Skin pigmentation, a common problem
Pigmented patches and the deepening of their colour is among the most common challenges of Indian skin
The skincare wardrobe for 45-yearold Sarika Anand, whose pretty face is dotted with freckles and age spots, includes an SPF 90+ sunscreen, a good moisturiser, a scarf, sunglasses and a beach hat. “It is a constant run from the sun to avoid deepening the dark spots on my skin,” she tells us with a smile.
Call it pigmentation or hyper pigmentation. The melee of tiny brown patches on our skin is a generous gift of the tropics for most of us Indians dealing with the sunny smile every day.
UNDERSTANDING PIGMENTATION
Melanin, a naturally occurring pigment in our skin, deepens in colour on our faces and entire body, causing pigmentation. It could be a smattering of freckles across your chest, a pronounced deepening of patches on arms and legs or a cluster of sunspots across your face. These pigmented patches and the deepening of their colour are among the challenges of Indian skin.
As dermatologist Dr Madhuri Agarwal, founder and medical director, Yavana Aesthetics Clinic, in Mumbai, says, “Indian skin is more prone to pigmentation, than to wrinkles. Sun exposure brings with it two aspects: UVB rays that cause tanning and UVA rays that are responsible for pigmentation disorders. Add to that the pollution levels that wreak havoc on the skin, hormonal imbalance with age and other dynamics and poor skincare practices. Women are more prone to pigmentation than men as their skin is thinner and undergoes more hormonal variation.”
Dr Kiran Lohia, skin and cosmetic specialist of ISYA Aesthetic in Delhi, explains that the cumulative sun damage results in deepening of these spots. That’s because the skin becomes less resilient with age, and responds with more inflammation, which results in melanin deposition and pigmentation, and can start even in childhood,” she states. “Sunblock is recommended from age 4 to prevent cumulative sun damage and discoloration — a 100 per cent mineral sunblock with SPF 30 and UVA protection of at least pa ++.”
SKIN SAVIOURS
A multitude of organic brands advertise kumkumadi oil as the saviour for freckles, sun spots and other patchy areas on the skin. Vitamin C facials promise to relieve your skin of pigmentation too.
“Natural actives help with building skin resilience and lighten the pigmentation slightly, but cannot cure or give the same results as medical skincare,” explains Dr Kiran. Of course, this is also dependant on whether the pigmentation is deep rooted in the dermis and is stubborn, or if it is superficial and occurs in the epidermis, she adds. However, the skin specialist warns us that a layering of sunscreens of different SPF does not add up to a sunscreen of higher SPF. “Those prone to pigmentation especially must apply the lotion all over the exposed parts of the body too,” adds Dr Kiran. “Body skin is thicker; hence it can make do with a lower SPF.” So, what about the newly manufactured breed of anti-pollutants jostling for attention on shelves? “Antipollutants are useful as they help combat the impact of oxidative particles that cause blackheads, ageing and pigmentation,” adds the doctor. However, in addition to proper skincare routine through Vitamin C serums, an effective sunblock, and AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) help, one must incorporate the antioxidants and vitamins through your diet, by eating fresh fruits and vegetables. “Treatments such as microneedling, laser therapies including picosure and metabolic peels are good options, although these must be undertaken under the guidance of a dermatologist,” explains Dr Madhuri.
Dr Madhuri also reminds us to be patient. “Skincare yields results over a period, so be patient. It takes four to eight weeks to see appreciable results through treatments,” she adds, advising inclusions of fresh tomatoes and Vitamin C sources in the diet.
Indian skin is more prone to pigmentation, than to wrinkles. Sun exposure brings with it two aspects: UVB rays that cause tanning and UVA rays that are responsible for pigmentation disorders. Add to that the pollution levels that wreak havoc on the skin, hormonal imbalance with age and other dynamics and poor skincare practices. Women are more prone to pigmentation than men as their skin is thinner and undergoes more hormonal variation.
— DR MADHURI AGARWAL,
Every fairytale mostly ended on this high note — ... and they lived happily ever after! The notion that marriage would last forever was romantically highlighted through the ‘till death do us apart’ cliché.
How did this notion of a foreverkind-of-marriage begin? In the 1920s, when the world was caught in the throes of the Great Depression which eventually led to World War II in 1945, there was little joy outside of being married. And the movies during that era projected this girl meets boy, they fall in love, have a couple of misunderstandings and then all ends well as they marry and walk away into the sunset.
All iconic romantic films fed an entertainment starved and emotionally lonely audience this great myth of how marriage was the ultimate achievement and everything in one’s life would fall into place. The times were very conservative and the concept of divorce was virtually unheard so couples no matter how miserable they were, would pretend to be ‘blissfully happy’ to the world outside. This in turn made every other couple assume that in order to be happy, you had to stay married. And that’s how the big fat momentum.
lie, gained further
DIVORCE NO LONGER A STIGMA
Over the years, many brave women fought against the tyranny of staying married to men who made them terribly unhappy. The reverse is also possible and equally true. As society evolved and more women were encouraged to educate themselves and get financially independent, the concept of keeping up appearances no longer held weightage. This is not to say that there are no unhappy marriages or all married people are getting divorced, but it also true that then concept of the romantic one, who will be the only partner you have for the rest of your life, is no longer true. Today people are getting divorced, some more than once, and remarried without the fear of social stigma. Nobody cares beyond a point and even if they do, those getting divorced or remarried, don’t give a damn.
In fact, the concept of marriage itself no longer appeals to most Gen Z youth. With live-ins becoming the more practical way of life, most people are questioning the whole purpose of a legal document that gives a couple social sanctity to live together. People are
All iconic romantic films fed an entertainment starved and emotionally lonely audience this great myth of how marriage was the ultimate achievement and everything in one’s life would fall into place. Couples, no matter how miserable they were, would pretend to be ‘blissfully happy’ to the world outside. Not any more.
seeking more independence in their emotional lives too and don’t quite want to be answerable to their partners 24/7. So, even those in committed relationships seek to maintain their individuality by staying in their respective homes and meeting their partners a couple of times a week. In this way, there is no pressure to confirm to expectations or bend backwards to please your partner, because you are not joined at the hip. So, to reiterate, not everybody spends the rest of their lives with just one romantic partner as people evolve and so do their needs. What was once appealing about your partner may no longer captivate your attention as your emotional and mental requirements outgrow with time.
And, finding someone that fits the new you, by letting go of old worn-out associations, is the way forward.
As society evolved,
women are encouraged to educate themselves and get financially independent. The concept of keeping up appearances no
longer holds weightage. People
are getting divorced, some more than once, and remarried without the fear of
social stigma.