Keep it clean and simple
‘Keep it simple’ is the mantra of Bollywood dermatologist, Dr. Abhijit Desai, who arrived in the country recently on the invitation of LUSH Skin Clinique here. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Dr. Desai who was Makeover expert for Vogue India, Skin Expert of the Year 2014 and consultant dermatologist and skin expert for Femina Miss India, 2009, said one should not get caught up with all the flashy cosmetics advertisements but rather choose a natural and local product as much as possible that would suit one’s own individual skin type.
“In my practice I have always asked my patients to keep it simple. A cleanser, a moisturizer and a good sunscreen is all that you want to maintain a healthy skin. Added to that is a night cream that will suit your skin type,” he advises. Asked about any habits a person interested in maintaining a healthy skin should follow, Dr. Desai said the food we eat plays a major role.
“If your body is healthy, your skin reflects that you are healthy. It is very important to have good and timely eating habits and select fresh and natural food. What happens mostly is that people neglect their skin. So I always ask my patients to take care of their skin, to nurture and pamper it.”
He went on to say that there are a number of Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to skin care. Smoking, he warns, is a killer of healthy skin. “There’s an increase in the number of women smoking in the subcontinent. Smokers eventually seek a dermatologist’s help to maintain a healthy skin. But the only advice is to stop smoking,” Dr. Desai says.
Rule number two is to eat well. Three main meals per day have to be healthy. “It’s alright to indulge yourself with street and instant food once in a while. Just don’t make it a daily meal,” he said. Rule number three is to be happy. Healthy mental status also reflects through not only your skin but also your face. Rule four is to use good, scientifically approved medical products and to follow a regular pattern of doing so.
Dr. Desai said that he believes the biggest issue faced in the subcontinent and in Sri Lanka is pigmentation or uneven skin darkening and says that in India laser treatment is commonly used. “A lot of people are in the habit of saying ‘I don’t go out in the sun. I go everywhere in my car and remain inside my office’ or ‘I’m a housewife and don’t go out much’. What they don’t realize is wherever they are they are exposed to the sun be it in the kitchen or in your car. Living in tropical countries like ours, we can’t escape the sun.”
There’s no harm in using make-up as long as you first know what your skin type is, he says, adding that as soon as one finishes work or anything you do during the day that requires make-up, make-up should be very thoroughly removed.
“Don’t be lazy and put it off to the next morning or even by an hour because the longer it stays on your skin the higher effects could be. Have it removed with a good cleanser. Once you remove the make-up your skin should be completely free of any chemicals. “Facials and other treatments women use to pamper their skin are alright but anything in excess is not required,” he stresses.
Patients come to dermatologists asking them not just to improve their looks but asking to be someone else. “I think it is our duty to tell people that we need to have realistic expectations. We can’t be someone else. But we can improve ourselves to be a unique person. We can enhance our looks but we shouldn’t try to change our looks.
“I get my knowledge from participating in medical conferences around the world. In medicine we can’t say we know everything. That’s why we say we are ‘practising’ medicine. There a lot of new technological improvements, new methods and we have to keep an open eye out for them. But I am a firm believer in this- your face and skin reflects your heart and soul. If you’re happy, kind and live in peace you will look more beautiful no matter how old you are,” concluded Dr. Desai.
Dr. Desai qualified in dermatology from T.N. Medical and Nair Hospital, Bombay University. He had undergone training in various fields of Cosmetic Dermatology and launched one of the first Aesthetic Laser Centres in Mumbai called SkinSense back in 2002. Dr. Desai has been very closely associated with Pacific Healthcare Singapore since 2000 and is their Director Indian Operations.