffer from an extremely oily skin, you must be careful. Don’t apply it in case you have acne on your face right now.

After sun-care protection

• Often, in spite of applying sunscreen before going out, our skin becomes red and irritable after prolonged exposure.  When you come back, you must wash your face with plenty of cold water to help to soothe and calm the skin. Follow this up with calamine lotion or a mud-pack.

Lots more skincare tips for the summer, right here.

Dr Rashmi Shetty’s summer hair care advice

• We always think of the sun being bad for the skin, but it can also be very bad for the hair. Sun exposure to the hair can have an adverse affect on the hair. For instance, when people with coloured hair go to the beach and are out in the sun, their colour changes and fades. This is proof of how harsh the UV rays of the sun can be, even on our hair.

• If you have coloured hair, use specially formulated hair and colour protecting shampoos.

• Coconut oil provides great protection for your hair. You can apply it before shampooing and then wash and condition your hair as usual.

• If you like to leave apply oil after shampooing, consider using a lighter version of the coconut oil. This works like a thin coat of protection.

• In the summer, hair swells due to humidity and with coconut oil your cuticles (the outermost layer of the hair shaft) remain well protected.

• If you’re in north India, which has more of a dry heat, you have to be mindful of the fact that sun is harsher and the dry wind or loo that blows can really damage your hair. The damage really shows in the rough ends of the hair. As protection, you must oil your hair well, from root to tip.

• The good doctor advocates massages. It tingles your scalp, improves circulation and gives you an overall feeling of wellness and rejuvenation. However, it is best to avoid massages if you have dandruff or some other skin infection.

Dr Rashmi Shetty holds an MBBS degree from Mysore University, FRSH London, Diploma in Cosmetology, Chester, United Kingdom. She currently practices in Mumbai and has in the past trained under famed plastic surgeon, Dr KS Shekhar.

Photograph courtesy of Parachute Advansed Knowledge Centre

You may also like:

• Top 10 summer skin care tips
• Video – Home tips for younger looking skin
• Nina Manuel’s health and beauty secrets

Dr Rashmi Shetty’s Summer Skin & Hair Care Tips is a post from: mDhil

A film tackles vitiligo 

The Marathi film, “Nital,” was a sincere attempt to portray the inner turmoil in the life of those with vitiligo and those who have to deal with vitiligo-affected individuals. Literally, the word Nital means crystal clear and transparent, which reflects the inner beauty of an individual irrespective of color of skin.

The film, directed by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar, and produced by Dr. Maya Tulpule (who has vitiligo herself) takes a hard-hitting look at the attitude of society towards people having leukoderma and vitiligo at large. The movie has won many accolades and has bagged the prestigious “V Shantaram Award” in nine different categories.

The main protagonist of the movie, Dr Neeraja, a confident ophthalmic surgeon played by Devika Daftardar, was living with vitiligo since early childhood and was working in the city of Bangalore. Since childhood, she had gone through inner turmoil and had been discriminated by the society. Her own family prohibited her from attending her elder sister’s marriage ceremony as she was considered ‘inauspicious’ for the newlywed couple and also because a sister who has vitiligo might not be acceptable to the groom’s family. Ultimately, she comes to term with herself and accepts the skin blemishes as a part of her individuality. However, society was not so kind and humane to her and she was made to suffer humiliation at every front of life. In spite of her good surgical skills, an ill-informed father of a patient prohibits Dr. Neeraja from operating on his daughter’s eye, though the alternative is to risk his daughter losing vision.

Her friend and colleague Dr. Ananya, played by real-life Dr Shekhar Kulkarni, works with her as an anaesthetist in the same hospital. Both develop affection and mutual respect for each other at the work place. Neeraja visits Dr Ananya’s elite and high-class family, where every member of the family is well educated and well placed in society. The family is taken aback at the possibility of Neeraja becoming their family member as Ananya’s wife. In the movie, Neeraja’s interaction with every member of the family is emotional and has been picturised in an exquisitely nuanced manner. Neeraja’s narration about her experience and humiliation due to the skin blemishes to the youngsters of the family is heart-rending and brings a lump in the throat. The unbiased acceptance of Neeraja by the youngsters of Ananya’s family is heartwarming. Ananya is on the horns of a dilemma swinging pendulously between the stereotypical preferences of the family and his own sensibility. However, at the end Ananya is able to release himself from the shackles of orthodox societal thinking and decides to make her his life partner driven sheerly by Neeraja’s confidence about herself.

Living with vitiligo in the real world

However, the picture is not so rosy for millions of individuals living with vitiligo who are psychologically depressed and suffer from humiliation and social stigmatisation. Many studies have repeatedly proven that vitiligo patients suffer from various psychological disorders like depression and domain-like function, emotion etc. and have low quality of life indices. Youngsters are more likely to have clinical depression and face criticism and nasty comments from peers.

Dealing with the social stigma attached to vitiligo

The visual media is a powerful tool to create awareness among general masses. Dermatologists from Maharashtra, and especially those catering to predominantly rural areas, should screen this film in their waiting lobby at least once a week to create awareness among the general population and dispel the common misbeliefs and misunderstanding about vitiligo.

The film should be dubbed in other regional languages and in Hindi to disseminate the message in the film and reduce the stigma behind this condition. Dermatologists, being in an advantageous position to understand the science and emotions behind this condition, should contribute their mite in this effort by forming a vitiligo support group in their city. The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, Leprologists (IADVL) has already taken a lead role in this effort by marking 19 ^th May as “Vitiligo Day,” thereby stimulating and channelizing efforts in this direction. The IADVL, an apex body of Dermatologists in the country, is probably well placed to show solidarity behind the vitiligo-affected persons by financing or arranging finance through well wishers and pharmaceutical industry for such activities.

Written by Dr Bhushan Madke

This article was first published in ijdvl.com - Madke B, Nayak C, Khopkar U. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2012;78:409-10.

Image via commons.wikipedia.org

You may also like:

• Vitiligo: an innocent disorder, not a disease
• Dr Juvita Rasquinha answers basic questions on skincare
• Five habits of people with “lucky” skin

Vitiligo – The Emotional Impact is a post from: mDhil

What is cyst?

Cyst is defined as “a collection of fluid in a sac lined by epithelium or endothelium”.  Simply put, it is a small bag filled with fluid in the skin of the body. The cyst can be a “true cyst” as well as “false cyst”.True cyst is lined by a layer of cells (epithelium or endothelium) while a false cyst is just the collection of fluid as a result of exudation or degeneration, and it is not lined by epithelium or endothelium. Moreover, true cyst may be lined by connective tissue with tiny blood vessels running in it (granulation tissue). It usually evolves because of underlying infection.

How and where does a dermoid cyst develop?

Dermoid cysts are most commonly formed on the patients’ face, in the skull, on the back and sometimes in the ovaries. They occur when skin structures get trapped within skin during the foetal development. They may also contain other skin structures like sweat glands, hair, teeth and nerves.

How does a dermoid cyst present itself?

Dermoid cyst presents as a round, smooth and movable swelling. It yields to the pressure of the finger and does not slip away as in lipoma. It means when one applies a pressure to the swelling of dermoid cyst, the finger creates a dip in the swelling; the finger does not slip over it.

How can one confirm the swelling of dermoid cyst?

• Dermoid swelling gives positive fluctuation test but negative translucency test. It means when one presses the swelling from one side, the pressure is felt on the opposite side of the swelling. Negative translucency test means it does not allow light to pass through it because of the turbidity of the fluid contained in it.
• It is free from the skin and the deeper structures (not fixed to the skin).
• Dermoid cyst in the scalp may be found fully outside the skull bones, outside the skull but attached to the duramater (one of the three protective layers that cover the brain and spinal cord.) through defect in the skull, partially outside the skull and partly inside, connected with a stalk or fully intracranial lying between the skull and the duramater.

How can dermoid cysts be treated?

Treatment of dermoid cysts is surgical excision. After the surgical excision, antibiotics and analgesics (pain-killers) are advised to the patients.

Photograph by rockbadger via Creative Commons

Dermoid cysts: Causes, symptoms and treatment is a post from: mDhil

Q.  I’m suffering from eczema. It appears on my feet and gets worse when it gets hot in my city. Wearing of shoes is also a problem when my feet  become inflamed. My local dermatologist has put me on a protein free diet, but it doesn’t seem to help. Please advice.

Warda

A. It can be eczema, but I would like to know whether discomfort increases after wear shoes. In some cases, footwear can cause allergy and can give rise to eczema. I would ask you to undergo a patch testing with a standard series and foot wear series to know whether you have any allergies.

Write into webinfo@mdhil.com with your fitness related queries

Dermatology Q&A: What should someone do if they are suffering from eczema is a post from: mDhil

Want a scar free skin? Here's how!

What is a scar?

A scar is the body’s natural way of healing and replacing lost or damaged skin. Any burn, injury or other trauma can result in a scar.

 Types of scars:

Depending on the cause, scars are broadly divided into two categories: Acne scars and post-traumatic scars (caused by trauma such as accident, injury, burn etc.).

Depending on the shape and depth, scars are classified into 3 different types:

Box type scars – they have a base and height; ice-pick scars – they are pointy, and rolling scars – they don’t have a clear demarcated border.

Cosmetic procedures for scar Management:

There are various methods for management of scars, which have become very popular and effective with time. Dermatologist, Dr Juvita Rasquinha gives us some insight into them.

Microdermabrasion

A small procedure, microdermabrasion, involves a gentle sandblasting. Dermatologist, Dr Rasquinha explains that, “Most often, aluminium-oxide crystals are used to gently sandblast the skin. It helps remove the top layer of the skin and dead skin cells, leaving behind a more even and smooth textured skin.” Since this procedure doesn’t have a resting period, one can carry on with their lives as usual, immediately after its done. However, sunscreen is a must before stepping out into the sun.

This method won’t heal your scars in one setting, and will require repeated sessions depending on the depth of the scar.

Subcision

A minor surgical procedure, subcision, also called as subcutaneous incision-less surgery, is an effective methods to treat deep scars and even wrinkles, using a needle.

“In this procedure, an anaesthetic cream is applied on the scarred area at least 45 minutes prior to the treatment. After which, a 5 cc needle is inserted at an angle of 45 degree,” says Dr Rasquinha.

This technique involves breaking the fibrotic strands around or at the base of the scars. The scar’s depression is lifted by the releasing action of the procedure, as well as from connective tissue that forms during the course of normal wound healing. Dr Rasquinha warns that in this case, the complete healing will take around 20 to 25 days. During this time, one experiences swelling in the area of treatment. However, the external swelling and redness subsides in two days.

Dr Rasquinha says that post-treatment care is necessary for proper healing. “Stay away from the sun, do not use hot water on your treated skin and try to stay away from hot temperature, as sweating too must be avoided, for at least two days after the treatment.” For best results, Dr Rasquinha says, “One will need about 3 to 4 sessions,”

Dermaroller

Dr Rasquinha recommends this treatment for those with many scars.  Like in the case of subcision, anaesthetic cream is applied on the area, followed by moving the dermaroller (a roller with fine needles) on the affected area.

Here, the skin is pierced very lightly (often compared to acupuncture) without causing any damage to the skin. This, triggers nerve-stimulus, promoting regeneration of skin around the area where the puncture occurred.

In cases of severe scarring, Dr Rasquinha advises using both subcision and the dermaroller for effective results.

Laser treatment

Laser is a popular method of scar treatment. Dr Rasquinha says “Here, fractional or CO2 lasers are used to reduce appearance of scars.” For effective results, she says, “Multiple sessions will be needed.”

Fillers

“These are a temporary, but provide an instant result,” says Dr Rasquinha.  It is a one-time procedure. But the patient may have to repeat this after a year, as it’s effect diminishes with time.

Tips from the dermatologist:

Dr Rasquinha warns that in case of acne scars, “Prompt acne management should be the first step rather than jumping to scar management. And even if you get a scar it has to be treated with care.”

In case of keloid or hypertrophic scars, caused by injury, she says, “Intralesional steroid injections can be used. Dosage and frequency has to be decided by a dermatologist.”

 Photograph via sxc.hu

Also read: 

• Always wear sunscreen
• Adult acne: Why you get it and how to treat it
• Basic questions on skincare answered
• Skincare at night Dos and Donts

How to manage scars is a post from: mDhil

Five skincare tips to beat the summer 

Exfoliate

Exfoliate, and do it more often in the summers. More than the rest of the year, during summers there is an acceleration of dead skin cell accumulation. If you don’t get rid of them, your skin will look dull and dry. No matter how much lotion or anything else you use, you won’t have glowing skin if you do not exfoliate. Choose a light scrub for your face and body. Or make one at home using some oatmeal and milk or gram flour and yoghurt.

Stay hydrated

All the heat and sweating can leave your body dehydrated and your skin dry. So drinking water and liquids at regular intervals becomes a must for soft, moisturised skin. It’s best to stick to water, green tea and fresh fruit juices (sans sugar), buttermilk and coconut water and the kind. Stay away from aerated drinks, they only do further damage to your skin.

Sun protection

Try and stay indoors between peak sun time between 11 am and 3pm. Also, don’t ever step out without a generous application of your sunscreen. Dermatologist Juvitha Rasquinha stresses on sun screen with a higher SPF: “In the summer season, in addition to an increase in temperature, there in an increase in UV ray intensity that bears down upon the skin. Use of a sunscreen with SPF 30 preferably with a moisturiser is strongly recommended to prevent skin damage from the harsh sun in the summer months.” Also, cover your head, wear sunglasses… they make a difference.

Cool your body

Summer is the time for heat boils and other such notorious skin conditions. A lot of the time, this has to do with body heat. Stock up on natural coolants like tender coconut water, buttermilk, or even barley water to help bring down the heat within your body. And you’ll watch those heat boils disappear.

Want to remove tan? These might help:

Make a paste of one almond, 5 drops of lemon and a teaspoon of milk. Apply on face and leave it on overnight and wash with warm water the next morning. This helps even out complexion and will give you a healthy summer glow! You could also try coconut milk. Leave this too on all night. If you breakout often, then rub on tomato juice all over your face and leave for ten minutes. Do this a few times during the week to get rid of tan.

Photograph via sxc.hu

Also read:

• Sunstroke prevention and prevalence
• Always wear sunscreen
• Adult acne: Why you get it and how to treat it

Five Things to Keep your Skin Healthy this summer is a post from: mDhil

Hot and humid temperature can trigger prickly heat

Summer should only be about ice creams, cool drinks, and long lazy days. In India however, summer months can be extremely dry and hot in some places and sultry in others and heat wave conditions are common. And all the excessive sweating caused by the heat not only drains your energy but also causes a highly irritating problem of the skin — commonly known as prickly heat.

What is prickly heat?

Prickly heat or heat rashes are small red bumps on the skin that can cause severe itching and general discomfort. Though it is not harmful and is not considered a skin disease, it still calls for attention as they can be pretty annoying in regular life.

Prickly heat is likely to be found in the highest concentration in covered areas where there is a lot of friction, such as the neck, chest, and body folds.

What causes prickly heat?

Prickly heat, essentially results from excessive sweating and accumulation of sweat on the pores of the skin in different parts of the body. If the sweat is not rubbed off immediately it tends to clog the pores of the skin, which eventually takes the form of prickly heat or heat rashes. Human sweat, due to its high salt content is an extremely potent skin irritant. It mostly affects the back and other covered areas of the body where the sweat does not dry easily.

How to prevent prickly heat

Following these simple tips can help you prevent prickly heat:

• Do not let perspiration accumulate on your skin for long.
• Wear cool natural fabrics, avoid polyesters and nylon.
• On hot and humid days, avoid wearing jewellery, especially artificial jewellery, as that can cause the skin to break out.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.
• Use a hat or umbrella while going out.
• Apply some sun-screen before stepping out in the sun.
• Drink water.
• Even when you are indoors, try to maintain a comfortable temperature with fans or air-conditioning.

Home remedies for prickly heat:

• Caladryl – is a soothing anti septic lotion for skin eruptions and itching.
• Sandalwood paste has cooling and anti-inflammatory qualities. The pleasant smell makes it a refreshing emollient to heal skin eruptions.
• Aloe Vera is a wonder cure for all skin ailments from dryness to rash, prickly heat and even burns. Cleopatra is known to have used it to keep her skin looking young.
• Lavender oil is a fragrant oil used in aromatherapy. It has antiseptic and anti-fungal qualities and reduces skin irritations, swelling and redness.
• Talcum powders, especially those made to combat prickly heat, can be very effective in soothing the skin and preventing further eruptions.

Photograph via sxc.hu

You may also like:

Top 10 skincare tips for the summer

Dr Rashmi Shetty’s summer skin and hair tips 

Top 10 naturally cooling foods

Avoid Prickly Heat This Summer is a post from: mDhil

Nourish your skin

The first step to getting a facial

Getting a facial can be a relaxing affair. The first step is to choose a facial based on your skin’s needs, type and, of course, the price.

Always insist on a pre-facial consultation. This will allow you to discuss your skin issues with your aesthetician. Your aesthetician can examine your skin to determine its type and make a better decision on what techniques and products to use. You must also tell your aesthetician about products you’re allergic to.

During the consultation, ask questions without any hesitation.  Manual extraction of blackheads can be quite painful, if you don’t want that, speak to your aesthetician about other possible alternatives. You might have tried some products that you know don’t suit your skin. Perhaps you’ve had facials that used those products before, and you broke out soon after. Discuss this with her.

Once this is done, just relax and let the facial works its magic.

Remember, it’s your skin and money, do not be afraid to ask for what you want.

A little about different types of facials

Facials are tailored for different kinds of skin, and to treat specific skin conditions such as acne, wrinkles and dryness.

Facials can involve hi-tech procedures that use electric stimulation to tighten facial muscles and even kill bacteria causing acne. They can also involve pure hand techniques, involving massages that use essential oils and hand-made pastes.

A simple facial involves, cleansing the skin, a steam to open pores, a massage to stimulate blood circulation and a face pack to finally close the pores opened.

How often should one get a facial

Some facials are safe to get once a week or once in 10 days, these are the kind that rely heavily on massage and are meant to aid relaxation.

However, most experts’ suggest a facial every 15 days or once in a month, depending on the needs of your skin. Make sure to speak to your aesthetician to choose the kind of facial that suits your skin type, and also how frequently you must get this treatment.

Benefits of a facial

• If you’re blessed with more than decent skin, then the goal of your facial should simply be to soothe and pamper your skin. Once the treatment is over, most people report feeling relaxed.
• For most people, facials are a way of improving their skin’s appearance and texture. Facials help by exfoliating the accumulated dead skin cells, thereby unclogging pores and revealing a fresh layer of skin that’s smoother and more radiant.
• Facials are known to help fix common skin conditions. There are special formulations that help control the oil secretion by sebaceous glands. One can choose from an array of peels and exfoliation methods that help lighten minor scars and marks on your facial skin caused by acne. These can also help treat sun damaged skin. There a host of treatments that help tighten and firm up your facial skin, delaying ageing.

Risks of a facial

• There is a possibility of one developing an allergic reaction to a product, leading to breakouts.
• If a facial is not properly done or is too harsh for your skin, again there is a chance of you breaking out.
• There’s also a risk of getting burned by chemical peels, steamers and such if your aesthetician doesn’t take enough care.
• If the place isn’t properly sanitised you are at risk of infections.

Photograph via sxc.hu

Also read:

• Always wear sunscreen
• Adult acne: Why you get it and how to treat it
• Basic questions on skincare answered
• Skincare at night Dos and Donts

The basics of a facial is a post from: mDhil

Easy steps to perfect skin.

Five habits people with good skin share:

Habit #1: They never go to bed with makeup on

After a long, tiring night, it may be the last thing you’d want to do – wash your face. But by now we all know that leaving makeup on can be disastrous for your skin. It clogs your skin’s pores, trapping the oil, leading to dead cell accumulation and even breakouts. Worse, leaving eye makeup on can result in you waking up with itchy, red eyes. So no matter how tired you are, walk up to the sink and wash it off.

We suggest you pour some baby oil onto a cotton ball and remove eye-makeup and then just wash your face with a good face-wash. This is less cumbersome in comparison to using a cleansing lotion. Do this only on nights that you are very tired. Otherwise go the elaborate way, as it removes any trace of leftover makeup.

Habit #2: They wear sunscreen everyday

The sun’s harmful rays are known to be a major cause for skin damage; even causing early ageing. So this is definitely one thing you mustn’t skip before heading out during the day. Experts recommend using a sunscreen with SPF 30 at least in combination with a moisturiser. Even oily skin needs external moisture application. But choose one that isn’t too heavy.

Habit #3: They keep their hands off their faces

Many people can’t seem to keep their hands off their faces. This is one nasty habit. By doing this, you’re transferring all the bacteria from your dirty hands — that have touched all things under the sun — onto your face. And now we know why your skin has been breaking out.

Keep your hands strictly off your face. Don’t touch it unnecessarily, when you have to use clean hands.

Habit #4: They get their beauty sleep

When one doesn’t get adequate zzzz time, it shows on the skin. All those lucky women who have glowing, radiant skin never skimp on their sleep. Sleep time is when your skin repairs itself, if you take that away from it – your skin is likely to look haggard.

So get at least 8 hours of sleep a day. Unless you’re doing that you are missing out on the last burst of growth hormone that is released during the last stage of sleep. This growth hormone is known to play a key role in carrying blood to the skin’s surface, which oxygenates the skin and improves its overall appearance.

Habit #5: They don’t overdo it

This one is of utmost import. The best skincare regimes are those that are done in balance. By this we mean, not overdoing them in your hunt for perfect skin. Over cleansing, over moisturising and over medicating the skin upsets the balance. For example, you’re having breakouts, and so you try using a host of products that control oil secretion. When you do this, you end up over-drying your skin, and this puts the sebaceous glands in your skin on alert, and they begin to produce more oil, resulting in more breakouts.

So wash your face two times a day. Moisturise it and apply sunscreen in the morning. At night, make sure you remove all makeup and apply a night cream that suits you. Get facials once a month or perhaps every 15 days if you think your skin needs one. But don not over do any skincare regime.

Photograph via sxc.hu

Also read: 

• Sunstroke prevention and prevalence
• Always wear sunscreen
• Adult acne: Why you get it and how to treat it
• Basic questions on skincare answered
• Skincare at night Dos and Donts

Five habits people with lucky skin share is a post from: mDhil

Say hello to clear skin!

You’re not a teenager, but still have acne…

Thought you had left acne behind in college? Think again, acne can come back to haunt you in adulthood. Statistics reveal that acne comes back to haunt 65% of women and 35% of men in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

Also read our article Acne: Dealing with those annoying pimples

Causes for adult acne

• Hormonal imbalance: Sensitivity or over production of testosterone, or an imbalance in the female hormone oestrogen during perimenopause and menopause act as triggers for acne. Another condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) leads to hormonal fluctuations, of which acne is a by-product. Oral contraceptive pills can also trigger acne in adults.
• Stress, emotional disturbances and pollution can also cause a flare-up.
• Weather: Acne is rampant during winter. One theory is that the creams we use to hydrate dry skin trigger acne because of excess oil. Summer too can be tricky — as the heat causes sweating — which means more oil clogs the pores. Also, sunscreen used liberally during summer may contain oil or equivalent substances.
• Skin type: Oily skin produces excess sebum a fluid present in sebaceous glands of our skin. Hence oily skin or combination skin on the t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) is more prone to acne. Take the tissue test to know your skin type.
• Cosmetics: Most people use their bathing bar on the face too. This may be too harsh for the delicate skin on the face. Changing beauty products at random is an absolute NO. When you find certain products that go well with your skin and do not cause breakouts, stick to them instead of buying whatever catches your fancy. Avoid oil-based products, as they aggravate the problem. Other substances to avoid are sodium lauryl sulphate, laureth -4 and D and C red dyes.
• Genetics: No matter how much care you take of your face, your flare ups are linked to your genes. If your parents suffered from this problem chances are you won’t be able to wish it away. But we can definitely take solace from the fact that acne is treatable if not curable.

Signs and symptoms of adult acne

Most adults end up with acne at some point in time. Apart from the face it can also appears on the back, buttocks, arms and underarms.

Acne may present itself as elevated pink spots called pimples. If the opening of the pore is clogged it is called a whitehead, but if it is deep-seated with dirt and debris, and has a wide opening on the skin it’s a blackhead.

Diagnosing adult acne

The diagnosis of acne is fairly simple due to its characteristic appearance. Sometimes acne scars may be visible in long standing cases.

Treatment for adult acne

Acne can be effectively treated using topical medication, oral antibiotics or both.

• Topical medication includes benzoyl peroxide, retinoic acid and antibiotic ointments.
  Benzoyl peroxide is available in strengths of 2.5 – 5%. Generally, a lesser strength is prescribed as it may cause skin reddening and irritation.
  Retinoic acid acts as a peeling agent and is prescribed at night as it may cause irritation if skin is exposed to the sun after application.
• Topical antibiotics like clindamycin are prescribed in some cases.
• Oral drugs: Antibiotics like tetracycline or dapsone are prescribed in more severe cases.

Complications seen in adult acne:

The longer you live with acne without getting it treated, the more chances you have of the acne leaving permanent scars. Hence, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist promptly and follow a morning and nighttime skincare regimen daily to treat it and prevent it from getting worse.

If acne is disrupting your life, seek help from a counsellor or guide. The social stigma that acne causes should not be suffered in silence. Pursue hobbies, meet friends and relatives and don’t worry about it.

Adult acne prevention

Follow these tips and tricks for a clear complexion.

• Take off make-up thoroughly: As soon as you’re home make it a habit to remove all make-up thoroughly. And to make the job easier, don’t put on lots of it in the first place.
• Fine tune your cleansing technique: Use a mild cleanser like Cetaphil and then a toner. Now apply your topical medication. Cleansing should be done twice a day.
• Leave it alone: Never squeeze pimple and whiteheads. Pimples means it is an inflammation and touching it may cause the infection to spread. The only exception is when the pimple has a yellow dot in the centre. That indicates pus inside and gently squeezing it will bring out the pus and enable it to heal faster. So in that case, squeeze the puss out till a little blood flows out.
• Apply medication the right way: When applying an ointment don’t just apply it on the acne spot. Go half an inch around it as this prevents more pimples.
• Don’t be too aggressive: Slathering on too many products at a time is detrimental. Use only those tubes prescribed by your doctor.

Written by Dr Nisreen Nakhoda, General Physician

You may also like:

Bipasha Basu – mDhil Diva

Dealing with pimples

Basic questions on skincare answered

Photograph via sxc.hu

Adult acne: Why you get it, How to treat it is a post from: mDhil

Say cheers to healthy, glowing skin!

How to care for your skin in summer

Summer is here in full force. Bangalore-based dermatologist Dr Juvita Rasquinha says, “With the change in weather is becomes essential to change your skin care regimen to help your skin adapt to the changing conditions.”

The first thing Dr Rasquinha stresses on is sun screen with a higher SPF: “In the summer season, in addition to an increase in temperature, there in an increase in UV ray intensity that bears down upon the skin. Use of a sunscreen with SPF 30 preferably with a moisturiser is strongly recommended to prevent skin damage from the harsh sun in the summer months.”

Next, your skin needs a moisturiser during the summers too. Put away your thick winter body lotions and grab a light lotion that’s best for summers. Makes sure you apply a moisturiser right after your bath, as semi-wet skin absorbs moisture better.

Do not forget to exfoliate your skin. Nearly a million dead cells accumulating every day. If you don’t get rid of them, they’ll sit on your skin, making it look dull and tired. We are not talking about just your face, but your whole body. So exfoliate at least 2 to 3 times a week.

How to remove post-party makeup 

Dr Rasquinha points out that while makeup can enhance one’s appearance, it is essential to let your skin breathe and keep it clean. Removing makeup from one’s skin, especially after a party or before going to bed is vital to skin repair and rejuvenation.

“While many make-up removal products are available, a cotton ball and moisturizer is also quite effective in getting the job done,” she suggests.

A good way to remove makeup is to start with eye-makeup removal. Take some eye-makeup remover on a cotton ball, gently swipe across your eye lashes to remove mascara then do the same to remove kajal or eye liner. Considering eye-make up is expensive, you could substitute it will baby oil.

This can be followed up with makeup removal from the face and neck. Apply cleansing lotion using long strokes, all across your face and neck. Take a wet cotton wool, and remove using long strokes. After which, gently rinse your face with lukewarm water to rid the skin of any removal product, recommends Dr Rasquinha.

Dr Rasquinha stresses that after removing makeup, it is essential to hydrate the skin, preferably with a revitalising moisturiser or a toner. Explaining the benefits of a moisturiser and toner, Dr Rasquinha says, “Using a moisturiser and toner reduces open pores and provides much-needed hydration that keeps your skin soft and youthful.”

How to deal with or handle a pimple burst at home

On Oprah’s show, Dr Oz demonstrated how to properly pop a pimple. First, do not squeeze the tissue around it, he stressed. He recommended using a sterilised needle to pierce through the white of the pimple, and letting all the pus until a little blood comes out.

However, it’s best to not attempt bursting a pimple as it carries risk of infection and scarring.

“If a pimple burst occurs naturally or inadvertently, gently apply an anti-bacterial cleanser on the affected area and avoid running your nails or fingers often around the area to avoid further infection. If you suffer from chronic acne or breakouts, consult your dermatologist for further treatment,” advises Dr Rasquinha.

With inputs from Dr Juvita Rasquinha, Dermatologist

Photograph via sxc.hu

Also read:

• Sunstroke prevention and prevalence
• Always wear sunscreen
• Adult acne: Why you get it and how to treat it

Basic questions on skincare answered is a post from: mDhil

What you eat shows on your skin!

Eat these foods for radiant-looking skin.

Salmon to prevent premature ageing 

A healthy skin desires essential fatty acids and most kinds of sea food have them in more or less amounts. As a premier source of omega-3 fatty acids, cold-water, oily fishes are laden with anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids. And salmon is an excellent example of that. People who ate diets rich in such foods have shown late appearance of skin wrinkling, as omega-3 fatty acids prevents the skin from drying out, keeping it supple and elastic for a longer time.

If you don’t like fish, opt for fish oil capsules, at least.

Green tea for acne-free skin 

This wonder drink is full of antioxidants, which helps reduce inflammation and protect cell membranes. Green tea, considerably reduces damage caused by overexposure to ultraviolet light and sunburns.

Sipping on green tea can also help in fighting acne as it lowers production of an acne producing hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Brewing up three to five cups of green tea every day is recommended to reap the full benefits for your skin.

Berries for protection against the harmful UV rays 

Deeply coloured berries such as blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrant, raspberries, cranberries, strawberries and the likes are good food for your skin. Berries help the body construct collagen which makes the skin smooth and supple. Brimming with antioxidant, berries are effective in neutralising damaging free radicals (a leading cause of premature skin aging and cell damage) generated in the skin by excessive exposure to UV rays.

Brown rice for well-hydrated skin

Brown is definitely better than white rice. The fiber-packed brown rice and other whole grains work like a charm in getting blemish free and firm skin. Whole grains contain ceramides, the lipid molecules which help your skin maintain its moisture. Naturally occurring ceramides get incorporated into the outer layer of skin and help in maintaining its hydration.

Eggs to help repair skin cells 

Crack open some eggs. Protein helps repair cells that have suffered free radical damage. Eggs, a complete source of protein, also contain biotin, an essential vitamin that protects against dry skin. Protein in eggs helps repair cells that have suffered free radical damage. Eggs, being a complete source of protein also score high on nutrients like biotin, an essential vitamin that protects against skin drying. Egg-white protein provides all of the twenty-two amino acids in balanced proportion with essential amino acids. The good news is egg-white protein contains no cholesterol!

Photographs via sxc.hu

You may also like:

• Weekend Top Ten: Skincare tips for monsoon
• Treating stressed out skin
• Top 5 tips for glowing skin

Five foods that can make your skin glow is a post from: mDhil

Does your makeup have a shelf life?

Makeup hygiene is the best way to keep unpleasant skin infections away. No amount of cleansing, toning and moisturising will help keeping your skin clear if you don’t practice makeup hygiene.

Tips for makeup hygiene 

Don’t leave your makeup container open

Ensure you close your makeup containers tightly after using them. This way, dust and germs from the surroundings won’t get into your cosmetics and they will remain in a good condition for longer. Cosmetics do contain certain preservatives to inhibit growth of bacteria, but if you don’t store them correctly, germs are likely to make it their home.

Always, store your makeup and cosmetics in room temperature — best — inside a cupboard. Putting them someplace too hot, where there is direct sunlight would mean providing germs a safe haven to thrive. Anything above 29 degree Celsius becomes dangerous for makeup storage.

Do not add water or saliva to your makeup!

Do not add water to makeup. Water can wash off the effects of any preservatives added to the makeup, making it more vulnerable to bacteria growth. And there’s nothing worse you can do than add saliva. Saliva can open a gateway for germs. It can spread bacteria from your mouth (where it might be harmless) to your eyes, which are very sensitive.

Do not share your makeup with anybody, and most importantly with strangers. 

Sharing makeup with anybody can spread germs, which is why, it’s a big NO.

Do not share makeup with strangers, and by this we are referring to trying on the latest lipstick or eye-pencil at a store’s makeup counter. If you must try something out, insist on a disposable applicator, read-up on cleaning procedures (check if they follow them) or request for a new tester product, if necessary.

Toss out your makeup at regular intervals:  

Most cosmetics don’t mention an expiry date. And the problem is that there are some makeup products that can expire faster than normal if not stored properly. All this means you have to decide when it’s time to toss your makeup products.

Since eyes constitute one of the most sensitive areas of the body susceptible to disease, you must be extra careful about how long you use your mascara, eyeliner or cream-based kajal. The closed container creates a dark environment, which can be a breeding ground for germs.

It’s best to throw out your eye makeup after three months. If you have exposed it to drastic temperature changes, or it smells odd throw it out sooner. If you have had an eye infection, then no matter how short a period of time you’ve had those eye makeup products, replace them all immediately.

Coming to liquid products like liquid concealer, foundation, creamy-formula eye shadow and blush, throw them out after three months.

When it comes to powder-based products, which contain a little water, you can keep them for up to two years. These include, powder eye shadow, eye pencil, lip liner, compact powder, blush and bronze etc. However, if the colour of the cosmetic changes or it starts to smell, throw it out immediately.

Once every week or two, clean your makeup brushes 

Makeup brushes can be a fertile breeding ground for germs. First, make sure you wipe them with a tissue after use. And every week or two, clean them with soap and water, this is how:

Take a mug of warm water, and mix in a mild cleanser. You can also use your shampoo or body wash to do this.  Place your makeup brush in. Leave for a couple of minutes, then gently twirl it around. Then dip it in an antiseptic solution. Rinse under running water, and allow it to air dry. Make sure you wash your brushes individually.

Wash your makeup sponges every week and replace them at regular intervals 

Makeup sponges with their large surface area can be a safe haven for bacteria growth. When your sponge starts to wear out due to regular washing, it’s time for you to replace it. Also, after a while no amount of washing is going to leave your sponge sparkling clean… so then chuck it out and buy a new one.  For washing, follow the same procedure mentioned above.

Photographs via sxc.hu

You may also like:

• Weekend Top Ten: Skincare tips for monsoon
• Treating stressed out skin
• Top 5 tips for glowing skin

How to know when your beauty product expires is a post from: mDhil

Precautions to take before you start playing Holi

Prevention is always better than cure  – even when it comes to enjoying the colourful festival of Holi! Take these precautions before you set out to play, so you don’t end up causing long-term damage to your hair and skin.

• Buy only natural or organic colours that are water-soluble. Avoid glitter and paint and metallic colours, as they can be very harmful.
• Oil your hair well before you start playing. Coconut oil and olive oil are good options to protect your hair from harsh colours.
• Also apply some oil behind your ears, ear lobes and nails as these are points were the colour really tends to settle.
• You can further protect your nails by covering them with nail polish.
• Similarly, put lip balm or lipstick on your lips to protect those as well.
• Use a toner to close the pores on your face before you head out. This way, you reduce the chances of colour going in too deep.
• Don’t forget to wear waterproof sunscreen before you step out for a day in the sun!
• Wear clothes that cover most of your body. These clothes should be in a lightweight, easy-to-dry material. Avoid heavy fabrics like denim that don’t dry easily.
• It’s a good idea to wear a thick scarf or bandana to cover your hair.
• Don’t wear lenses when you go out to play! While Holi colours by themselves cause irritability, lenses have a tendency to absorb the colour, thereby making things worse. Wear glasses and keep wiping them clean from time to time.

After you’re done playing Holi

While the precautions you have taken before playing will help you immensely, there are a few points you must keep in mind even after you’re done.

• Holi can be exhausting! But remember to clean up before you take a nap or start relaxing. The longer you let the colour stay, the harder it’ll be to remove.
• Remember to dust off the dry colour before you hit the shower.
• Use a mild cleanser, not a harsh detergent to remove the colour.
• Clean your face using cotton dabbed in moisturising cream or oil. It’s a myth that kerosene or nail polish remover help remove colour. Avoid those at any cost.
• If a mild cleanser doesn’t quite do the job, try using a scrub. An apricot scrub or even a homemade scrub should suffice. But excessive scrubbing or rubbing may damage your skin and can cause irritation.
• Wash your hair using a mild shampoo, but don’t overuse the shampoo. If the colour doesn’t come off your scalp in one try, just let it stay on and shampoo again in a day or two.
• All that colour and shampoo will tend to dry out your scalp. Definitely use a conditioner after.
• Remember it may take few days to get rid of whole colour, don’t try to remove the colour from whole body at the first go.

Reviewed by Dr.Bhushan Madke, Dermatologist  

Photograph 1 by FaceMePLS (originally posted to Flickr as Holi Feest 2008) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Photograph 2, courtesy of Parachute Coconut Oil

You may also like:

Skin care at night – dos and don’ts

Foods that alleviate dry skin

How to get rid of puffy eyes – video

Healthy hair and skin this Holi is a post from: mDhil

For soft, beautiful skin!

Social conditioning emphasises on smooth, hairless skin, which makes hair anywhere on the body except the scalp, a taboo. While this is mostly the case for women, there is an increasing pressure on men too to go the same route.

Common Hair Removal Techniques

Shaving:

Shaving is the cheapest hair removal method. There are different types of razors available in the market today. You can choose between razors with moisturising strips or twin blades for easier shaving. If you’d like you could also get an electric shaver. Although shaving is the quickest hair removal method, the hair growth afterwards is known to be thicker and coarse. Additionally, hair grows back faster when you shave. It is definitely not advisable for women to shave their facial hair.

How to shave:

• It’s better to shave body hair after a hot shower, as it helps soften the hair, making shaving easier.
• Apply shaving foam or gel, as it helps the razor glide over the skin easily.
• Shave in the direction of hair growth. Shaving against hair growth can cause redness, rashes, and ingrown hair, which are all painful.
• Finish it off with a moisturiser. For information on shaving for men, click here.

Hair removal creams/lotions:

Hair removal creams are quite popular with women. These creams contain chemicals that disrupt disulphide bonds (chemical bonds that hold the skin and hair cells together).  However, one must exercise caution while using these hair removal creams or lotions, because if they are left on for too long they can melt away skin cells. Also, always do a patch test on a small skin area at least 48 hours before you use this method of hair removal. This method shouldn’t be used to remove facial hair.

How to use a hair removal cream:

• Apply to the area with unwanted hair and leave it on for 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the rate of hair growth.
• During this time, the chemical dissolves the hair, resulting in a jelly like substance. This must be washed or wiped after the appropriate time.

Waxing:

Waxing is an effective means of removing large amounts of hair at one time. It is a painful method alright, but is extremely popular with women. This method can be used to remove hair on the arms, legs, the bikini line and even the face. Waxing removes hair from the roots, therefore,  after waxing, hair takes a while to grow back, and is also finer in texture. The biggest drawback of waxing is that one will need to wait a while for the hair to grow a considerable bit before waxing again.

How to wax:

• Heat the wax, and spread it on the skin in the direction of hair growth.
• Use a cloth or waxing strip to pull off the hair in the opposite direction of the hair growth. This pulls hair out of the follicles.
• Clean skin with a wet cloth to remove any waxy residue and follow it up with a moisturiser.

Sugaring:

This method is similar to waxing. Sugaring involves application of warm hair removal solution with a palette knife in the direction of hair growth. A cotton strip is used to cover the solution and is pulled away in the opposite direction. Hair takes about 6-8 weeks to grow back and the new hair are fine and soft as in the case of waxing. 

Electrolysis:

This is a permanent hair removal method, and will require multiple sittings. An expensive technique, electrolysis must be done at a reputed place, under a qualified cosmetologist. This method requires inserting a small needle into the hair follicle and passing a low-charge electrical current. This burns the root, preventing it from growing back. 

After an electrolysis session, slight swelling, scarring and redness might appear. This usually disappears in a few days. If it lasts for more than a week, consult your cosmetologist immediately.

Laser hair removal:

This too is an expensive, permanent hair removal method, which must be done by a qualified cosmetologist. Here, a black activating lotion is evenly applied on the area to facilitate absorption of laser energy by the hair follicles. This method is best suited for people with thick body hair. As in the case of electrolysis, laser hair removal too will require multiple sittings.

Photograph via sxc.hu

You may also like:

• Painful menstrual cramps
• Hysterectomy
• Mammogram – the breast exam

Hair removal for women is a post from: mDhil

Remove eye makeup before going to bed.

What your skin needs at night?

At night, while you sleep, your skin goes into rest and rejuvenation mode. In the absence of environmental stresses like the harsh sun , it’s easier for your skin to heal and repair at night time. So give it all you can to make that happen.

Five must dos at night for healthy, beautiful skin:

• Do use a mild cleansing lotion to remove the day’s makeup, bacteria dirt and grime. Pay special attention to your eyes, if you use eye makeup.
• Do apply an alcohol-free toner to remove and residual dirt and enable better hydration and nourishment of the skin.
• Do moisturise your skin. If you are above 30, used a nighttime specific anti-aging cream/serum on your face, neck, chest and hands to nourish and repair the skin. If you are below 30, use a good nighttime moisturiser depending on your skin type. Make sure to moisturise your face, necks, hands, and feet.
• Do apply a light eye cream to provide nourishment to your under eye skin. Remember, the skin under your eyes is very delicate, and needs special care.
• Do pay attention to your lips. Apply a light lip balm before you go to bed. In fact, keep some by your bed-side. Reapply in the morning, before you get off bed.

You have seen dos, here are 5 don’ts for healthy, beautiful skin:

• Don’t leave makeup on overnight no matter how exhausted you are.
• Don’t pull and rub your skin. Your skin undergoes enough stress during the day, so don’t further damage it by pulling and rubbing it harshly.
• Don’t ignore your neck, chest, hands and feet. They are equally important. In fact, your hands and necks show the first signs of ageing. Look for anti-ageing ingredients like vitamin A and vitamin C in your products.
• Don’t sporadically take care of your skin. Your skin needs TLC every single day. More so at night when it repairs damage.
• Don’t over-dry your skin. Many women make this mistake, especially if confronted with pimples. When your skin is stripped of its essential oils, it increases sebum production to make up for the loss. This is what clogs your pores, causing pimples. A gentle cleanser, toner and moisturiser can help prevent this additional damage.

Get your beauty rest!

The body depends on sleep for everything it does, thus sleep is very essential for good skin. Skin cells are one of the most rapidly rejuvenating cells in the body. If you take away adequate rest, the cells will suffer and it will show. At least a minimum 6 hours of sleep is a must daily for healthy skin. If not, you’ll be left with dull, lifeless skin.

Also check out our article: Six Things to Ensure a Good Night’s Sleep

Photograph via sxc.hu

Skincare at night: Dos and Don’ts is a post from: mDhil

Include high-fibre fruits and veggies in your diet to aid toxin removal

Skin problems, digestive problems, pains and aches could all mean that you have accumulated toxins in your body. In that case, a good detox programme is all you need to get back on track.

Body detoxification has been in practice for centuries across many cultures around the world, including Ayurvedic, Tibetan and Chinese medicine systems advocating it. By flushing out toxins from your body and feeding it healthy nutrients – detoxification – you can boost your immunity, aid weight loss, and ease digestive problems and skin ailments.

What is detoxification?

The body eliminates toxins through the liver, kidneys, lymph, lungs, kidneys and skin. Our diet, lifestyle and many other factors can clog the system, preventing it from filtering out toxins, thereby effecting body function. Detoxification means cleaning the body from inside. It mainly involves clearing impurities from the blood. It boosts liver function, thereby eliminating impurities from the blood. It also enables more efficient toxin filtration in other organs.

A detox programme aids the body’s cleaning process by:

• Giving body organs rest through fasting
• Boosting liver function to drive toxins out of the body
• Stimulating toxin removal in other organs like intestines, kidneys and skin
• Improving blood circulation
• Body regeneration through intake of healthy nutrients.

When to detoxify?

Experts recommend detoxification at least once a year for all adults. There is a heavy load of toxins in the environment today; therefore experts recommend detoxification at least once a year. A whole system cleanse is good for everyone. However, pregnant women, nursing mothers, kids and those suffering from serious diseases like cancer and tuberculosis are advised against it.

Some symptoms that could suggest you could use a detoxification programme include:

• Fatigue
• Irritated or tired skin
• Allergies and frequent infections
• Menstrual difficulties
• Digestive problems
• Mental confusion

A simple detoxification programme:

• Start with food: Eat plenty of fibre. Substitue white rice with unpolished rice or brown rice; include fresh fruits and veggies in your diet (if you can source organically-grown varieties, even better!). Radish, cabbage, spirulina are known to be good detoxifying foods — include them in your diet.
• Reap benefits from green tea: Green tea is known to be an excellent cleanser. Sip on at least 4 cups of green tea a day. It will help flush out toxins from the liver and give you better health.
• Vitamin-C please: Take vitamin-C everyday. It helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that eliminates toxins. Squeese half a lime in hot water and drink first thing in the morning.
• Adam’s ale: Drink at least 2 litres of water a day, there is nothing better than H2O to clean your system.
• Stop and breathe: Breathe deeply and slowly, allowing the blood to absorb more oxygen and circulate in your body. Consiciously breathe throughout the day. Rf that seems too much, at least do some breathing exercises on rising and before going to bed.
• Stress relief: Meditation, visualisation, talking to friends — do whatever you need to release stress.
• Exercise: Choose from dance, yoga, cardio or jump the rope. Exercise is a key aspect of detox programme. Try Qigong, a martial-arts based exercise system that includes exercises specifically for detoxifying or cleansing. This is now becoming popular in Indian cities like Bangalore. Check your city listing to see if they offer this style of exercise.
• Water therapy: While taking a shower, alternate between hot and cold water. Take a hot shower for 5 minutes, allowing the water to run on your back, follow with cold water for 30 seconds. Do this 3 times, and then rest your body for 30 minutes before you head out (So best done before going to bed at night).
• Sweat it out: Allow your body to sweat. Perspiration helps eliminate toxins. Sit in sauna room.
• Brush it: Dry-brush your skin with a loofah or soft-bristled brush to remove toxins through pores. Add salt in your bath — it can go a long way in cleansing your body and mind. Make sure you shower after the salt bath.

 Photograph via sxc.hu

Flush out the toxins: Detox your body is a post from: mDhil

Read Yaana Gupta’s fitness tips here.

Yaana, moving on to food, we read in an interview that when you were a teenager, you had a tendency to go on extreme diets? What effect did that have on you? 

I used to go on crazy diets not just as a teenager but till about five years ago! It was very harmful, I have to say. On all levels! It made my body’s immunity so low that at some point I was falling sick every forty days. This went on for years till I met my teacher (a zen-master and an acupuncture doctor) and learnt from him how to take care of my body better and mainly eat properly. I was also vegetarian for long time, which apparently didn’t suit my body so my immunity improved a lot after I started eating fish. I went through a huge roller coaster with food and diets over the years and I describe it all in detail in my book ‘How to love your body and get the body you love.

What’s your relationship with food like now? What’s a typically daily meal plan like? We’re curious to know what a model eats!

I generally eat smaller portions of food 5 to 6 times a day and I keep it quite healthy (I do eat unhealthy foods occasionally too, but I really do enjoy healthy foods, so if I can get my hands on it, it will always be my preference). I love Indian food and if I can have homemade food than nothing like it. However, I’d prefer it to have it less oily and accompany it with lots of vegetables (either steamed or as a salad) and eat it with brown rice instead of white rice or chappati, etc. I also eat fish and occasional lamb, but whatever meal it is, I will always have tons of vegetables with it and as a snack I often eat fruits and some soaked almonds, superfood smoothies or huge salads.

 What are some of your favourite foods?

Apple is my most favourite food but I also go crazy about anything that is made with coconut (such as a coconut chutney, curries or simply food with grated coconut in it like they do in south). I love all kind of daals and really healthy looking brown breads.

There’s been news of a book you’re going to release. It’s called “How To Love Your Body And Get The Body You Love”. What made you write a book? What’s it about? We’d love to know more!

The book is already out and it’s about my journey with food, dieting since I was 16 and developing an unhealthy relationship with food (and my body). It talks about the psychology of eating, negative body image and negative thinking. It also has details on how to eat healthy, exercise and be fit or even lose weight but in a healthy, peaceful and loving way.

Now onto skin care! How do you maintain such glowing skin? Any secrets you swear by?

The secret is really eating healthy as any toxins you receive through eating or unhealthy life-style will project on your skin. State of the mind however is very crucial as well as stress or negativity creates disease in our body and will surely affect the look of our skin as well.

Finally, there are so many young girls who’d love to look like you, but can’t! Do you have a positive message about self-esteem for our readers?

You can be the best looking woman/man and believe me, you can be still miserable. Looks have nothing to do with if you’re happy or not. Mainly, it is very superficial and one day it will go away, so if you identify yourself with the way your body looks (or your beauty) you’re going to go downhill and feel terrible and unhappy one day, when that goes away. So focus on the beauty inside and first of all start loving yourself unconditionally. This is not as easy as it sounds but when you get there, it will transform your life totally. Then self-esteem won’t be an issue. Looks won’t matter either. The way others perceive you and what they think of you won’t matter either. This is a true path towards freedom…and happiness.

Also read: One on one with Anushka Sharma

Yaana Gupta’s beauty secrets – revealed! is a post from: mDhil

Sportspersons are likely to get skin tags as result of friction between skin to skin or skin and cloth

What are skin tags?

Skin tags are acquired benign growths that generally occur in overweight people. They are harmless except for the unsightly cosmetic appearance. They are generally flesh coloured or slightly darker and hang from the skin by a small stalk. This condition occurs even in healthy individuals and is not a cause for worry.

They may fall off on their own but most persist. The medical terms for skin tags are acrochordon, soft fibroma, cutaneous papilloma and fibroepithelial polyp.

Causes for skin tags:

• Overweight and obese people have a higher tendency to get them.
• Women of normal weight with large breasts and those who regularly wear underwired bras are more prone to develop skin tags.
• More than half of the general population get skin tags at some point. They are not present at birth, but are generally seen anywhere in between 30 to 60 years of age. Toddlers, children and teenagers, especially those in sports may develop skin tags at places where friction occurs from skin to skin or skin to cloth contact.
• Pregnant women are more prone to develop skin tags; this is attributed to hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.

Description of a skin tag:

Skin tags are smooth or slightly wrinkled, irregular growths that are most commonly seen at the base of the neck or in the armpits. Other common sites include the upper eyelid, below the breasts, and in the folds of the buttocks and groin.

Uncommon locations are the tip of the penis, on the penis or scrotum due to masturbation, or excessive friction from tight underwear. They are connected to the skin by a small stalk.

Diagnosing skin tags:

Skin tags must be differentiated from other small growths on the skin like warts, cysts, neurofibromas (lump containing nervous and fibrous tissue) and moles. Very rarely will skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma and basal cell carcinoma resemble a skin tag.

Differentiating warts from skin tags:

Warts can be differentiated from skin tags as they are rough and have an irregular surface and are caused by Human Papilloma Virus or HPV.

Treatment for skin tags:

• Skin tags are rarely bothersome and can be left alone. Only if the person thinks that it looks ugly it can be removed by a dermatologist.
• Removing one does not mean that more will not arise. Some people are more prone to developing skin tags than others.
• Creams are effective in removing skin tags.
• Physical methods used are tying off the tag with dental floss, using cautery to burn the tag, freezing it with liquid nitrogen or cutting the tag with scissors.
• For large tags, local anaesthesia should be injected into the surrounding skin. Any of these procedures may cause bleeding, which can be stopped by applying pressure at that spot for 10-15 minutes.

Some complications seen in rare cases of skin tags:

A skin tag becoming cancerous is extremely rare. If the skin tag has multiple colours or starts to bleed, your doctor will recommend a biopsy to detect cancer.

If the skin tag is repeatedly touched or twisted it may bleed and if the blood supply has been cut off due to twisting it may turn black. These cases may require medical attention.

Written by Dr Nisreen Nakhoda, General Physician

Photograph via sxc.hu

Skin tags: Causes and Treatment is a post from: mDhil

Tropical fruits are super good for treating dry skin!

What you should eat for soft supple skin this winter:

Dry, flaky skin is an often complaint during the winters. The better way to treat dry skin is eating the right foods in combination with regular moisturising.

Here’s what you need to eat if you want to keep that dry, flaky skin at bay:

Water

Water is good for your skin, period! It hydrates your skin, it helps cells absorb nutrients and expel toxins. Water also improves blood circulation, giving you soft, glowing skin.

The general recommendation is about 12 glasses of water per day.

You may not sweat too much in winter, that doesn’t mean you need less of this life-giving fluid. Read our article on Watch you Water Intake this Winter for more information.

Green tea

Did you know that green tea helps stop inflammation, slow DNA damage and even protect your skin from sun damage? Yes, a green tea brew can do all this and more for your skin. So beat the harsh winter with a hot cup of green tea, it will also protect your skin from cold rashes and keep it supple.

Vitamin-A foods

If you want to keep dry and flaky skin at bay, foods with vitamin A are your best bet. Topical and oral forms of vitamin A are common prescriptions for treating acne, wrinkles and other such conditions. Carrots, green leafy vegetables, eggs, oranges and dairy products – all contain vitamin A. So take your pick.

Vitamin-C foods

Vitamin C is crucial for development of collagen (a strong yet flexible protein which provides elasticity and also helps seal moisture into the skin). It also helps undo damage caused by free radicals, in addition to offering protection from the sun.

So include foods that contain vitamin C in your diet for supple skin during the winters. Papaya, citrus fruits like oranges, sweet lime and grapefruit, greens and broccoli are some options.

Vitamin-E foods

Vitamin E is super good to treat dry skin, protect your skin from sun damage and also soothe inflammation. Include nuts, seeds, olives, asparagus and vegetable oils that contain vitamin E and you’ll be guaranteed softer, hydrated skin during the winter.

Topical application of vitamin E oil is an effective way to treat dry skin. Buy some vitamin E capsules from your chemist and rub onto your skin.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids help the skin produce its own natural oil barrier thus keeping dry skin and blemishes away. These are necessary fats that keep your skin soft and smooth. Walnuts, flax seeds, olives and fish like salmons and sardines pack in good amounts of these essential fatty acids.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants slow down and even prevent damage done by free radicals. Free radical damage is responsible for early skin aging, wrinkles and dry skin. Pick from a whole range of fruits and veggies like berries, tomatoes, beans, spinach, apricots and capsicum to derive your daily intake of antioxidants.

Alcohol can dry your skin

So say no to alcohol if you have dry skin. If you can’t completely eliminate it, at least reduce your alcohol intake, and also sip water in between. All this because alcohol is notorious for drying your skin apart from leaving you dehydrated.

Also check out our article: Simple Home Remedies for Dry Skin

Photograph via sxc.hu

Foods that alleviate dry skin is a post from: mDhil

What are chapped lips?

Chapped or cracked lips refers to a condition where a person’s lips become dry, cracked and peeling. Although treatable, it is always better to prevent chapped lips, as the condition can be painful enough for you to lose your smile, literally! That’s because smiling causes the cracks to stretch, thus causing even more pain.

Causes of chapped lips

The main cause of chapped lips is dry, cold weather, which is why the condition becomes more pronounced during the winter season.

Lips produce an oily film to prevent them from drying out. When this layer is lacking or removed, it causes dryness and chapping.

Another common reason of chapped lips is the constant licking of lips, which can be a habit for some people. The saliva evaporates, drying the lips further, making them more prone to cracking.

Symptoms and signs of chapped lips

Chapped lips are a pretty common phenomenon and the signs could be a few or all of the following:

• Lips are dry to feel, there may be cracks in the skin leading to bleeding (if the cracks are deep) and pain.
• There may be redness of the skin between the lips and facial skin. This is called erythema.
• Peeling of the skin on lips may be seen.

Complications due to chapped lips

Not only do chapped lips look unappealing, they are also a health risk. Dry cracked lips make you prone to cold sores (herpes simplex type 1) and bacterial infections, so do not neglect your lips.

Treating and preventing chapped lips

Here are some remedies to prevent and treat chapped lips. Pick from these for luscious tips.

1. Avoid licking your lips – When the saliva evaporates, it leaves your lips drier than before, so ditch this habit. Stay away from flavoured lip balm as it may tempt you to lick it off.
2. Stay hydrated – Consume more water in winter so your lips stay hydrated along with your skin.
3. Use lip balm before going out and reapply several times when outside. It’s a good idea to use a lip balm with a sunscreen for added protection, also cover your lips with a scarf.
4. If the cracks are deep, prevent a bacterial infection by using an antibiotic ointment available over-the-counter at the pharmacy. In severe cases, use a hydrocortisone ointment for faster healing but remember it will not prevent infection.
5. Do not use any sprays or cosmetics with fragrance near the lips as it may cause an allergy leading to chapped lips. Sometimes toothpaste or mouthwash is the culprit, so switch brands just to be sure.
6. Do not breathe through the mouth as it dries out the lips. Always breathe through the nose only.
7. Use a lip cream or balm with an oil-based lubricant for effective moisturisation. Use often after drinking or eating as it may get wiped off. Petroleum jelly is good and easy on the pocket too.
8. Nowadays, lipsticks come with sunscreen and moisturisers added so it’s a good idea to use those for luscious lips. The advantage is it seems to offer some protection against lip cancer too.
9. When you have chapped lips, stay away from acidic foods like orange juice, pepper, mustard, barbecue sauce and alcohol as these foods irritate the fragile skin even further.
10. If you have a tendency to drool while sleeping apply an ointment containing zinc oxide before you go to bed. It acts as a mechanical barrier for lips.

 Written by Dr Nisreen Nakhoda, General Physician

Photograph via sxc.hu

Chapped lips – Causes and Prevention is a post from: mDhil

Sometimes, your appearance needs a tinge of make up to glam up your look. If you are a beginner, we tell you simple tips to perfect a day look.

 

Click to subscribe to our healthcare channel on Youtube!
Swati Gupta, hair and beauty expert, met up with mDhil to demonstrate three simple looks which will add that zing to your look with minimal effort.

For a day look: Use colours on your eyes which are soft and neutral. Depending on your jewellery, add a gold or silverish ting. You can also try a smoky look. Keep the lips sheer. Try a lot of gloss instead of a heavy lipstick. Suck your cheeks in when you are applying a blush for best results.

Super simple make up tips is a post from: mDhil