Skin healthy and skin wiser

Welcome to skin and hair solutions blog!
Skin is the largest organ of the body comprising of 12 -15% of our body weight.

It apart from being the most intimate layer of clothing, advertises our health, individuality and identity. It is a unique canvas for self expression in many different ways today. But sadly it gets ignored in the daily humdrum of everyday affairs where the most basic protection of our body is ignored. We lose up-to 50,000 cells per minute and all this makes up 50% of the dust in our house.  Through this blog together we delve deep into the journey of the evolution of three unique attributes of human skin: its naked sweatiness, its distinctive sepia rainbow of colors, and its remarkable range of decorations.It isn't good to take for granted something as important as skin.

A simple guide to understand cleansers

Cleansing is one of the most common and essential regime followed worldwide. It is not only required for purpose of maintaining hygiene but it also plays a significant role in neurosensory and musculoskeletal development of children. We often wonder which cleanser should I choose for myself. in this blog post. I will try to explain the principles of cleansing which should be kept in mind, next time you think of the ideal choice of cleanser for your skin based on your skin type.

Q- How do cleansers work?
Ans- The cleansers are surface active substances that lower the surface tension on the skin and remove dirt, sebum, microbes and dead skin cells in an emulsified form. At the microscopic level, cleansers are made up of a chain of hydrocarbons. One end of this hydrocarbon chain attaches to grease and oils on your skin while the other end of the chain bonds with water. When you rinse with water, the soap and any attached impurities wash away. 
How do I choose a cleanser for my face? A simple guide to understand cleansers

Cleansing is one of the most common and essential regime followed worldwide. It is not only required for purpose of maintaining hygiene but it also plays a significant role in neurosensory and musculoskeletal development of children. We often wonder which cleanser should I choose for myself. in this blog post. I will try to explain the principles of cleansing which should be kept in mind, next time you think of the ideal choice of cleanser for your skin based on your skin type.

Q- How do cleansers work?
Ans- The cleansers are surface active substances that lower the surface tension on the skin and remove dirt, sebum, microbes and dead skin cells in an emulsified form. At the microscopic level, cleansers are made up of a chain of hydrocarbons. One end of this hydrocarbon chain attaches to grease and oils on your skin while the other end of the chain bonds with water. When you rinse with water, the soap and any attached impurities wash away.

Know your skin type by Dr. Divya Sharma

Skin type analysis by Dr Divya

There are a wide variety of cosmetics available in the market. It is very difficult to choose from among the plethora which one is best suited for my skin? Most often the skin problems are more aggravated than helped for by the choice of cosmetics. It has to be well understood that not all cosmetics are meant for everyone instead they have to be optimized according to the skin type. Most of my patients are unaware of their skin type in their first meeting. I through my blog endeavor to educate you about your particular skin type, this will help you choose the cosmetic product best suited for your skin type.

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8 Things you must know about sweat!

Come summers and most of the people complain of increased sweating and body odor. This goes without saying that it is not only socially embarrassing but an inconvenience too. Here are a few tips from your dermatologist on skin and hair solutions blog to control the sweat mania this summer.1) HYDRATE !HYDRATE! HYDRATE! Quench the thirst soon!!  Drink lots of water to detoxify and allow easy flushing of our body toxins. Our body produces more sweat if it senses less body fluids to keep our skin wet. Coconut water ,mango panna and lime water should replace aerated and frizzy drinks available in the market as the former are healthier and replenish many a lost vital body salts. 2) Why does it Sweat?                                                                                                                          Sweat is produced in human body to regulate the body temperature by its cooling effect via evaporation. Also it releases lot of toxic substances from the system.Most of the times it is not noticeable until the rate exceeds the rate of evaporation which can be affected by climate, stress and levels of activity.

Come summers and most of the people complain of increased sweating and body odor. This goes without saying that it is not only socially embarrassing but an inconvenience too. Here are a few tips from your dermatologist on skin and hair solutions blog to control the sweat mania this summer.
1) HYDRATE !HYDRATE! HYDRATE! Quench the thirst soon!! 

love your skin when you are behind the wheel

Sunscreen while driving: love your skin when you are behind the wheel

Most of us spend a considerable part of our daily lives in travel or driving. According to some recent surveys , this constitutes the largest percentage of total time spent outdoors. This period spent inside vehicle poses the highest risk for intense sun exposure. " Most of us take this plea that we hardly walk in sun to the car park or bus stop which is just few meters and I am in the car or bus only ...Still why do I need to apply sunscreen ?"

Q Why to apply sunscreen when inside the car/bus , " The windows are closed "?

Ans Windshields are made up of laminated glass which blocks upto 90% of UV Rays but sadly the side and rear windows allow them uninhibited. Shoulder , arms and hand closest to the side window receive the highest sun exposure and are always more vulnerable.

Acne Myths Busted: Most common myths surrounding acne and scientific explanation to refute them

Acne or popular term like 'pimples'or' zits' affects 80%of people at-least once in a lifetime. Though it is  very common but still the information about it is very scarce. In this blog I will share with you the six most common myths around acne and offer a scientific explanation to refute them.

Myth 1 :  Adults don't get acne . I never had it when I was in teenage then why now?
Not True. A  lot of people (around 14%) develop acne after 25 years ( Acne Tarda or late onset acne). Teenage acne presents mostly with blackheads or whiteheads scattered all over forehead and rest of the face whereas it is more of reddish nodules around  mouth and jaw in Acne Tarda.
Myth 2:  You get acne when you don't wash your face enough
Not at all. Washing your face more than twice a day is not helpful but can harm one more by disturbing the ph of the skin. It is not build up of dirt that leads to blackheads and the black color is because of oxidized skin debris and melanin and not dirt.

8 womanly tips to a beautiful YOU!

8 womanly tips to a beautiful YOU!

Woman is one of the most beautiful creation of nature. Her life is a canvas full of shades of love in its vivid forms. A daughter, sister, wife and a mother. Bestowed with the highest honors of motherhood, a woman strongly anchors the household and family together. But in playing multiple roles, sometimes she forgets to feed her very own existence . On this day of celebrating womanhood, I want to encourage all womenfolk to take up charge of their own selves. Here are a few tips to a beautiful and a wonderful ‘You’      

Dandruff- are the flakes freaking you?

Dandruff is one of the most common complaints encountered daily in our clinical practice. People commonly misinterpret it as increased dryness of the scalp skin or increased flakiness which is not only a cause of social embarrassment but also leads to increased  hair loss.

Q What is Dandruff?

Ans  It is an inflammatory condition  of the skin which presents as erythema and greasy scaling in areas which are rich in Sebum( The ‘oil like ‘ thing appearing on face and hair if not washed. Its purpose is to prevent skin and hair from drying and making their surface waterproof)

Razor Bumps : Five facts you always wanted to know - Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

# 1: What are 'Razor Bumps'?
Ans- The rash consisting of red raised lesions and sometimes small pus filled papules or small bumpy lesions in the beard area of the face is known as Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB). It can also present in other shaved areas like pubic region and underarms.

How to prevent photoageing: premature ageing of skin on exposure to UV rays

Photoaging is premature aging of the skin caused by repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) primarily from the sun, but also from artificial UV sources. Photo means light so photo ageing means ageing of skin caused by light.

How to keep your skin glowing during summers: Summer care tips for skin

Come summers and we all dread that sweaty and oily look on the face. With Bangalore brewing hot , it becomes all the more important for us to go a little extra in taking care of our skin and hair and how to keep the skin glowing during summers. I share some skin care tips which may be useful in daily care of our skin and hair during Bangalore summers.

Seven things you must know about Baby's skin care

A common worry that bothers all parents is the care of baby's skin. In my new post I try to capture the frequently asked questions on skin and hair care for babies. I will start by explaining the skin structure in very simple language and then explore how to take care of baby's skin and hair.
Q 1 – How is the skin of my child different? Does it require some extra effort and then so, Why?Ans -The skin of an infant is different from adults in many ways which is crucial for understanding the skin care regimen for the parents -a)           Higher skin surface area to weight ratio (skin surface area of infant is 700 cm2/kg as compared to adult skin which is 250 cm2/kg) .a) Increased absorption in the blood of topical preparations (applied products)on the skin.b)           Connection between the upper layers  of skin (epidermis and dermis) is not very strongc)           The skin barrier is not fully developed c)More susceptibility to infections and allergic reactionsAND Increased water loss from the skind)           Smaller  and inactive sweat glandsd)Decreased sweating , more possibility of heat rash or prickly heate)           Acidic pH of the skine) Any increase of pH can increase bacterial colonization of the skin.Q2-Doc, which soap should I use for my Baby?Ans- Most of the soaps contain surfactants ( Read More here) which can have harmful effects on the skin of the newborn-They deplete the lipid part of the skin barrier hence making it weakerIncrease the pH of the skin hence increasing the risk of skin infectionDenature( destroy) skin proteins further weakening the skin barrier.
Q3- What are the alternative for soap ?Ans-  Cocoyl isethionate,sodium lauryl sulphate, and betaines are examples of synthetic non soap detergents (syndets ) which retain the normal pH of the skin but can be drying. Such syndets with addd moisturisers like mineral oil , paraffin and glycerince are most suitable. Soap free cleansers should be preferred but in smaller quantities. Soaps which produce more foam are HARMFUL for your baby's skin.Q4 – When should I start applying soap to my baby?Ans- Minimal use in first few months.Immediately after birth, skin pH may be >6.0 which  falls to 4.95 after birth. This protective “acid” mantle protects against pathogens. Any  soap application will raise the skin pH from acid to neutral hence  increasing the total number of bacteria and increased moisture  loss. Regeneration of skin pH takes at least an hour after washing with alkaline soaps.  If at all needed, healthyterm newborns and infants can be washed MINIMALLY  using cleansers of neutral or slightly acidic pH, which have a gentle surfactant, be chemically and physically stable, and should contain an emollient. BOTTOMLINE is MINIMAL use of soaps in the first month of age.Q5 – How should I wash  my baby's hair?Ans -  Shampoos should have minimal time of contact with the scalp to avoid irritant dermatitis. The shampoo should be free from fragrance, anti-inflammatory agents and natural products. Most baby shampoos in the market contain anionic surfactant which ensures adequate cleaning. The pH of the shampoo should be close to the a that of tears and should be non-irritating to the baby’s eyes.Q6- What about the napkin area of my baby?Ans- The diaper area is probably the most frequently washed area of the baby.Cleaning the nappy area "Front to back"Regular nappy/diaper change is a must as baby’s stool and urine can macerate the skin of your baby if in prolonged contact.“Baby wipes”- they also should be alcohol and preservative free. Consult your Dermatologist for recommendations. Always clean the area from front to back with soft cotton cloth or towel.Apply a  Bland moisturiser and a barrier cream containig Zinc Oxide for skin protection if prolonged Diaper wear is required.( Use Dermatologist /Pediatrician recommended Diaper rash creams)
Q7- What precautions I should take while washing my Baby’s clothes?Ans-  You should use gentle detergents for washing your baby’s clothes.Avoid  adding antiseptic solutions or cleansers ( e.g Dettol etc.). They are VERY HARSH for your baby’s skin.The detergent should be fragrance freeRinse the detergent thoroughly. (MACHINE WASH IS BETTER THAN HAND WASH)Donot add Fabric Conditioners/BleachesPrefer cotton and linen waer for your babyWash any new dress before making your child wear that.

A common worry that bothers all parents is the care of baby's skin. In my new post I try to capture the frequently asked questions on skin and hair care for babies. 

I will start by explaining the skin structure in very simple language and then explore how to take care of baby's skin and hair.

Hair loss approach explained in This week Bangalore

Dr Divya talks about a scientific approach to dealing with hairloss in the city based tabloid- "This week Bangalore" Sharing a snippet of the interview on skin and hair solutions blog, you can read the entire article by clicking on the following link:

Dr Divya talks about a scientific approach to dealing with hairloss in the city based tabloid- "This week Bangalore" Sharing a snippet of the interview on skin and hair solutions blog, you can read the entire article by clicking on the following link:

http://www.thisweekbangalore.com/a-scientific-approach-to-dealing-with-hairloss-tackle-hairloss-the-smart-way/

Top 5 food nutrients for skin and hair: Part 2

Here is the second part of the post Top 5 Nutrients for Skin and Hair. Here we talk about Vitamin D and Flavinoids and the major food sources of these nutrients.Our skin has been endowed with the capacity to produce Vitamin D from sunlight. This not only delays ageing but also prevents skin cancer. Research has shown a link of this precious Vitamin with hair loss and sleep

Top 5 food nutrients for skin and hair: Part 1

Skin is the window to general health and well being of a person. It is the largest organ of our body and consequently undergoes not only the external assaults but also internal ageing. Our shelves are decorated with so many latest cosmetics but little do we realize that as the case with the rest of our body , it can be more helped ’inside out’ rather than ’outside in’. While we live a fast paced life in Bangalore let us try to make a few easy and natural changes in our diet to achieve a flawless complexion.I plan to take you across the healthier food ingredients which can do wonders along with the basic skin care regimens. I will put across this post in two parts

Yogurt & Honey DIY Anti-Aging Face Mask Recipe

Wouldn't it be great if you can whip up your own anti-wrinkle mask? Then you wouldn't have to worry about exposing your skin with ingredients that aren't all natural or proven effective and safe.You wouldn't have to worry, too, about paying unnecessarily for expensive packaging, endorsement costs.  Nothing wrong with saving a few dollars I say!  There are numerous recipes of anti-wrinkle masks out there in varying degrees of difficulty, but this one is easy and effective.  Yogurt-Honey Anti-Wrinkle Mask

Why Raw Honey Lasts Forever

Ever wonder why the raw honey you have in your kitchen can sit in the cupboard for months on end (or even years) without going bad?
It's because of GOx.
GOx is short for glucose oxidase.

Must-Love Bags

Appearances: ELLE November-December 2012

Hi everyone,

I've come to realize I'd better do this once a month with each magazine. Compiling them together like this means more time for me to take pictures and edit them. Together for the last 2 posts, I was shooting and editing 40+ pictures and sometimes, it's not easy to edit them to my liking at all!
/*end of rant

Now, let's take a look at what I did for ELLE Vietnam during last November and December:

The cover of ELLE's November issue, which is also their 2nd anniversary
The cover girl is Ho Ngoc Ha (the same one in F-Fashion's December issue)
She is very popular and it's hard to stop by the newsstand without seeing her face these days

Beautiful Skin Starts With Great Skin Care

Here certainly are a few beauty suggestions from Arabian women that will help become more beautiful:. Switch to mild skin care treatment goods that don't damage your skin layer and you could may well avoid or your teenager the discomfort and embarrassment of acne and the problem of obtaining a cure. It means it is possible to keep the huge benefits of hemp all to yourself. Hyperpigmentation: Although most women suffer with some form of hyperpigmentation, it can be most common with females of color. Although no two skins are exactly similar most have characteristics which enable them to become grouped into one of the following types: Dry skin, Normal skin, Combination skin and Oily skin. They relieve puffy lids from stress and facilitate banish dark circles beneath the eyes. A daily natural skin care ritual must include cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Phthalates are prevalent inside a wide range of consumer items that make use of plastic and they are used as binding agent for that cosmetic product's color and scent.