Feel Good Factor
CONSIDERED INSTRUMENTAL IN THE SUCCESS OF BOTOX IN INDIA, COSMETOLOGIST DR JAMUNA PAI TELLS YOU HOW MAKING SMALL CHANGES IN YOUR DAILY BEAUTY REGIME CAN WORK WONDERS. BY MRIDU RAI
In the year 2000, when Dr Jamuna Pai first introduced India to Botox, the concept of injecting your own face was considered simply ridiculous. “Women made all sorts of excuses such as saying ‘ I want to grow old gracefully’ and ‘ I don’t want to look plastic’,” says Dr Pai. Clearly, that was a long time ago. Over the last decade, skin care has become one of the fastest growing segments in the Indian beauty industry. “The increasing popularity of a number of cosmetic treatments is a clear indication of how women are becoming more and more experimental,” says Dr Pai who admits she was “passionate about looking good and being well- groomed from a very young age.” After graduating from medical school she took off for Manchester, UK, where she learned about beauty treatments and techniques before returning to India to start her own cosmetic clinic, Blush. Dr Pai quickly gained a following among SoBo socialites but it was only in 1994 when Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai, ( two of her clients) won the Miss Universe and Miss World crowns respectively that Dr Pai’s name was firmly established in the beauty firmament. Here she shares her tried and tested skin care tips for working women.
1 Act quick
When it comes to skincare, it’s always better to start early. Ageing may be inevitable but the rate of ageing is not. Antioxidants are one of the most effective ways of slowing the impact of free- radical damage. So whether taken orally or applied topically, they prove highly beneficial. Apart from topical creams and anti- ageing treatments it’s important to follow a healthy lifestyle which includes regular exercise and a nutritious diet routine.
2 Sun protection
Your skin tends to age quicker when exposed to the sun. Therefore, it’s essential to apply sun block daily regardless of the season. Even if you’re in office all day it’s good to have a layer of sun block on since it’s not enough to slather on SPF protection only for the outdoors. Sunscreen not only decreases tanning but also protects your skin from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun which gives your skin a dull and leathery appearance.
3 Skin treats
For women on- the- go, treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser treatments are ideal as they don’t have any down time. Using a radio frequency device is another option to achieve firmer looking skin. If a particular treatment requires one to be out of social circulation for a few days, it’s important to know about it beforehand. Some treatments are lunch time procedures and don’t leave behind tell- tale signs but others can result in some redness of the treated area, a bit of swelling or flaking of skin.
4 Eat right
When someone tells you that your face is a reflection of what you eat, believe them. Your daily diet does indeed determine the condition of your skin. Just as oily food leads to skin breakouts, a nutritious diet results in a healthy and radiant skin. Don’t make erratic working hours an excuse for not eating right.
5 Say no to stress
Stress not only affects your mental health but your skin’s health as well. Cortisol, the hormone related to stress, is your skin’s worst enemy that accelerates the process of ageing. Cortisol levels rise as we get older. This means that the more stressed you are, the quicker the ageing process begins. Try yoga and deep breathing techniques. There are many more ways to de- stress. Balancing work and home can be tough but it’s perfectly okay to slow down from to time.
6 Early to bed
Apart from work, being organised can be good for your skin’s health as well. Sleeping and waking up early is the best way of maintaining peace of mind, staying fit and active and getting that natural glow back. Both your body and mind relax best at night so ensure that you get eight hours of priceless sleep on a daily basis. Remember that it’s the easiest and most natural way to having a healthy skin. You may have to pull an all- nighter at work at times but don’t make this a regular habit. Your skin will thank you for it.
7 The whole package
Your face might be your biggest asset but you should also care for your neck, hands and feet exactly as you do for your face. When it comes to skincare, it’s the whole package that counts. Do not forget to apply moisturiser on all these areas post your cleansing routine. Use an antioxidant serum under your sun protection moisturiser everyday.
8 Cleanse
Cleansing helps to remove dust, dirt and excessive sebum from the face. Therefore when not done properly, it can lead to bacteria build up and eventually to skin breakouts. The cleansing process is indispensable for those who mostly work outdoors. Always use a make- up remover before going to bed. Don’t substitute a cleanser for a make- up remover.
9 Moisturise
With age, skin starts losing its water content resulting in a decrease in elasticity. Sitting in an air- conditioned office all day also tends to steal natural moisture from the skin. The best way to combat this is by using good moisturising products. Use them on damp skin as the skin can absorb it better and for longer.
10 Exfoliate
The dead skin that builds up on the surface of your skin not only prevents light from reflecting, thus making it look unhealthy, but also stops the healthy active ingredients in certain skin care products from being absorbed. Prevent this by exfoliating on a regular basis.