Myth #1: Stretch marks only happen to women.

Fact: Stretch marks can happen to both men and women. While usually women are most afflicted by it due to pregnancy, men often do suffer from this problem, particularly in cases of weight changes and growth spurts. In fact, many teenagers get stretch marks due to these factors.

Myth #2: Stretch marks only occur on the stomach.

Fact: Striae can happen anywhere on the body where the skin stretches, including arms, legs, hips, breasts and more! So don’t be alarmed if those pesky scars are on your upper arms. It is a common condition that can occur on any part of the body.

Myth #3: If you are skinny, you won’t get them.

Fact: The reality is that no matter how thin you are, genetics and hormones are the number one reason for stretch marks to develop. Remember, these marks happen from skin stretching, not from being obese. So, a rule of thumb is that if your mom has them, you probably will get them too.

Myth #4: There is no way to prevent stretch marks.

Fact: Since genetics are a big cause of striae, it is hard to prevent these marks. However, a regimen of maintaining the suppleness of the skin can help reduce the risk of these skin lesions. First of all, moisturise the skin regularly and without fail! Proper skin hydration improves the elasticity of the skin, ultimately preventing skin from tearing when it is stretched. Secondly, look for creams with cocoa butter, vitamin E, gotu kola and other actives known to help improve skin tone. These actives will help ensure your skin gets the nutrition it needs.

Finally, avoid excessive weight gain or weight fluctuations by having a balanced diet and exercise plan. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the best way to keep your skin looking clear and toned.

Myth #5: Stretch marks cannot be treated.

Fact: In reality, stretch marks are treatable and can be managed quite well by a good dermatologist. Topically, a dermatologist will recommend a cream that contains both alpha-hydroxy acids and a topical retinoid. Alpha-hydroxy acids are naturally derived from milk and sugar and act by gently exfoliating the top layer of the skin. This reveals newer skin, ultimately reducing the appearance of pesky marks and scars. Topical retinoids are derived from vitamin A, and also act by causing exfoliation, while simultaneously increasing collagen synthesis. This makes the skin more supple and resilient.

In regards to procedures, microdermabrasion is quite effective in removing those irritating scars. Microdermabrasion uses crystals to exfoliate superficial damaged skin, and requires many sessions to see the full results. However, this gentle procedure is very effective.  Lasers are also in vogue now, with fractionated lasers showing great results with fewer sessions required. These lasers act by going deep into the skin to give a deeper exfoliation while also improving the ultimate suppleness and texture of the skin.

So if you too have stretch marks on your body and want to get rid of them then you can try these aforementioned procedures and also stop new ones from appearing by keeping your skin hydrated with a good cream. 

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May 12 is Mother’s Day. How about pampering that most important woman in your life with a luxurious skin treatment package that will bring back the glow on her face.

Continually balancing home and work, mothers are often worked off their feet and have little time for themselves. They simply forget to take care of themselves and this shows on their face. So beauty experts offer daily cleansing-toning-moisturising (CTM) packages as the ideal way to keep the skin healthy. For as little as Rs 400 to as much as Rs 2.5 lakh, there’s plenty to choose from to make this Mother’s Day (on Sunday) special.

One option is to visit a skin expert who can guide her about a skin care regime. Nikita Sharma, make-up trainer at The Body Shop India, has some interesting tips. ‘Unless the skin is thoroughly cleansed, it will look dull and lifeless and will be more prone to spots and blackheads from clogged pores,’ Sharma said, adding that cleansing should be followed by toning. ’Toner refines the pores, refreshes, soothes and softens the skin,’ she said. To make skin smooth and supple, she suggests a moisturiser after toning.  

Avni Amlani, International Skin Expert and Consultant to Dermalogica, talks about two more products to the list – serum and foundation with SPF (sun protection factor). Explaining the process and its benefits, she said, ‘A serum is light and easily absorbed into the skin. Applying a serum right after cleansing or toning helps it penetrate deeper in the skin.’

‘If your moisturiser doesn’t have a SPF, you can apply a broad spectrum sunscreen on top and if you wear makeup, try a foundation with SPF,’ she added.

If your mother is an adventurous type and okay with non-surgical treatments, take her to a good doctor for procedures like Botox and Juvederm beauty fillers.

Capital-based dermatologist Indu Tolani suggests Juvederm for women above 60 as it gives volume to the face. This is a little more expensive with Juvederm fillers for 60-year-old women ranging from Rs.65,000 to Rs.2.5 lakh.

‘Juvederm contains hyaluronic acid, which is a natural component of our skin. It fills up lines and takes care of sunken areas of face. It also gives a hydrated look,’ Tolani said.

Botox, on the other hand, which costs Rs 300 per unit, is protein injected on affected areas like forehead and jaws. ‘It helps to relax lines on face,’ she added. A younger woman would need 50-60 units.

Tolani clarifies that when older women opt for such treatments ‘total lifting of face is not possible though there will be glow and skin will look healthier.’ To get the best out of these anti-wrinkle treatments, the ideal age to start is 30.

Apart from application, eating habits also affect appearance. Known for antioxidant properties, green tea would be a great way to start her day.

According to Simran Saini, dietician and weight loss expert at Fortis Group of Hospitals, ‘The leaves can be used as a gentle exfoliant (which helps remove dead cells from the surface – also called exfoliator). They give your skin a healthy glow. They can drink two to four cups of green tea to help prevent acne. Tea bags can also be directly used on acne skin,’ she said.

Source: IANS

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Chandan and turmeric face pack

Simply mix chandan, turmeric or haldi with some water and mix it to make a thick paste. Apply this on your face and neck it till completely dries up and then wash it with water and pat dry your skin. This pack not only has a soothing effect on your skin but also helps in getting rid of pimples. It is best-suited for oily skin.

Chandan and milk face pack

If glowing skin is what you are looking for, apply a mixture of chandan and raw milk on your face and leave it for 20 minutes. Now wash it off with water. It will add a glow, tone your skin and also moisturise it. If you suffer from dry skin, this is an excellent pack for you.

Chandan and almond face pack

Get clear looking skin by mixing chandan with finely powdered almonds (badam) and adding raw milk to the mixture. This pack can be applied daily on the face, arms and legs.

Chandan face mask

Make a face mask at home using natural ingredients to make your skin smooth and flawless. Mix together in a bowl – rose oil, chandan, turmeric, malai, honey and besan. Apply it on your face and neck and leave it to dry. Peel it off and wash your face after some time. This will make your skin soft and remove impurities from it. But do not use this pack more than once in a week.

Chandan face scrub

Make a chandan face scrub to get rid of dead skin cells and other impurities like dirt, oil which are hard to get rid of with face packs. Mix chandan with rice powder (chawal ka aata), besan, milk and rose water. Remember, not to add too much milk or water as scrubs are thick in consistency. Apply this once in two weeks for the desired results.

Apart from these face packs, you can also use chandan paste for other purposes like relieving stress and cooling down your body. Apply this paste on your forehead and enjoy its calming effects. You can also apply it on other areas to cool down if you feel too hot.

Another good way to use chandan is to make your own natural perfume with it. You can use rose water instead of plain water for added fragrance and mix it with finely powdered sandalwood.

There are various sandalwood soaps and lotions available in the market these days. You can buy them if you can’t find time to make these packs. But remember, using natural chandan powder is always better!

Enjoyed reading this? Also read beauty benefits of aloe vera, haldi and besan. 

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Not many know that sugar is the best cleansing agent while lemon juice helps reduce tanning. Buttermilk soothes and softens the skin while coconut water brings a glow to it. Here are some face packs that you can make at home to remove tan.

Cucumber juice and rose water pack: Apply a mixture of rose water, cucumber juice and a dash of lemon juice once a day. Lemon juice helps reduce the tan while rose water and cucumber work as cooling agents.

Honey and lemon juice pack: Mix two tablespoons of honey with a few drops of lemon juice and apply it on the affected area once or twice in a day. Apply the mixture for a few minutes and wash it off with cold water. 

 Turmeric pack: One can also prepare a paste adding a pinch of turmeric, lemon juice and raw milk. Apply the mixture properly and wait till it dries. Wash it off with cold water. 

 Oats and buttermilk pack: Buttermilk soothes and softens the skin. Make a pack by mixing a tablespoon of oats with buttermilk and apply it on your face or body to get rid of tanning. Oats also help in exfoliating the skin so this mixture is extremely beneficial. 

Curd and lemon pack: In olden days, granny used to rely on a mixture of gram flour, lime juice and curd to get a glowing skin. But one can use the mixture regularly to get rid of tanning. 

Lemon juice pack for body parts: To keep your knees, elbows and other patchy areas smooth and clean, apply fresh lemon juice. Keep it on for at least 15 minutes and wash it off.

Coconut water pack: Fresh coconut water makes the skin soft and fair. Using it twice in a day on hands and face can prove beneficial.

Milk powder and honey pack: Prepare a paste adding equal quantity of milk powder, lemon juice, almond oil and honey. Apply it on the affected portions for at least 20 minutes. It will help reduce tan. One can also store it for a week. If you have time, use it thrice a day for better results.

Sugar and lemon pack: Sugar is considered as the best cleansing agent. Apply the mixture of sugar and lemon juice on your face and wash it after 20 minutes. If you have dry skin, then add a few drops of glycerine to the mixture.

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Source: IANS

Q: I have a thick, corny allergy on my palms since a month. It itches a lot and is painful. I get some relief when I heat my hands over the gas or pat them with very hot water. It may have started when I wore a new gold ring in my middle finger after which I felt itchy and removed it later. The allergy started with my finger and spread to my palm, and later to my right hand. I visited several specialists but have not got much relief. Whenever the skin on my palm touches water, it starts burning unbearably. Kindly suggest what can I do to get rid of this allergy.

Answered by our expert Dr Kiran Lohia, MD.

It sounds as if you have an allergy or irritant dermatitis on your hands. Please avoid exposing your hands to the gas or hot water as this may ultimately exacerbate the condition. You must identify the cause factor of this irritation. Do you wash your hands very often? Do you wash the clothes in the house? Are your hands exposed to detergents, chemicals or soaps? These are all possible factors of your problem. Go to your dermatologist for treatment and in the meantime don’t wear any jewellery, and avoid all soaps/detergents/chemicals on your hands. Reduce your hand washing, and when you do wash your hands, only use liquids designed for dry skin like Dermave nourishing wash. If you absolutely must do the housework, then wear rubber gloves and tie a rubber band around the top so no water can get in.

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Exposing your skin to the sun can cause damage to it. The summer heat can not only dehydrate you but also soak in the moisture from your skin, making it dry and frail. Our expert Dr Manjiri Patankar Puranik gives tips to remove tanning and rectify uneven skin tone caused due to the sun.

Tanning

Tanning of the skin due to sun exposure is quite common and there are a few home remedies that you can employ to get rid of it. However, one needs to keep in mind that there is nothing that can help remove a tan overnight. It will take at least a week.

In order to get rid of their tan, some people opt for the harshest method available – they bleach their skin. But by doing so, they cause dryness, burning and further darkening. Bleaching also reduces the smoothness of your skin to a large extent.

Remedies for removing tan

Soak saffron in milk cream and steep overnight. Blend this in the morning with your fingers and apply on the affected area. This will lighten your tan effectively. It has the added benefit of adding a glow to your skin as well. If you also want to sanitise your skin, add a few drops of lime juice to this mix.

You can also exfoliate your skin to get rid of the dehydrated layer as this will give the illusion that the tan has lightened. Exfoliating your skin strips it off the dead skin cells that are on the topmost layer. This action stimulates cell growth and regeneration which results in a smoother, clearer and an even skin tone.

Another trick to hide your tan is by covering it up with light make-up. But note that this is just a temporary solution and should be used when you are in a fix and have no other option.

Uneven skin tone

Many a times, we suffer from uneven skin tone where some parts are lighter than the others. This is due to the overproduction of melanin. Sun exposure can aggravate this condition with its harmful UV rays. Here are some ways which can help get rid of uneven skin tone.

Microdermabrasion

The skin complexion can be evened out through the mechanical action of tiny beads. This procedure is called microdermabrasion. The scrubbing action not only acts on the surface but also cleanses and moisturises the skin.

Chemical peels

Chemical peels may be a little daunting considering that they can be a bit harsh when not applied properly. But under the right conditions, chemical peels can remove stubborn dirt and dry skin bringing out that fresh and rejuvenated appearance with a complexion that is evened out.

A word of caution with chemical peels is that you have to protect yourself better from sun exposure because the skin becomes more sensitive after use. Put on sunscreen that has a broad spectrum and an SPF of at least 30. You should also moisturise regularly to make so that your skin gets enough hydration after a chemical peel. A lack of it can result in breakouts which could create dark spots.

Laser

An aggressive approach to fixing uneven skin tone is through laser therapy. It basically works the same way as your other hyperpigmentation treatments – by removing the outer layer of dead and dry cells revealing a more even skin underneath.

The advantage of laser therapy is that it acts more precisely on the problem areas. There are different kinds of laser therapy, and the good thing about it is that the instrument can be programmed specifically by the doctor to get a therapeutic dose of the laser energy.

Tips

Wearing sunscreen every day will significantly cut back on accumulated sun damage. Load up on antioxidants, both topically and internally to avoid uneven skin tone. To nourish your skin internally, drink three to four liters of water daily, eat fruits rich in vitamins and minerals like citrus fruits, melons, and moisturise heavily at night. 

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I get pimples in the summer on my back and chest due to the heat.  I also develop redness on my face due prickly heat. How can I avoid this?

Answered by our expert Dr Kiran Lohia, MD.

Prickly heat is very common in India and is typically caused by blockage of sweat glands, resulting in red bumps on the chest, shoulders and back. The correct treatment involves washes or lotions with salicylic acid and triclosan which act together to reduce gland blockage and prevent bacterial activity. Remember, to also stay dry by wearing loose cotton clothing and to bathe with an anti-prickly heat wash. SaliQt Active Body Wash is an ideal solution you could try.

Treating Skin Infections

Boil a few neem leaves till the time they turn soft. You will notice the water turning green because of the discolouration of the leaves. Strain this water and add some of it in your bath water. Regularly taking bath with this water will help in keeping skin infections under check. Neem leaves have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties and hence they are quite effective on skin infections. It also soothes irritation and reduces inflammation without drying the skin.

Addressing Acne Problems

The most favourite home remedy that has been passed on from one generation to another is about using neem to treat acne. To effectively put this to use, first boil a few neem leaves in water (as explained before) and dab a cotton ball in that water and then apply it evenly on your face. You can also use a neem-cucumber face pack or neem-yoghurt face pack to keep a check on excessive oil secretion by sebaceous gland.

Used as Skin Toner

When used regularly, neem works as an excellent agent to prevent wrinkles and fine lines. Use the strained neem water to fight the signs of age spots or aging. It works effectively on skin pigmentation as well. Strained neem water will help in lightening the acne scars and lesions caused due to skin conditions. Alternately, you can prepare a neem-rose face pack for a smoother complexion, free from grease and oil. After it dries off, make sure you wash it off with rose water.

Remedy for Dry Skin

A neem pack is quite effective in taking care of an excessively dry skin. Take some neem powder and add a few drops of grape seed oil in it. Apply this evenly on your face and leave it on for a couple of minutes before you rinse it off with cold water.

Cure for Skin Pores

Neem provides an effective remedy in tackling problems such as blackheads, whiteheads and large pores. To combat these problems, you will need to prepare a mixture of neem leaves and orange peels. Pound the two to make a pulp and add a few drops of honey, soy milk and yoghurt to it. It is recommended that you apply this face pack at least thrice a week to notice results. If you only have blackheads, apply some neem oil on the affected area.

Takes care of Hair Troubles

The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of neem come in handy while treating scalp conditions.

• Neem oil helps in hair growth. Massage neem oil on your hair roots without breaking your hair strands. This will take care of your hair thinning problems as well.
• For dandruff control, apply a mixture of neem powder and water on your scalp and leave it for an hour before you shampoo your hair.

I have oily skin but I would like to start using night cream. Can night cream be used on oily skin? What are its contents and how do I choose the best one for my skin type?

Answered by our expert Dr Kiran Lohia, MD

Yes, night cream can be used on oily skin but you need to select the right one to suit your skin type. When buying one, look for a night cream that contains salicylic acid or biosulphur as both of them help in reducing the oil secretion and unclogging pores. Also, check to make sure it is non-comedogenic, meaning that the ingredients do not cause pimples. A good night cream for oily skin is Eracne night repair therapy. 

Besan helps in the removal of dead skin cells which leads to skin rejuvenation. Using besan face packs regularly will make your skin smoother, softer and tighter. It is also used as a skin whitening agent and for hair removal. Since besan is alkalising in nature, you need to mix it with milk, yoghurt or lemon juice before applying on your face. It is an excellent exfoliating agent.

Here are some homemade besan face packs for different skin types:

For oily skin

If your skin is oily, apply a mix of besan and rose water on your face and let the pack dry before washing it off with water. Avoid areas around the eyes. This will help absorb the excess oil on your face. Another good pack is to mix besan and yoghurt (dahi). This is excellent as it will release the toxins from your skin making it smoother.

For dry skin

Dry skin needs constant care as one needs to moisturise it to keep it hydrated. In order to get some moisture in your skin, make a pack of besan, honey, a pinch of turmeric and some milk. Keep it for 20 minutes before washing it off with water. Applying this every week will help you reduce the dryness.

For skin brightening

Besan can be used as a natural tan remover for your face. You will need 4-5 powdered almonds, 1 tsp of milk, lemon juice and besan. Mix all of these together. You will need to keep the face pack for longer to get the desired effect so don’t wash it off before 30 minutes of applying.

For blemishes

If those ugly blemishes bother you, get rid of them the natural way. Apply a mixture of besan and cucumber juice on the affected area and keep it for 20 minutes before washing it off. Pat dry.

If you have dull and damaged hair, mix besan with curd and apply it on your mane. Applying this mixture regularly before washing your hair will add shine to your hair and will also make your locks stronger. This pack is also effective in reducing dandruff.

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