PIGMENTATION

Every woman desires flawless clear skin and perfect complexion. But factors such as free radicals, hormonal changes and sun exposure can damage your skin leading to patchy pigmentation and dark spots, making you look older.Pigmentation is basically the presence of dark (hyperpigmentation) or light (hypopigmentation) patches on the skin. It is a commonly observed concern. It is not life-threatening, but it can definitely give sleepless nights to those who desire a clear and even skin tone. Our skin has melanocytes. These are cells that produce pigment called melanin which gives skin its color. The number of melanocytes present in our skin determines our skin colour. Melanin apart from giving skin its colour, protects our skin from the damaging effects of sun radiation. The more our skin is exposed to sunrays, the more melanin is produced by melanocytes. This excess melanin is then deposited under the skin, which leads to skin tan, darker patches or pigmentation.Visit our  clinics at Malad,Juhu  and  Bandra  in  Mumbai  for  appointments  call  9004839333.

SYPTOMS OF ALOPECIA

The most prominent symptom of alopecia areata is patchy hair loss. Coin-sized patches of hair begin to fall out, mainly from the scalp. Any site of hair growth may be affected, though, including the beard and eyelashes.

The loss of hair can be sudden, developing in just a few days or over a period of a few weeks. There may be itching or burning in the area prior to hair loss. The hair follicles are not destroyed and so hair can re-grow if the inflammation of the follicles subsides. People who experience just a few patches of hair loss often have a spontaneous, full recovery without any form of treatment.

About 30 percent of individuals who develop alopecia areata find that their condition either becomes more extensive or becomes a continuous cycle of hair loss and regrowth.

About half of patients recover from alopecia areata within 1 year, but many will experience more than one episode. Around 10 percent of people will go on to develop alopecia totalis or alopecia universalis.

Alopecia areata can also affect the fingernails and toenails, and sometimes these changes are the first sign that the condition is developing. There are a number of small changes that can occur to nails

·         Pinpoint dents appear

• White spots and lines appear
• Nails become rough
• Nails lose their shine
• Nails become thin and split

Additional clinical signs include:

§  Exclamation mark hairs - where a few short hairs that get narrower at their bottom and grow in or around the edges of bald spots

§  Cadaver hairs - hairs broken before reaching the skin surface

§  Regrowth of white hair in areas affected by hair loss.

For appointments call 9004839333.Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.

WHAT ARE SKIN ALLERGIES?

Skin allergies are one of the many different skin conditions that may impact you. At a basic level, skin allergies are an allergic reaction to a normally harmless substance.

Your immune system normally fights a foreign substance and removes it from your body. When the immune system sees a substance as foreign and reacts, you can develop an allergic  skin  rash. When your body interacts with one of the triggers mentioned below, you develop a reaction to the trigger that most others do not and you end up with symptoms.

Common Signs & Symptoms of Skin Allergy

When you experience a skin allergy, you might experience a combination of the following:

·         rash

• itching
• redness
• swelling
• raised  bumps
• scaling or flaking of skin
• cracked skin

For appointments call 9004839333.Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai for all skin,hair and nail ailments.

HOW TO GET RID OF ACNES?

Imagine if you wake up in the morning and first thing you see is a red mark on your face. It can be  inflammatory or non inflammatory or could be pimple or acne. Don’t panic, it can be cured if you bring some changes in your routine along with the on-going medication.

1. Emergency Acne Kit               

Foremost thing that needs to be done, is to get connected with your dermatologist. He/She will guide you about the role of some medications and their usage in day to day to life.

It is not only one thing that contributes to healthy skin and you. It is a combination of good habits which can help you lead a healthy life.

2. Have a clear eating plan

ELIMINATE all high glycemic index foods whose numbers are above 70 such as refined products like pasta, white breads, biscuits, noodles, pizzas. Say “no” to fried cooking methods as well fried food items like chips, pakora(sounds very yummy, trust me its nutritional value is zero). Limit the intake of too much sugar and sugar sweetened beverages, they just add unwanted fat to your lifestyle , ultimately it can add bad effect to your skin in the form of acne, pimples , dull skin etc.

ADD low glycemic index so that it won’t spike your blood sugar fast. Add more of home cooked meals made up of whole grains , cereals like used more “atta plus fiber” based options like if you are still craving for bread, opt for multigrain. Try to choose healthy food ingredients.Include 2 to 3 servings of vegetables and fruits in your diet.

ADD Antioxidants like more of vitamin C, E,. Rich sources of vitamin C are oranges, amla, green chilies, broccoli, lemons, papaya, strawberries and some more green vegetables. Nuts, seeds , fish contain good amount of vitamin E.

ADD good fat in your diet - omega 3 fatty acids. They are present in seeds, nuts, various oils like olive oil and mustard oil.

Try to include low fat dairy products in diet. Probiotic curd  is a good option as it contains good bacteria which is healthy for your stomach that can help you with skin breakouts.

3. Keep yourself hydrated

Keep sipping water throughout the day. It should not be more or less. The recommended level is 10 -12 glasses in a day. Fluids could be plain water or green tea.This will make your skin supple, clear and free of toxins.For treatment visit your nearest dermatologist,our clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.Call 9004839333 for appointments.

HOW TO TREAT PIMPLES?

Avoid picking and squeezing them
Before you start treating the marks, it's extremely important to note which is the most effective way to reduce the likelihood of acne scarring. When you start picking on it, it automatically increases the chances of the marks staying back because of the trauma you inflicted on it.
Use targeted treatments
The best way to treat acne marks is by preventing it during the healing process. You should ideally target the acne and use a spot treatment that will prevent it from breaking out further.

Choose the right products
Another way to treat marks left by pimple is by opting for skincare products that cater to sensitive skin.

Never forget your sun protection

Exposing an acne scar to the harmful UV rays of the sun will darken it all the more. The rays of the sun stimulate pigment-producing cells which makes the scars much more noticeable.

Treat hyper-pigmentation

If you notice your scars becoming red and bigger, this results from hyper-pigmentation of the skin.

Do not scrub too often

Scarring happens the most when you use exfoliating agents too much on your skin. The rough granules which are used to get rid of blackheads irritate the acne and thereby lead to scarring.

For all skin,hair and nail treatments visit our clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.Call 9004839333 for appointments.

WHAT IS AN ALLERGY?

An allergic reaction begins in the immune system. Our immune system protects us from invading organisms that can cause illness. If you have an allergy, your immune system mistakes an otherwise harmless substance as an invader. This substance is called an allergen. The immune system overreacts to the allergen by producing antibodies. These antibodies travel to cells that release chemicals, causing an allergic reaction.

A number of different allergens are responsible for allergic reactions. The most common include:
•    Pollen
•    Dust
•    Food
•    Insect stings
•    Animal dander
•    Mold
•    Medications
•    Latex

We have different allergy profiles to detect the type of allergy and its severity.Allergy is done by blood test.If you know your allergy you can easily avoid it.If you wantyour allergy profile to be done please contact us on 9004839333.Our clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai

MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM

The condition spreads through contact with an infected person or a contaminated object.
Though painless, the small bumps might itch. Scratched bumps can spread infection to surrounding skin.

Molluscum contagiosum can affect anyone of any age. It is most common in children, and mostly happens in children aged 1-4. However, it can also affect adults.

The small lumps on the skin (the mollusca) usually develop 2-7 weeks after you become infected with the virus. Typically, each molluscum lasts about 6-12 weeks, crusts over, and then goes. However, new ones tend to appear as old ones are going, as the virus spreads to other areas of skin. Therefore, crops of mollusca may appear to come and go for several months.

To reduce the chance of passing it on to others, it is sensible not to share towels, clothes, soft toys, or bathwater if you have molluscum contagiosum. Also, try to avoid skin-to-skin contact with other people (for example, by covering affected areas with clothing). For adults who have mollusca, a condom should be used during sex. This will not completely stop skin-to-skin spread but will reduce the chance of passing it on considerably.

Try not to scratch the mollusca, as this may increase the risk of spreading the rash to other areas of the skin. Molluscum contagiosum can be passed on to other people (is contagious) until the last molluscum has gone.

It is advisable to visit a Dermatologist for treatment and also to check for any underlying immune problem if any.Visit our clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai for all skin,hair and nail ailments.Call 9004839333 for appointments.

VITAMINS AND SKIN

Your body produces millions of skin, nail and hair cells over the course of your lifetime. Every day, the body transforms raw materials from food into keratin, a tough protein that is the basic building block of hair, skin and nails.

Genetics may determine hair color, how hair and skin ages, and the texture of each. Environmental factors such as exposure to tobacco smoke and sun, medication and drug use, and nutritional deficiencies may all be reflected in the appearance of your hair, skin and nails.

Hair is actually an accessory structure of the skin, as are your fingernails and oil and sweat glands. Skin is living tissue that forms the largest organ in the body, while hair is non-living tissue that has the second fastest tissue growth rate in the body (the fastest is bone marrow). Since skin is living tissue, proper nutrition can affect it quickly, while hair may need to go through a growth cycle before you experience the full benefit of nutritional solutions.For  all  skin,hair and nail ailments  visit our Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.

CAUSES OF ALOEPECIA

The condition occurs when white blood cells attack the cells in hair follicles, causing them to shrink and dramatically slow down hair production. It is unknown precisely what causes the body's immune system to target hair follicles in this way.

While scientists are unsure why these changes occur, it seems that genetics are involved as alopecia areata is more likely to occur in a person who has a close family member with the disease. One in five people with the disease has a family member who has also developed alopecia areata.

Other research has found that many people with a family history of alopecia areata also have a personal or family history of other autoimmune disorders, such as atopy (a disorder characterized by a tendency to be "hyperallergicThyroiditis,Vitiligo .Despite what many people think, there is very little scientific evidence to support the view that alopecia areata is caused by stress. Extreme cases of stress could potentially trigger the condition, but most recent research points toward a genetic cause. For appointments call 9004839333,Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai

TYPES OF ACNE SCARS

Acne scarring need not necessarily be of one type. The more severe scarring on the skin is usually known as an 'ice pick'. These scars are jagged and shallow or deep like ice pick stabs. They occur as a result of deep tissue loss from deep, nodular acne.

Follicular Macular Atrophy
They are small, soft and white lesions which look like tiny whiteheads just under the surface of your skin. They tend to appear on your chest and back.

Atrophic Macules
These are soft and sometimes wrinkled and can also turn blue in appearance because of blood vessels which lie directly under the scar.

Soft scars
They have sloping or rolling edges that seem to merge
with your normal skin. They are most often circular, linear or small.

Depressed Fibrotic scars
These scars are steep, large and sharp. Ice pick scars over time can also develop to be depressed fibrotic scars.

For treatment and queries visit our clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.Call 9004839333.

SKINCARE DURING MONSOON

After bearing that extreme heat of sun in summer days monsoon comes as sing of relief , little changes in the way you take care of your skin could have positive effects during monsoons.

o    Keep skin moist by using soap free cleansers.

o    Sunscreen lotion must be used even if sun is not visible.

o    Waterproof light make up will be a better choice.

o    Nails should be kept clean by regular manicure, pedicures.

o    Use luke warm water instead of cold water.

o    Fungal infections are more common so avoid keeping skin wet for long use antifungal soaps, powders.

o    Keep skin well hydrated by using good moisturiser depending upon individual skin type.

Visit  our clinics at  Malad,Juhu  and Bandra in Mumbai  for all skin,hair and nail ailments.Call 9004839333 for appointments.

CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS

Women who suffer from androgenetic alopecia may lose large amounts of hair. Though this type of hair loss is more common in older women, it can occur at any age, including the teenage years. Thyroid disorders, anemia and pregnancy can cause young females to lose their hair. Young women may also lose their hair due to skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis. Women who suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome may also lose their hair at a young age.

Hormonal imbalances due to circumstances such as childbirth can cause temporary hair loss in young females. Autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata, which is a condition that causes the woman's immune system to attack her hair follicles, causes hair loss in young women. Young females may also lose their hair due to ringworm infections on the scalp or conditions such as scarring alopecia.

Medications used to treat cancer, high blood pressure and heart problems may cause hair loss in young women. Some birth control pills could also cause a woman to lose greater amounts of her hair. Radiation therapy to the head, hairstyles that pull the hair tight, hot oil treatments that cause inflammation of hair follicles, and trigger events such as stress, emotional shock and excessive weight loss may cause hair loss in young women.

Young women who suffer from trichotillomania, which is a hair-pulling disorder, often lose large amounts of hair.For more information and appointments call 9004839333 at our clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.

VITILIGO

What Causes Vitiligo?

The cause is not known. Vitiligo may be an autoimmune disease. These diseases happen when your immune system mistakenly attacks some part of your own body. In vitiligo, the immune system may destroy the melanocytes in the skin. It is also possible that one or more genes may make a person more likely to get the disorder.

Some researchers think that the melanocytes destroy themselves. Others think that a single event such as sunburn or emotional distress can cause vitiligo. But these events have not been proven to cause vitiligo.

Who Is Affected by Vitiligo?

Many people develop it in their twenties, but it can occur at any age. The disorder affects all races and both sexes equally, however, it is more noticeable in people with dark skin.People with certain autoimmune diseases (such as hyperthyroidism) are more likely to get vitiligo than people who don’t have any autoimmune diseases. Scientists do not know why vitiligo is connected with these diseases. However, most people with vitiligo have no other autoimmune disease.

Vitiligo may also run in families. Children whose parents have the disorder are more likely to develop vitiligo. However, most children will not get vitiligo even if a parent has it.

What Are the Symptoms of Vitiligo?

White patches on the skin are the main sign of vitiligo. These patches are more common in areas where the skin is exposed to the sun. The patches may be on the hands, feet, arms, face, and lips. Other common areas for white patches are:

·         The armpits and groin (where the leg meets the body)

·         Around the mouth

·         Eyes

·         Nostrils

·         Navel

·         Genitals

·         Rectal areas.

For all  skin,hair  and nail ailments  visit our clinics   at Malad,Juhu and Bandra for all skin,hair and  nail ailments.Call 9004839333 for appointments.

PIGMENTATION

You may not have deep frown lines or crow's feet, but if you feel like you're ageing, chances are it's thanks to uneven skin tone. Now, we're not talking a sweet smattering of freckles, but bigger, uneven brown patches on not only the face but hands, décolletage and shoulder areas. It's these ageing dark spots of bother that is known as pigmentation, caused by sun exposure and specifically the UVA rays which penetrate deep into your skin and cause ageing.

UVA stimulates your pigment cells called Melanocytes to manufacture the pigment called Melanin. This is responsible for your tan and also your unwanted dark patches. These sun spots may take up to 10-20 years to develop, so if you notice some showing now it could have been caused when you were a child.Visit  our  clinis   at  Malad,Juhu and  Bandra for all skin,hair an nail ailments.Call  9004839333 for appointments. 

TYPES OF MOLES

Not all moles are created equal. Here’s a quick guide to mole types and what they mean for our skin. It’s good to note that moles are categorized by multiple factors, including when they developed, where they are located in the skin and if they exhibit typical or atypical symptoms. That means moles are often described by multiple classifications. For instance, you can have a common acquired junctional nevus or an atypical congenital nevus.

Common 

A common mole is one that is usually about 5-6 mm in diameter, has distinct edges, a smooth, dome-like surface and even pigmentation. These moles are usually found on skin regularly exposed to the sun and have the potential to turn into skin cancer, but it is a rare occurrence.

Atypical 

Atypical moles, or dysplastic nevi, are moles that exhibit irregular symptoms. They usually have fuzzy or blurry borders, are varied in color, larger than most moles and have both flat and raised components. While dysplastic nevi share a lot of the same signs of pre-cancerous or cancerous moles, most dysplastic nevi are benign. However, a person with many dysplastic nevi is at an increased risk for skin cancer. The more dysplastic nevi a person has, the higher the risk. Regular self-examinations are important to detect changes in these types of moles.

Mole types by time

Congenital 

Congenital moles, also known as congenital nevi, are moles that are present at birth. They are caused by melanocyte cells in the dermis (middle layer of skin), epidermis (outer layer of skin), or both. These types of moles can range in size and are sometimes referred to as birthmarks. Congenital nevi can be at risk of developing into melanoma later in life and should be monitored as you enter adolescence and adulthood.

Acquired 

Acquired moles are moles that appear during childhood and adulthood. Most of these moles are benign and pose no risk, although sometimes they can turn into cancerous moles with age. This is the most common type of mole, and it is usually caused by repeated sun exposure.

Mole types by location

Junctional Melanocytic Nevi 

Junctional melanocytic nevi are moles that occur from an accumulation of melanocytes where the dermis and epidermis meet. These moles are typically slightly raised with regular borders and dark pigmentation, although they can range in color from tan to dark brown. People normally acquire these moles in childhood to early adulthood, because, as we age, it is common for melanocytes to migrate down to deeper layers of the skin.

Intradermal Nevi 

Intradermal nevi are flesh colored moles that often blend in with your surrounding skin. Their pigmentation is not as dark as junctional melanocytic nevi because they are located in the dermis, or the middle layer of your skin. These moles usually develop in late childhood or throughout adulthood and are very common and usually benign.

Compound Nevi 

Compound nevi show signs of both intradermal and junctional nevi, with melanocyte cells located in the dermis and dermo-epidermis junction. These moles usually have a central raised area with flat areas around the edges. They usually have distinct borders and even pigmentation.

Other mole types to note

Halo Nevi 

Halo nevi are raised moles that have a ring of skin around them that has lost pigmentation due to inflammatory infiltrating cells.Visit  our clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai for all skin,hair and nail ailments.Call 9004839333 for appointments.