Monthly Archives

April 2016

17 TIPS FOR HEALTHY HAIR AND SKIN

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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.

IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION IS THE LATEST IN MODERN DERMATOLOGY

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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.

PRP THERAPY: HAIR LOSS TREATMENT

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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.

ALL ABOUT MIRADRY

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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.