PIGMENTATION

Normal skin contains cells called melanocytes. These cells produce Melanin, the substance that gives skin its color.

Skin with too much melanin is called hyperpigmented skin.

Skin with too little melanin is called hypopigmented skin.

Pale skin areas are due to too little melanin or underactive melanocytes. Darker areas of skin (or an area that tans more easily) occurs when you have more melanin or overactive melanocytes.

Bronzing of the skin may sometimes be mistaken for a suntan. This skin discoloration often develops slowly, starting at the elbows, knuckles, and knees and spreading from there. Bronzing may also be seen on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. The bronze color can range from light to dark (in fair-skinned people) with the degree of darkness due to the underlying cause.

Causes

Causes of hyperpigmentation include:

·         Skin inflammation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)

·         Use of certain drugs (such as minocycline and birth control pills)

·         Endocrine diseases such as Addison disease

·         Hemochromatosis (iron overload)

·         Sun exposure

·         Pregnancy

Causes of hypopigmentation include:

·         Skin inflammation

·         Certain fungal infections (such as tinea versicolor)

·         Pityriasis alba

·         Vitiligo

·         Certain medicines

·         Skin condition called idiopathic guttate hyomelanosis

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

HEALTH TIPS TO PREVENT SKIN DISEASES

Here are a few health tips to prevent the contraction of skin diseases.

·         Sun protection: Over-exposure to the sun and its UV rays results in excessive skin damage that can lead to sunburn or even skin cancer. Therefore, the number one tip would be to wear sunscreen or sun block to prevent the damage of the skin from sunrays. Staying away from direct sunlight from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. would also provide protection.

·         Wash hands well: Washing hands prevent the spread of infections, however, it is largely underrated.

·         Include fruits and vegetables in the diet: Fruits and vegetables aid in providing the necessary nutrients necessary to keep the skin glowing and to ward off certain skin conditions and diseases by fortifying the body.

·         Attend to wounds: Skin is the biggest barrier against infections and a tear or a wound can open that barrier and increase the risk of infections. Moreover, untreated wounds may become severe and spread to other areas of the body.It is advisable to consult a dermatologist for all skin,hair and nail ailments.For appointments call9004839333 at our clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.

FACTS ABOUT HAIR

It's the perennial question of the hair it is a fact that cutting back is a good thing - and washing every day is a mistake, no matter how much you might crave clean-feeling locks.Your hair's natural oils are designed to condition and protect your tresses, so when you shampoo daily, it strips these vital oils away.It creates a vicious cycle of over-production of oils and a need to shampoo very often. Ideally, to keep your hair healthy, you only need to wash two to three times a week, max.

Don't overwash coloured hair

This is especially true for coloured hair, which can lose its sheen quickly with too much washing.The biggest mistake people make is over-washing coloured hair.Buy a good-quality shampoo– and wash it every few days using styling products in between to keep it looking fresh.Don't shampoo daily. Simply rinse and condition the hair every other day as shampoo can wash out the colour.

Take into account your hair type and lifestyle choices

Of course, how often you need to wash your locks also depends on the type of hair you have.You may not be able to imagine not washing your hair after a workout ,you can can always rinse out sweat without shampooing.A water-only rinse will remove salt and sweat without stripping hair oils.

Invest in some good dry shampoo

And finally if you're aiming to scale back the amount of times you wash your hair per week, remember dry shampoo is your friend.Use dry shampoo instead of washing your hair every day. It will help reduce the oil build up in your hair and gives amazing texture You can also leave dry shampoo in (instead of brushing it out) to give volume.As opposed to washing your hair every day, dry shampoo will help to refresh your hair at the roots and the tips whilst helping you to retain all the essential moisture your hair needs.Avoid hot showers and shampoo your scalp, not your ends.

Amount of Shampoo

Come shampoo time, many of us reach for a large dollop of the good stuff to scrunch into our hair; but there's a technique to good hair washing and overdoing things on the product front will do more harm than good.Healthy, beautiful, shiny hair starts in the shower so make sure to use the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type and level of damage. The volume of shampoo you should use depends on the length and thickness of your hair, but a blob the size of a small 1 rupee coin is a good start.Longer hair needs a 2 rupee coin.

Aim for the scalp not the ends

It's not just how much shampoo you use, but where you apply it that counts.Use shampoo on the scalp only - not on the ends of your hair. The shampoo will rinse down in the shower, but you don’t want to scrub the ends.

Massage your scalp to encourage circulation

Giving your head an invigorating massage as you shampoo is a good way to encourage blood circulation and helps to detoxify the scalp.Having strong, healthy hair is the best way to make any hair look expensive. A lot of it is about properly shampooing and conditioning and taking care of your scalp - massage it well while washing to get circulation going.

Avoid hot water

Cool off in the shower. Blasting your scalp with extremely hot water will dry out your hair and create tangles that could result in breakage.Towel-dry your hair before applying conditioner.

What conditioner you use and how you use it is

 If anything, more important than the shampoo stage. Make sure you invest in a few good quality conditioners and leave-in treatments or hair masks, especially if you have coloured hair.

Good conditioner is also crucial when it comes to thick, curly hair.

For curly, highly textured hair, always deep condition .No two minute conditioners here. Deep conditioning involves a conditioner that will add moisture and strength (protein) back to hair. I believe it’s important to use leave-in conditioners and also not to shampoo it so often. Rinse it if you want to but don’t necessarily shampoo it.

Gently towel-dry the hair before applying conditioner

Make sure you towel-dry hair after shampooing and before you apply conditioner: excess water in your hair means the conditioner won't be able to penetrate the hair shaft and deliver the necessary moisture to keep hair looking healthy and shiny.If you're short on time, at least squeeze out excess water - hair that’s saturated with water doesn’t have room to absorb anything else.

Avoid the roots and concentrate on the ends

Try not to put the conditioner on the roots, because that can cause your scalp to get greasy faster.It's also a good idea to think ahead and anticipate situations where your hair might dry out.While you exercise, you perspire, which means that your hair gets damp with sweat that can actually make it dry.Before you hit the gym (especially during the summer, but this works year-round too) wet your hair and add in some conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends. Rinse out the conditioner post-workout and you’ll be left with shiny, hydrated hair.Avoiding too much sun helps too.Brush your hair twice a day, from the bottom up

Comb wet hair, don't brush it

When your hair is soaking wet, it is weaker, fragile and more susceptible to breakage.Try not to rough-dry hair with a towel, and instead gently press the water out. Also, do not brush your hair while it is wet. Use a wide-tooth comb, working from the ends of your hair on up.

Brush from the bottom up

Brushing from the roots causes damage – always brush from the bottom and work up

Use different brushes for blow-dying and styling

At home, you should have a round brush for blow-drying, for styling and a tail comb to move hair around a little

Keep your brushes clean

Filthy hair brushes that are covered in hair, oil and product build-up are breeding grounds for bacteria. Clean them at least once a month with a mixture of baking soda and lukewarm water. A toothbrush will help you to get into all those tiny bristles.

For more information and queries call 9004839333.Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.

CUCUMBER -A SUPER ANTI AGEING FOOD

Vegetables are wonderful for maintaining healthy skin
10 reasons why you should include cucumber to your diet

Cucumbers are said to have the following benefits: potential antidiabetic, antioxidant activity, cleansing action of toxins and waste, soothing effect against skin irritation, and prevention of constipation. And here are 10 health benefits of cucumbers in more details.

1. Help you stay hydrated

Cucumbers are 95.2 percent water, which means that a 5-ounce serving contains 4.8 ounces or 150 ml water. That’s already about 26 percent of your daily water intake through food.

2. Support heart health

Cucumbers contain potassium (152mg per cup), which can help lower blood pressure. A review of the best studies conducted on potassium intake showed that a higher intake “is associated with lower rates of stroke and might also reduce the risk of total cardiovascular disease.”

3. Protect your brain from neurological diseases

An anti-inflammatory substance called fisetin is present in cucumbers, as well as strawberries  and grapes

 It has recently been suggested that fisetin plays an important role in brain health: It would have “the ability to reduce the impact of age-related neurological diseases on brain function,” and it would also help maintain cognitive function in people with Alzeimer’s disease.

4. Protect your skin against the effects of aging

There is a reason why cucumbers are used in skin care: They have been shown to be effective as a potential anti-wrinkle agent in cosmetic products, protecting our skin form the effects of aging.

5. Fight inflammation in the body and reduce the risk of Cancer.

Cucumbers can help lower the inflammatory response in the body. They contain polyphenols called lignans, which can potentially reduce the risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

They also contain plant nutrients called cucurbitacins, which have anti-cancer properties: “Scientists have already determined that several different signaling pathways required for cancer cell development and survival can be blocked by activity of cucurbitacins.”

6. Relieve Pain

Flavonoids, which are anti-inflammatory substances, and tannins in cucumbers have both been shown to limit the release of free radicals in the body and to reduce pain.

As explained in the Journal of Young Pharmacists, “traditionally, this plant is used for headaches; the seeds are cooling and diuretic, the fruit juice is used as a nutritive and as a demulcent in anti-acne  lotions.”

7. Reduce bad breath

Bad breath  is usually caused by bacteria in the mouth. Fiber and water-rich vegetables  like cucumbers can boost your mouth’s saliva production, which in turn helps wash away the bacteria that cause the odor in the mouth.

8. Protect your bones

Cucumber are a good source of vitamin K: One cup contains 22 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin K. This vitamin is essential for bone health, as low vitamin K intakes have been associated with a higher risk for bone fracture. Vitamin K is also important for improving calcium absorption in the bones

9. Prevent constipation

Cucumbers are rich in water, and their skin contains insoluble fiber. Both water and fiber help food to move through the digestive tract quicker and more easily, helping prevent constipation.

10. Maintain a healthy weight

Cucumbers are very low in calories (16 calories per cup) and they also contain fiber in the skin. And foods that contain fiber can help maintain a healthy weight

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

SYMPTOMS OF PIMPLES

There are several different types of pimples and they have different signs and symptoms:

§  Whiteheads - also known as a closed comedo. These are very small and remain under the skin, appearing as a small, flesh-colored papules.

§  Blackheads - also known as an open comedo. These are clearly visible on the surface of the skin and are black or dark brown due to the oxidation of melanin, the skin's pigment. Some people mistakenly believe they are caused by dirt, because of their color, and scrub their faces vigorously - this does not help and may irritate the skin and cause other problems.

§  Papules - these are small, solid, rounded bumps that rise from the skin. The bumps are often pink.

§  Pustules - these are pimples full of pus. They are clearly visible on the surface of the skin. The base is red and the pus is on the top.

§  Nodules - these are morphologically similar (similar structure) to papules, but larger. They can be painful and are embedded deep in the skin.

§  Cysts - these are clearly visible on the surface of the skin. They are filled with pus and are usually painful. Cysts commonly cause scars.

It is advisable to visit a dermatologist instead of taking over the counter medicines for pimples.For appointments call 9004839333 at our clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra.

SYMPTOMS OF PSORIASIS

Psoriasis symptoms differ from person to person and depend on the type of psoriasis. Areas of psoriasis can be as small as a few flakes on the scalp or elbow, or cover the majority of the body.

The most common symptoms of plaque psoriasis include:

• red, raised, inflamed patches of skin
• silver-white scales or plaques on the red patches
• dry skin that may crack and bleed
• soreness around patches
• itching and burning sensations around patches
• thick, pitted nails
• painful, swollen joints

Not every person will experience all of these symptoms. Some people will experience entirely different symptoms if they have a less common type of psoriasis.Early diagnosis helps a lot.For appointments call 9004839333.Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra in Mumbai.

SKIN REJUVENATION

Sun, skin disorders, aging and even heredity can all contribute to skin irregularities on the face and elsewhere on the body. These include textural irregularities like wrinkles and acne scars, pigmentation changes like freckles and sunspots, or visible blood vessels.

In addition, skin may lose tone, feel less firm, and certain areas of the body may develop cellulite conditions.

Conditions that can be treated with skin rejuvenation and resurfacing include:

• Static wrinkles: These wrinkles are visible at all times and do not change in appearance with facial movements
• Dynamic wrinkles: These are expression lines that may appear as folds when the skin is not moving, and deepen with facial movements or expressions
• Pigmentation: Freckles, sun spots, or other darkened patches of skin result mainly from sun exposure
• Scars: As the result of acne or injury to the skin, scars may be rolling (a wavy appearance to the skin), pitted, discolored, or have raised borders
• Vascular conditions: Blood vessels visible on the surface of the skin, vascular lesions that appear as tiny blood-filled blisters or even a constant flush of facial redness
• Loss of skin tone: Weakening of the supportive skin structures (collagen and elastin fibers) that result in a loss of skin firmness or the development of cellulite.

Only a certified and skilled Cosmetologist should perform these procedures.For  appointments and queries call 9004839333.Clinics at Malad,Juhu and Bandra.

LASER TATTOO REMOVAL

Laser Tattoo Removal is one of the latest inventions of Medical Sciences.Previously  it was  impossible to remove the permanent tattoos but now with the advancement of technology the permanent tattoos can be removed easily in a few sessions.

Lasers remove tattoos by breaking up the pigment colors with a high-intensity light beam called Laser.Generally 2 to 6 sessions are required for complete removal of Tattoo.However depending upon the size,coloration,age and location of the tattoo determine the exact number of sessions.

Only a certified and skilled dermatologist should perform Laser Tattoo Removal Treatment.

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

LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Are you tired of shaving, plucking, or waxing? Do you get razor bumps or acne-like breakouts when you get rid of unwanted hair? If so, you may want to consider laser hair removal.Dermatologists use lasers to remove unwanted facial and body hair safely and effectively. Thanks to advances in technology, most people can safely have laser hair removal.

BENEFITS OF LASER HAIR REMOVAL:

Precision. Lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.

Speed. Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs also wont be that time consuming.

Care should be taken to get it done by an Expert Dermatologist.For any skin,hair,nail queries contact us on 9004839333.Our clinics located at Malad,Juhu and Bandra.