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Apr 10
1

17 TIPS FOR HEALTHY HAIR AND SKIN

By | Tips | No Comments
1

Remember that the most important factors that decide the quality of your skin and hair are your genes and family history, your nerves and emotions, and your immune system.

2

Use an appropriate face wash meant for your skin type and wash twice a day.

3

Use cleansers at night to remove make up and dirt before using a face wash.

4

Use sunscreen everyday even if you are indoors – the sun’s UVA rays come through windows too and contribute to aging, pigmenting and tanning. Ideally, sunscreen should be applied every three hours.

5

Sunscreen should have an SPF of 30 or more. SPF is the degree of protection against UVB rays, hence sunscreen must have UVA protection as well. The usual UVA protection ingredients are Avobenzone, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Mexoryl and Tinosorb.

6

Make up products like foundations, mineral powders and compacts do not have adequate sun protection.

7

Indian skin tends to tan and pigment easily and patchily. There is a very thin line between tanning and pigmentation. If your tan hasn’t gone in 4-6 weeks, see a dermatologist.

8

It is advisable to use mild skin lightening creams as prevention. Look for botanical ingredients like Arbutin, Bearberry, Licorice, Mulberry, Ginseng, Gingko, Emblica, Turmeric – curcuma, Grapeseed and vitamins like C and A, and Niacinamide.

9

Aging can be intrinsic, i.e. genetic, and can be delayed by exercise and, to a lesser extent, through diet. Extrinsic factors include increased UV intensity, increased pollution as well as stress. All these factors tend to dry the skin and make it more prone to pigmentation and aging. Hence it is important to start caring for your skin in your teens.

10

Extrinsic factors produce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which are naughty oxygen molecules that damage the cells and make them age faster. Anti-oxidants neutralise these ROS.

11

At night, use a moisturiser with an age-protecting agent.

12

For younger skin, look for ingredients with antioxidants like vitamins C, E or a whole range of botanicals like green tea, grapeseed or pomegranate extract, curcumin, etc. You might also like to look out for the following: Genistein, ECGC, Resveratrol, Idebenone and Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10.

13

Kitchen ingredients like fruits do not work.

14

For older skin, look for the following ingredients: peptides, vitamin A and derivatives like retinol and other retinoids, Alpha, beta and polyhydroxy acids.

15

Exfoliation should be done with extreme caution and only with modern bead exfoliators. Avoid granular scrubs as these tend to damage the skin microscopically, which can lead to slow, insidious and patchy darkening.

16

It is advisable to visit a dermatologist at least once a year. There are a lot of nuances in skin colour, texture, smoothness, etc. that we can’t see for ourselves. These can be detected by the dermatologist and mild creams/treatments can be recommended.

17

Always use a conditioner after you shampoo your hair. It protects your hair and is a better option than oil. Conditioners neutralise electrical charge in the hair shaft and help in detangling. Conditioners also improve shine and to some extent repair minor frays in the hair shaft. Conditioning agents like hydrolized protein or silicons are added to increase manageability and shine in the hair.

Apr 10
1

IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION IS THE LATEST IN MODERN DERMATOLOGY

By | IPL | No Comments

Say goodbye to the effects of sun damage, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and more. With the innovative Intense Pulsed Light (IPL™) photofacial/ fotofacial procedure, gentle skin rejuvenation is now easier than ever. IPL™ photorejuvenation is the latest in modern dermatology, allowing patients to transform red, blotchy skin into a radiant complexion. If you suffer from any of these problems, photofacial/fotofacial treatments may be the dermatological approach you’ve been looking for.

What Is IPL™ Photofacial/Fotofacial?

A photofacial, or “fotofacial,” is a 30-minute procedure in which intense pulses of light are used to penetrate deep into the skin. IPL™ photorejuvenation then causes collagen and blood vessels below the epidermis to constrict, reducing redness and age lines. The procedure involves only minimal discomfort, while the redness and swelling that sometimes occur after treatment disappear shortly. Most benefits of a photofacial/fotofacial occur gradually in the weeks following treatment. For even greater cosmetic enhancement, patients may also opt for a FotoFacial RF™, a procedure that combines radio waves with light waves to achieve excellent results.

Candidates

People who have blotchy, sun-damaged, or discolored skin, or whose skin is affected by large pores, freckles, or wrinkles, may benefit from an IPLTM photofacial. The procedure is also quick and involves no downtime, making it a convenient option for people with busy schedules. Those with dark or deeply tanned skin sometimes experience complications following IPLTM photofacial treatment. Patients should discuss such issues with a trained dermatologist before undergoing treatment.

How IPL™ Photorejuvenation Works

During IPL™ photorejuvenation treatment, high energy light waves are used to reduce or eliminate many common effects of aging, including facial wrinkles and skin discolorations. IPL™ light also encourages the production of collagen, a natural protein that fills in wrinkles, making the skin smooth and supple. With each treatment, the results of IPL™ photorejuvenation become more pronounced. Five full-face IPL™ photofacial/fotofacial sessions spaced three weeks apart are normally required for optimal results.

What to Expect During Treatment

Before the procedure begins, you will be given protective eyewear to protect you from the bright flashes of light. A cool gel is often applied to the treatment area, both to lubricate the handpiece and to help cool the epidermis during the treatment. Your skin care specialist will apply brief pulses of bright light to the skin through the handpiece. Depending on the size of the area being treated, the procedure may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.

During the IPLTM photofacial procedure, you will feel a warm sensation caused by the handpiece. Some patients liken the sensation to a light “snap” from a rubber band. The number of pulses you receive will depend on the size of the area being treated. Following the procedure, your skin care specialist may help you in icing down the treatment area to help soothe any discomfort from the procedure. This is often unnecessary, however, as IPLTM photofacial treatment causes very little pain.

Apr 10
3

PRP THERAPY: HAIR LOSS TREATMENT

By | PRP Therapy | No Comments

PRP therapy is used in hair restoration for natural looking results. With a thin needle, your own Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is injected into the scalp. Then the growth factors in your blood cells do their job and hair growth is naturally stimulated.

PRP Hair Restoration is suitable for both men and women. It is a state of the art, non-surgical, totally natural, alternative medical procedure used for the treatment of hair loss or hair thinning. It is an injectable treatment which uses the patient’s own blood.

Our blood plasma (PRP) contains active growth factors which can promote hair growth. Helping to restore one’s confidence, the end result is a fuller, healthier looking head of hair.

Frequently asked questions about PRP hair treatment

Does it hurt?

In the past some patients experienced PRP Hair Loss Therapy as uncomfortable and sometimes painful when carried out under topical anaesthetic. If you wish, the procedure can be carried out under intravenous sleep sedation or general anaesthetic. You will be fully asleep and will not notice the injections.

New! Cutting-edge technology?

Yes. Used in conjunction with a patient’s own biological cells it is a means of naturally promoting hair growth.

What are the risks?

There is no risk of an allergic reaction with PRP therapy because the enriched plasma has been produced from the patient’s own blood. A concentrated amount of white blood cells make up part of the PRP which are the body’s natural defenders against infections. Infections are therefore extremely rare.

How long does PRP treatment takes?

The actual procedure normally takes between 60 and 90 minutes, depending upon the area’s being treated.

Do I need to repeat this treatment?

Depending upon the patient’s individual needs and treatment plan, PRP treatment can be repeated until the desired result has been achieved. Our experience shows that regular PRP treatment every 3 to 6 months can be very beneficial.

Apr 10
2

ALL ABOUT MIRADRY

By | MiraDry | No Comments

The miraDry technology is the only non-invasive device specifically designed and FDA approved to provide a lasting treatment for underarm sweat. It eliminates the sweat glands and once sweat glands are destroyed they do not grow back.

The perfect candidate for treatment is usually someone who feels their excessive and bothersome underarm sweating is interfering with their everyday life. Having a lasting, non-invasive solution is important because excessive underarm sweating can have a significant impact on a range of events from how people approach social and professional situations to things as basic as their clothing choices.

Typically, two treatments performed three months apart are required to maximize the results.  The initial treatment takes about 90 minutes as we have consents to fill out, measuring of the axillary vaults, and explanation of the procedure. The second takes about 60 minutes.

Success rate

Results from a recent study showed 90 percent efficacy, 90 percent patient satisfaction, and an 82 percent average sweat reduction 18-months after receiving the miraDry procedure.

Side effect

Almost all patients will experience:

  • some swelling in their underarm (1-8 weeks)
  • altered sensation in the skin and around the treatment area (up to a few months)
  • soreness, discomfort, or tenderness of the treated area (2-3 weeks)
  • redness from the device suction (few days)
  • temporary bumps or lumpiness in the underarm (4-6 weeks)
  • patients may also experience some degree of hair loss

How Does MiarDry Compared with other options (e.g. antiperspirants, ETS etc)

Until now, treatment options have been limited to prescription-strength antiperspirants, oral medications, botulinum toxin A injections and surgery, which contains inherent risks. Current treatment options are designed to temporarily disable the sweat glands and have proven ineffective for lasting results.

Mar 27
1

REJUVENATE YOUR SKIN WITH LASER RESURFACING

By | Rejuvenation | No Comments

Aging of the skin is a normal (and inescapable) part of life. Years of sun exposure, repetitive contraction of facial muscles on a daily basis, and gradual loss of skin elasticity result in the development of wrinkles, age spots, and skin dullness. These common symptoms of aging may make a person look significantly older than they actually are.

While there are many surgical procedures to address the effects of aging, one of the most effective is a minimally invasive treatment called laser skin resurfacing. Laser resurfacing can reduce wrinkles and other skin irregularities like sun damage, age spots, and acne scars, while simultaneously improving the overall tone and texture of the skin.

What is laser skin resurfacing?

Laser resurfacing (sometimes called a laser peel) uses highly concentrated microscopic beams of laser energy to remove precise amounts of skin in a controlled, targeted fashion. It vaporizes the skin surrounding wrinkles and scars, minimizing their visibility. It also removes the old, dull top layers of skin and initiates the production of new collagen and elastin, improving skin quality, texture, and firmness.

Laser resurfacing can also be much more powerful than other exfoliative skin treatments such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion, with the ability to treat more severe or advanced skin symptoms.

Who is a good candidate for laser resurfacing?

If you have fine lines and wrinkles, shallow acne scars, pigmentation issues (like uneven skin tones or age spots), or dull sun-damaged skin, you may be a great candidate for laser skin resurfacing. However, laser resurfacing may not be ideal for patients with severe acne or very dark skin tones.

Feb 02
1

HOW TO TREAT ACNE

By | Acne | No Comments

Acne is a disorder of the skin caused by inflammation of the skin glands and hair follicles. Since it forms under the skin, washing away surface oils does not do much to prevent or cure it. Acne treatment falls into three categories:

– Cleansing & Exfoliating

– Keeping It Clear

– Medications

Cleansing & Exfoliating

It is a myth that people get acne because they don’t wash enough. Gentle washing is important, but too much washing can irritate the whiteheads and blackheads, causing them to be more infected and making more pimples.

Use a mild cleanser such as Cetaphil, or an acne cleanser such as Aveeno acne bar, Neutrogena Acne Wash, or Benzoyl Peroxide 5 percent bar. Exfoliating, which removes the layer of dead skin cells, is also important for healthy skin. After washing your face with a mild cleanser, exfoliate with face facial scrub one to two times a week. This can help reduce dead skin cells and debris which can clog pores and cause more acne.

Keeping It Clear

To avoid further clogging of your pores, all cosmetics, lotions, and sunscreens should be oil-free! To avoid dry skin, use an oil-free lotion such as Complex 15. To avoid sunburn use oil-free products such as Neutrogena or Coppertone Oil-free Sunscreen. And remember to beware of hair products and gels, as they tend to be very oily. Look for product labels that read “noncomedogenic”, meaning they won’t clog pores.

Medications

Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide can be found in many over the counter acne medications. It kills bacteria that worsen acne, unplugging oil ducts, and helping to heal acne pimples.

Directions:

Start conservatively, with 5 percent gel or lotion once a day (such as after you wash your face to go to bed). After one week, increase use to twice a day if you are not using another medication. If your acne is not better after 4 to 6 weeks, try a 10 percent solution. It is now available over-the-counter (without a doctor’s prescription). Be sure to get the pure form: you may want to ask the pharmacist for the type that used to be available by prescription only.

Retin-A

Retin-A is available with a doctor’s prescription, as well as in over-the-counter solutions at your local drug store.

Directions:

Retin-A may cause your skin to become very red and dry, and may cause peeling. Newer medications have milder side effects. You should ask your doctor to switch your medication if you suffer some of these side effects.

As your doctor will tell you, Retin-A should only be used at night, because it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun and more susceptible to sunburn. Use extra sunscreen and sun protection when outdoors. It may take two to three months to see improvement in your skin. Be patient, follow your doctor’s instructions and remember to stick with the program. (Acne may get worse before it gets better.) For females: your physician may prescribe birth control pills prior to starting you on Retin-A, as it can be extremely harmful to fetal development in pregnant women.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are available with a doctor’s prescription only. Antibiotics can be very helpful for acne that is swollen and red, or for acne that is not improving with other medications. The antibiotics kill the bacteria which contribute to whiteheads.

Directions:

Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions. Take the antibiotic pills with plenty of water. Some antibiotics may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, wear sunscreen when outdoors.

Jan 20
1

WHAT IS THE PRP THERAPY?

By | PRP Therapy | No Comments

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy: what is it and how does it work?

The doctor takes a little blood which is then treated in a centrifuge so that only the enriched cells or platelets (PRP) remain.

The PRP or highly concentrated Platelet Rich Plasma, including essential growth proteins, is injected into the scalp or areas to be treated using a special micro needle.

It is possible to use PRP Hair Loss Therapy alone to promote hair growth or it can also be used in combination with hair transplant or restoration surgery.

Advantages of PRP Therapy

Advantages of PRP Therapy against hair loss are:

  • Simple, non surgical procedure
  • Multiple Injections: procedure lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes
  • Safe and reliable results
  • Very quick recovery period
  • Beautiful and above all extremely natural looking end results

PRP therapy is used in hair restoration for natural looking results. With a thin needle, your own Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is injected into the scalp. Then the growth factors in your blood cells do their job and hair growth is naturally stimulated.

PRP Hair Restoration is suitable for both men and women. It is a state of the art, non surgical, totally natural, alternative medical procedure used for the treatment of hair loss or hair thinning. It is an injectable treatment which uses the patient’s own blood.

Our blood plasma (PRP) contains active growth factors which can promote hair growth. Helping to restore one’s confidence, the end result is a fuller, healthier looking head of hair.

In the past some patients experienced PRP Hair Loss Therapy as uncomfortable and sometimes painful when carried out under topical anaesthetic. If you wish, the procedure can be carried out under intravenous sleep sedation or general anaesthetic. You will be fully asleep and will not notice the injections.There is no risk of an allergic reaction with PRP therapy because the enriched plasma has been produced from the patient’s own blood. A concentrated amount of white blood cells make up part of the PRP which are the body’s natural defenders against infections. Infections are therefore extremely rare.

Depending upon the patient’s individual needs and treatment plan, PRP treatment can be repeated until the desired result has been achieved. Our experience shows that regular PRP treatment every 3 to 6 months can be very beneficial.

Dec 15
4

BOTOX: WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO START?

By | Botox | No Comments

Botox is a drug prepared from the bacterial toxin botulin, used medically to treat certain muscular conditions and cosmetically to remove wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles. With real noticeable results, no surgery, and no recovery time, there are many reasons why botox has been chosen by millions of women and their doctors. It is used in small doses to treat following problems:

  • Forehead wrinkles.
  • Moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows.
  • Crow’s feet lines at the corners of your eyes.
  • Wrinkles around your mouth.
  • Botox injections work by preventing certain muscles movements.

The effects last about three to six months. Botox injections are performed usually without anesthesia. However, a local anesthetic or ice may be used for numbing the treatment area. Patients may experience some minimal discomfort from the needle injection. The amount of Botox to be used for the procedure is determined on the individual basis. Some people require more, others require less. Results are usually evident within a day and up to one week and last about three to six months.

Is it ever too early for Botox? Many people in their 40s, 50s and 60s attempt to fix these wrinkles and folds once they’ve developed. But by injecting earlier, people can keep them from ever happening. If you slow down the use of these muscles beginning early in adult life, the lines never develop. It’s easier and more effective to inhibit progression than come in 10 years later and take them away. Starting botox at an early age cannot harm the look of the face, it just does not allow certain muscles to move that cause unwanted wrinkles on the face. It is completely safe. Patients however, should be over 18 years of age.

Nov 24
1

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A LASER HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENT

By | Laser Hair Removal | No Comments

Laser hair removal treatments have gone a long way since they first came on the market. With today’s technology laser hair removal treatments are more effective, less painful and quicker than older technologies. However, although the technology has changed, there are still important things to note before undergoing laser hair removal.

Preparation:

Stop waxing, plucking, tweezing, or bleaching at least 4 weeks prior to your appointment. Shaving should be the only means of hair removal before your first treatment and during your laser treatments. Other methods pull the hair follicle from the root and the laser will be unable to pick up those follicles, therefore making your treatments less effective. Sun should be avoided in the treated area at least 2 weeks prior to your appointment. Sun exposure can increase the risk of burning and pigmentation issues.

You should always shave the treated area the day before you appointment. The laser can still pick up the follicle because the root is not pulled out with shaving. Hair that is not shaved can cause a very painful treatment.

Antibiotics must be stopped 14 days before your treatment, as they make your skin sensitive to light. Products containing Retin-A should be avoided 3 days prior to your treatment. Avoid using any lotions, creams, deodorants, etc. on the day of your appointment.

Post-care:

  • Avoid exercise for 24 hours after your treatment, as sweating can cause irritation.
  • Sun exposure should be avoided at last 2 weeks after your treatment.
  • Make sure to schedule a follow-up visit in 4-6 weeks, depending on your technicians recommendation.
  • Consistency is key when doing laser treatments.
  • If you ever have any abnormal reactions to the laser such as burns, blisters, or white or dark spots, contact your technician or laser clinic immediately for recommendations.
Sep 13
2

LASER HAIR REMOVAL FOR DARK SKIN TYPES

By | Laser Hair Removal | No Comments

Laser hair removal is the perfect choice for anyone that has grown tired of shaving, waxing, plucking and other antiquated methods of hair removal. The benefits of laser hair removal include permanent hair reduction, removal of ingrown hairs and it is more cost effective, quicker and less painful than waxing.

The laser works by targeting the melanin (pigment) in the hair follicle to destroy it. Patients with darker skin types should be especially careful when undergoing laser treatments because their skin type is more prone to being attracted by the laser rather than the hair follicle. Patients with dark skin can undergo laser treatments; however, they must be especially careful before doing so. Read below to learn more about laser hair removal or dark skin types.

For the safest and most effective results, laser hair removal must be done by an experienced and skilled technician, especially when treating dark skin patients. A skilled practitioner will know the exact settings to use that won’t burn the surrounding skin but will still provide you with the best results possible. Keep in mind that before undergoing any laser treatment, you must keep the treated area out of the sun for at least 2 weeks prior to your treatment and 2 weeks after your treatment. Dark skin types are more prone to blistering or hyperpigmentation if they are exposed to the sun after laser.

Lastly, the type of laser used during your treatments is very important. The best type of laser to treat dark skin types is a Cutera laser. This is because the Cutera delivers the longest wavelength of all laser types, so it penetrates deeper into the skin, bypassing any damage that may occur at the skin’s surface. If you have dark skin you should make sure the laser clinic you are choosing has this option available.