Have you ever wondered why teenagers are more prone to the problem of acne?
According to the famous Skin doctor in Raipur, changes in hormones are one of the significant causes of acne. And teens go through a lot of hormonal changes and thus are at a higher risk of developing acne.
Some of the other causes of acne are as follows-

• Anxiety and stress
• Genetics
• Excessive sweating
• Hot or humid conditions
• Makeup products

The treatment options depend upon the severity of acne. If your acne is mild, the skin specialist may recommend using over-the-counter (OTC) medications like creams, lotions, soaps, gels, etc.

• Corticosteroid injection

An acne cyst can rupture if it becomes severely inflamed. This can result in scarring. An inflammatory cyst may be treated with a diluted corticosteroid injection by a specialist.
This can aid in the prevention of scarring, the reduction of inflammation, and the speeding up of the healing process. Within a few days, the cyst breaks down.

Oral Antibiotics

Patients with moderate to severe acne may be prescribed oral antibiotics for up to 6 months.
These are intended to reduce the number of P. acnes. The dosage will be high at first, then gradually decrease as the acne clears.

Acnes can become resistant to the antibiotic over time, necessitating the use of a different antibiotic. Topical antibiotics are more likely to grow resistant to acne than oral antibiotics.
Antibiotics can stop bacteria from growing and lessen inflammation.
Acne is commonly treated with erythromycin and tetracycline.

• Topical antimicrobials

In patients with moderate to severe acne, topical antimicrobials are used to decrease P. acnes. Clindamycin and sodium sulfacetamide are two examples.
The dermatologist may prescribe a topical retinoid.

Topical retinoids are vitamin A derivatives. They clear pores and prevent the formation of whiteheads and blackheads.

• Chemical Peels:

Chemical peels exfoliate the skin quickly, allowing dead skin cells to shed more efficiently. Pore blockages and pimples can be reduced by keeping dead skin cells and excess oil from clogging the hair follicle. More advanced chemical peels can also be used to reduce the appearance of acne scarring.

• Laser Treatment:

Laser stimulation, unlike traditional acne treatments, may reach deeper into your skin’s layers to eliminate harmful bacteria, effectively curing your current acne problems. Following cosmetic laser therapy, you may notice that your skin generates less excess oil, which can help prevent future acne outbreaks.

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!1)Sunscreen Protection Factor or SPF should be minimum 30 . use higher SPF if possible if you are on vacation, trekking or a sports person. The SPF  will give you an idea about your UVB protection

2) Boots star rating / PA rating should be at least 3 or above. This gives idea about protection from the UVA rays. If a sunscreen has both these factors mentioned it is known as broad spectrum sunscreen.

3) IR on a sunscreen tube shows that ir protects you from invisible radiations. This is necessary as we get exposed to lot of light like from tubelights, TV/Computer/Mobile screen.

3) Non Comedogenic sunscreens should be a choice as they do not clog pores and therefore are less prone for pimples or acne formation.

4) Very water resistant is better than water resistant especially for people who love swimming and sports. It means that the sunscreen will work for at least 40-80 minutes inspite of sweating or being immersed in water (swimming).

5) Formulations: Silicon Gel and Aqua Gel are better suited for oily skin, Lotions and creams for dry skin, Sprays and Lotions for larger body surface areas.

6) Others: many additive factors are added to the sunscreen for additional benefits like Anti ageing, Lightening, Moisturizing, Anti- pollution benefits. The exact value of such additives is debatable.

So while choosing your sunscreen, read the label well. Look for the above factors and then invest in your sunscreen.

Remember sunscreen should be applied everyday, in every climate even when it is cloudy, in all seasons be it rainy, summer or winter.

you need to reapply it every 4 hourly atleast for its optimum benefit, more frequently when you are outdoors.

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• Ageing,
• Pregnancy,
• Massive weight loss causing loose skin and
• Cellulite

GUIDE TO NON-SURGICAL SKIN TIGHTENING

• Non-surgical skin tightening procedures work by using targeted energy instead of surgery.

• It involves heating deeper layers of skin, which stimulates collagen and elastin production and gradually improves skin tone and texture.

• There are many FDA cleared skin tightening therapy on the market; each uses a unique mechanism to achieve the desired result.

Why consider non-surgical skin tightening?

• As we age, production of collagen and elastin—two proteins that help our skin stay plump, firm and smooth—slows down, resulting in sagging skin on the face, neck and body.

• If you are seeking solution for sagging skin, non-surgical skin tightening can be an ideal choice to halt this process temporarily and restore a firmer, smoother, more youthful appearance with little to no downtime.

BENEFITS OF NON-SURGICAL SKIN TIGHTENING:

• Tightens mild to moderately sagging skin on the face, neck or body without surgery.

• Many therapy can provide a noticeable “lifting” effect.

• Little to no downtime is needed.

• Generally therapy can be performed in 1 hour or less.

• Results can last up to 1 year.

• Almost no side effects.

ULTRASOUND THERAPY  ALSO KNOWN AS ULTHERAPY:

• It uses focused ultrasound energy, which heats skin at specific depths and locations to cause collagen production and help skin become firmer.

• Therapy are done through a handheld device, which transmits the ultrasound waves through the skin’s surface.

• Ultrasound technology has been used in medicine for many decades, and ultrasound skin tightening has an excellent safety profile.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ULTRASOUND SKIN TIGHTENING:

• Ultherapy, the most widely used name brand, is FDA cleared to be done mostly on the face.

• Effectively treats early signs of aging on the face and neck.

• Alternative to facelift surgery.

• Therapy take 30 to 90 minutes, with no downtime.

• One of the main concerns with HIFU or UL therapy therapy for our patients is the level of discomfort. It can be a painful therapy for some, especially the deeper penetration.

• Side effects are typically mild and include temporary redness, bruising, and numbness.

• Results are seen within 2 to 3 months and can last up to a year with good at-home skincare.

RADIOFREQUENCY (RF) THERAPY

• Radiofrequency (RF) energy can also be used to heat the skin and trigger collagen production.

• In contrast to Ultherapy, RF focuses on epidermal layers to achieve a firmer, smoother appearance.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT RF SKIN TIGHTENING:

• FDA cleared options can treat the face, neck, hands, and body.

• Therapy can be performed in-office, typically involve little to no discomfort, and require no downtime.

• Gentle on the skin, so ideal for sensitive skin type.

• Results appear gradually over several months following therapy.

• A series of 2 to 6 therapy may be recommended for effective results

IPL/RF COMBINATION THERAPY

• A third class of skin tightening therapy combine intense pulsed light (IPL) with radiofrequency (RF) to heat deeper layers of skin and induce the natural healing response, which in turn triggers collagen production.

• The addition of IPL allows a provider to treat skin at multiple levels and can help focus the RF energy for more effective therapy.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT IPL/RF COMBINATION THERAPY:

• Therapy can be performed in-office with little to no downtime.
• Patients typically experience little to no discomfort.
• Results appear gradually as the skin produces new collagen.
• A series of therapy may be recommended for optimal results.

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Drinking enough water helps the body to flush out toxins while giving you healthier skin. Studies have revealed that drinking just two cups of water can increase blood flow to the skin which gives it an even tone.

2. Prevents Premature Aging

Staying hydrated helps increase elasticity in the skin as it stays moisturised for longer. Heightened elasticity in the skin implies delayed sagging of the skin and no premature appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Faster Healing

If you have been out in the sun and got sunburnt, drinking water can speed up the healing process. Applying some aloe vera to sunburnt areas also proves to be immensely soothing.

4. Reduces Puffiness

When the skin looks puffy, it is actually retaining water to protect you from dehydration. This occurs when you don’t drink enough water. Staying hydrated will reduce swelling and puffiness in your face.

5. Prevents Acne

Drinking ample water balances the oil and water content on the skin of your face. This helps to prevent excess oil and sebum secretion, which means fewer clogged pores and acne.

Adult acne is getting more common these days due to busy lifestyles and lack of hydration. A study revealed that 4-6 people out of 100 in the age groups of 20-40 have adult acne.

6. No More Itchy Skin On The Face

Dry skin always tends to itch. It can even develop dry flakes and crack due to lack of moisture. Drinking enough water ensures your skin doesn’t get dry enough to itch.

7. Tighter Skin

Due to sudden weight loss, your skin can start to sag. To prevent your skin from sagging and to tighten it in areas where the sagging is prominent, like the upper arms, thighs, waist and jawline, drinking water helps as it revives the skin’s elasticity.

8. Maintains Your pH Balance

Sensitive, acne-ridden skin or problem skin due to various issues, can be revived to a healthy version with water. Your skin can glow and be free of blemishes if you drink enough water that will help to balance your body’s pH levels.

9. Prevents Heat-Related Skin Eruptions

Water prevents your body from heating up and normalises your body temperature. When your body heats up due to the weather or physical activity, drinking lots of water ensures that you don’t develop heat boils and rashes on your skin.

10. Promotes Healthy Gut, Meaning Clear Skin

Intake of water helps maintain a healthy gut and aids in proper digestion. It regulates your bowel movements, and flushes toxins from your body through urine and faeces. Only when this process is smooth and your gut is healthy, your skin will remain clear and free of issues.

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How fat burning foods work:

1. They are nutrient fibre, proteins, antioxidants etc
2. They are low glycemic index.
3. They help in regulating blood glucose levels and helps in keeping insulin levels low. Low levels of insulin allow the release of fatty acids which helps in fat loss.

List of fat burning foods:

1. Protein rich foods: Proteins are thermogenic in nature which means they produce heat during digestion process. Proteins use 30% of its calories to digest them.

a. Fish : They are rich in DHA (omega 3 fatty acid) and lean proteins which help in burning fat.
b. Beans: Rich in proteins, low in fat and high in fiber. These help in fat loss.
c. Nuts are rich in essential fats, fibers and proteins. Nuts help in fat breakdown and helps in fat mobilization.
d. Eggs are also very good fat burning food.

2. Whole grains: whole grains are rich in B vitamins, Vit E, magnesium and fiber which help in maintaining blood glucose levels and help in regulating metabolism. Whole grain like brown rice, barley, oats, jawar etc should be included as the part of daily food intake.

4. Green leafy vegetables: eat lots of green leafy vegetables as are they are low in calories, high in fiber and contain calcium and vit C. vegetables juices (like spinach juice, celery juice etc) helps in cleansing body, increases metabolic rate and aids in fat loss.

5. Apples: Apples are rich in pectin which binds with water and limit the fat absorption by our body cells. They are also rich in antioxidants and fiber which helps in increasing metabolic rate.

6. Cinnamon: It helps in regulating blood sugar levels and helps in reducing cholesterol levels.

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To Manage Rosacea :

• Avoid triggers that cause flare-up of the flushing and skin changes in rosacea should be avoided
• Prescription based creams
• Medicated sunscreen
• Oral medications
• IPL

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CAUSES OF SENSITIVE SKIN

While everyone’s skin reacts differently under certain circumstances, common irritants that can cause sensitivity include:

1. Pollution
2. Changing hormone levels
3. Cosmetic treatements, such as lasers, peels and retinols
4. Sleep deprivation
5. Stress

When skin comes into contact with an allergen, it triggers an inflammatory response, such as:

Allergic Reaction: Common symptoms include redness, bumps, scaling, itchiness and swelling
Hives: Usually raised, red areas of the skin that appear anywhere on the body.
Eczema: Presents itself as a scaly, itchy rash that often affects the face, elbows and knees.
Contact Dermatitis: Rashes that appear after trying a new cosmetic or skincare product, certain materials like latex, or a detergent.

When the possibility of a skin disorder is ruled out, but your skin is still reactive, there may be other causes. Hives in particular can be triggered by external physical factors like bug bites, cold, heat, exercise, pressure and exposure to sunlight. To help you manage these reactions, we created the guidelines below.

CARING FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

For anyone with sensitive skin, these simple steps are a holistic approach to begin reducing the possibility of a reaction and helping the skin heal.

1. Keep a skin diary to track any skin reactions to new foods, skincare or cosmetics. Because there can be more than one cause for a skin reaction, a written account can help you go back and identify potential irritants.

2. Avoid foaming cleansers. PEG (polyethylene glycol) surfactants, which cause the foaming action in many facial cleansers, strip the skin of its natural oils, causing dryness and unbalancing the skin’s barrier function.

To cleanse skin without stripping it, look for cleansers that use non-comedogenic oils (oils that don’t clog pores) as an alternative. Cleansing oils remove impurities without disturbing the skin’s essential moisture.

3. Avoid alcohol-based skincare and cosmetic products. Not every product with alcohol is problematic for skin, but products with a high percentage of isopropyl or SD Alcohol 40 can dehydrate and harm the skin’s barrier function. Alcohol-based and astringent toners, in particular, can aggravate sensitive skin.

Instead, try hydrating toners with moisturizing ingredients to replenish your skin if you feel that a toner is necessary in your skincare regimen.

4. Be cautious when using aggressive skincare treatments. Many anti-aging treatments contain harsh ingredients to remove the top layers of skin. This includes retinols, beta hydroxyl acids, alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acids and some physical exfoliators. Physical exfoliators made of ground-up nuts, sugars or sand have sharp edges that can cause micro-tears to the delicate skin on your face and neck. When your skin’s barrier function isn’t working at its best, these can further damage and erode it.

If you do wish to use chemical exfoliators, be sure to let your dermatologist or aesthetician know about your sensitive skin before any treatments or facials. Or, try enzymatic exfoliators that are gentle but still give many of the same benefits.

5. Consider the effect your hair products may be having on your skin, too. Shampoo, conditioner, and hair coloring agents can irritate skin when they come into contact with it. In the shower while you’re rinsing your hair, the chemical residue may cause irritation on your shoulders and back.

If you have very sensitive skin, look for allergen-free shampoos or make your own. Colloidal Oatmeal, a scientifically-proven skin protectant and soother is a great base for an at-home shampoo.

6. Avoid touching your face throughout the day. Even with regular hand-washing, our hands come into contact with all types of potential irritants and bacteria. Touch your face only in the morning and evenings when cleansing it applying makeup. Be sure to wash any makeup brushes you use with a gentle brush cleaner. Depending on the brushes you use, you may be able to use your favorite facial cleanser to wash them as well.

7. Consider having a full-panel allergy test to ensure you’re not reacting to any common allergens in the environment or food allergies. Keep the results on hand in case you need to show a doctor or aesthetician the exact name of the substances you’re allergic to.

8. Manage stress and establish a healthy sleep schedule. Stress and sleep are significant lifestyle factors that affect skin’s health. One clinical studies shows that sleep deprivation and stress disrupts skin barrier function in healthy women. Skin’s recovery is also slowed by a lack of sleep and the body’s stress response.

Prioritize sleep and stress management techniques to help your skin’s resilience. Good sleeping habits, such as having an evening ritual to help signal to the brain that it’s bedtime, will improve sleep quality. Find your happy place, whether it is meditation, your favorite sport or exercise, or leisure reading, to help diminish stress.

CONCLUSION

Sensitive skin can be soothed and healed with a few changes in your lifestyle. With time and some testing, sensitive skin can glow and help rebuild your confidence in your favorite skincare and beauty products. Apart these drink more water, choose your cosmetics products carefully.

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Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging brows and drooping cheeks could turn a once beautiful face into a shadow of the youth. And this is the reason many people start obsessing with anti-wrinkle creams, lotions, serums and what not, the moment they turn 30! But beyond a certain age, these topical agents can’t do much and facelift remains the only solution for fixing those stubborn wrinkles.

However, not everyone is brave enough to go under the knife. And non-surgical face-lift treatment options have thus emerged for these people who want to look younger but don’t want to bear the pain of a surgery. Although a non-surgical facelift treatment is usually temporary and requires repeat sessions at frequent intervals, it is much less painful and can at times be finished within an hour itself. Most popular non-surgical face-lift treatment options are –

• Botox injections – Refined botulinum toxin is injected into the neuromuscular tissue, reduces crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles; needs to be repeated every 3-6 months
• Thermage – Also known as heat-lift, the treatment requires a single session wherein radio frequency is directed at the dermal layer which heats up to replace old wrinkle prone skin
• Tripollar – Focussed and controlled radiofrequency aimed at specific face areas with the help of three electrodes
• Venus Fat Freeze – Increase in dermal fibroblasts leading to collagen restructuring, it’s a combination of magnetic and radio waves. No resultant heat is produced.
• Liquid Facelift – Hyaluronic acid based liquid fillers are injected into the dermal layer of skin
• Electrical Facelift – Electrical pulses directed at facial muscles to improve blood circulation and reduce wrinkles
• Laser Facelift – Laser directed at collagen muscle mass for tightening, minimum six sessions are required for effectiveness
• Cosmetic Acupuncture – Tiny needles inserted in dermal layer to improve blood circulation and cause collagen tissue regeneration

What can you expect from your non-surgical facelift treatment?

1. Improved skin texture – Non-surgical facelift treatments aim to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the skin by stimulating dermal fibroblasts. This would result in a smoother, supple texture and appearance.
2. Reduction in the number of wrinkles and fine lines – A wide variety of non-surgical facelift treatments are equipped to improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Your dermatologist can decide the best non-surgical facelift for your needs.
3. Improvement in complexion – Some laser based non-surgical facelift treatments work by removing the upper layers of the skin in a carefully, in a controlled manner. This results in a noticeable improvement in the complexion of the skin.
4. Youthful skin and improved circulation – Non-surgical facelift treatments tend to improve the circulation of blood in the skin of the face. The improved blood supply, and newly regenerated skin give you a youthful appearance.

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Varicose veins are a common problem these days. Spider veins are equally common. A large number of people look for remedies related to these problems. However, before one looks into remedies, one ought to look into the cause of the problem.

What are spider veins?

When veins turn large or are swollen or go through a twist or turn, then varicose veins or spider veins occur. The major difference between spider veins and varicose veins is the size. While spider veins are smaller, varicose veins are extremely large. Telangiectasias, commonly known as Spider veins, are usually tiny dilated blood vessels beneath the skin surface and calibrating between 0.5 & 1 millimeter in their dimension. They might take place wherever on the body, nevertheless are normally observed around the nasal area, cheeks & chin. They may also appear on the lower limbs exclusively on the top of the legs, usually just below the knee joint in addition to throughout the ankles.

Causes of Spider veins?

Numerous factors can be attributed to varicose veins and spider veins. Problems can occur when the valves inside the blood vessels behave faulty.

From heredity factors to a mere disorder, it could be anything. Sometimes, the job that the person is working at may be the root cause of the problem. One can never say. Usually, people working in the following industries require a varicose vein or a spider vein treatment:

1. Nurses
2. Hair stylists
3. Teachers
4. Those working in manufacturing units

However, a lot of times, obesity causes occurrence of varicose veins or spider veins. Sometimes other causes such as the following are responsible for the problem –

1. Hormonal imbalance
2. Pregnancy
3. Puberty
4. Menopause
5. Birth control pills
6. Some hereditary diseases

If someone has previously suffered from blood clots, then also this could be a problem. Abdominal problems, tumours and at times, even clothes and accessories lead to complications.

Other causes are –

1. Some kind of trauma
2. Injuries
3. Previous surgeries or operations
4. UV ray exposure

Whatever the cause may be, varicose veins are very risky and ought to be done away with as soon as possible. It has often been found that more women tend to require varicose vein treatment as compared to men. More often than not, the problem occurs in old age. Approximately 30% of the adult population suffers from this problem.

What is the treatment?

Treatment of varicose veins (Spider Veins Removal) is best done by a varicose vein specialist surgeon and treatment involves laser, sclerotherapy, surgery and lifestyle modification. A lot of people neglect the need for spider vein treatment. The gold standard treatment for this condition is sclerotherapy. Laser treatment (Long pulsed Nd YAG, Pulse dye laser) is also available.

What is the Sclerotherapy treatment procedure?

Sclerotherapy is the procedure of delivering medicine into the cavity of the affected blood vessels. These types of medications lead to inflammation involving the blood vessel resulting in occlusion. A very fine needle is employed in the procedure requiring a few minutes. A single spider vein may take 1-3 injections for permanent obliteration. Spider Veins Treatment with Sclerotherapy can treat 10-20 vessels in a single procedure.

What happens after treatment?

The patient is advised to be active and avoid sitting or standing still for long periods, but vigorous activity has to be avoided for the next two days. The injected vessels might disappear instantly or after a few days. Relapses can occasionally occur due to development of parallel blood vessels. Leakage of sclerosant on normal skin can cause swelling, irritation, allergies etc.

Spider Veins Removal Treatment Before and After Photos-

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