This story is from October 21, 2021

How to get that perfect Diwali glow

Skincare is very important keeping in mind the added pollution and the stress exposure during this festive time.
How to get that perfect Diwali glow
The festival of lights Diwali is just round the corner and we cannot pass it without lighting up our faces with a beautiful glow. The most essential ingredient to get a special glow and radiance of course is a happy attitude to life and a stress free mind, so you need to start making an effort to achieve that before you start the beauty routine.
Having taken care of this initial step, let us move a step further.
That is skincare which is very important keeping in mind the added pollution and the stress exposure during this festive time. This is very easy provided there is a deligent skincare regime and during this time you need to indulge in a few extra skin care procedures which will help you long way.
Since we all aspire to wear backless choli and short sleeves, a clear, glowing back is an absolute essential. You definitely want to put your best back ( along with the best face) forward. Consult your dermatologist today for the instant skin polishing for a clear, blemish-free, glowing back. Similarly, a single session of skin polishing can brighten your hands, neck and the face. If you plan a month ahead, you could get a skin chemical peeling done to get glowing fair back skin. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen when going out.
Excessive exposure to pollution can cause premature aging and wrinkles on the skin. Excessive humidity can cause acne eruption, fungal infections and a host of other skin diseases. Skin stays excessively sticky and greasy and should be washed every few hours with a gel face wash. To avoid pollution affecting skin, use a good quality sunscreen of SPF at least 25 on your skin before stepping out. Also there is a barrier cream by the name dermashield, that acts as an invisible barrier and protects skin. Oral antioxidants eg. Antoxid, Cigam-C, derantox etc. consumed as 1 cap per day is also used as systemic sunscreen. Rememebr to remove the make up prior to sleep with a good quality make up remover.
Dark circles around eyes is also a common aggravating skin problem seen that makes our faces look very dull how much ever we attend to other problems on our face. Stress is a part and parcel of all of our lives today. Not all problems around the eyes are due to stress. It could even be a hormonal deficiency, some kidney problem, water retention, high BP, genetic tendencies etc. So it is prudent to have a multifactorial approach in tackling such a problem. If you have a refraction error, wear the correct number glasses so that you do not strain your eyes. For dark circles, Vit C / Vit K serum massage for the under eye area at night for 3 – 5 minutes is a good remedy. Active ingredients like kojic acid, liquorice, hydroquinone, azelaic acid etc are good lightening agents to be used alone or in combination , for use at night.
PIXEL laser fractional resurfacing ( 2940nm) though causes dark burnt skin for 1 week, it results in clearing of pigmentation as well as skin tightening. Using a pair of dark eye shades prior to stepping out in the sun helps ( not after you are already out)
In case there is a skin allergy or a skin rash, use mometasone / desonide skin ointment on skin for 1 week. If the problem still persists, consult a dermatologist at earliest. In case a mishap happens and there is a cracker burn on any part of the skin, keep the skin or which ever part of the skin under running tap water till the burning sensation settles down. Then see the dermatologist at earliest.
Diwali is a time to look as well as feel your best. Treat yourself a skin spa and a manicure and pedicure. In case those frown lines and wrinkles bother you, try a shot of Botox. Fillers will help you smoothen your laugh lines and also lip augmentation. PRP as a Vampire facial to treat wrinkles, tired/sunken eyes and Acne scars. If you are in no mood for injections, the new Accent ultra ( radiofrequency and ultrasound) is all that you need to give yourself a tummy tuck and a facelift.
With inputs from Dr Satish Bhatia. MD, FAAD Board-certified Dermatologist and skin surgeon.

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