Dr. Harshna Bijlani, Medical Head of The AgeLess Clinic & Celebrity Skin Expert talks about Anti-ageing and what are the different extrinsic and intrinsic causes ageing.
Some of the topics discussed: Causes of ageing or accelerated ageing Concept of Micro-ageing How to slow down your ageing process Relation between weight-loss and ageing
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Does the sun really damage your skin and accelerate ageing? If yes how and how much. We ask Dr.Harshna Bijlani, Medical Head of The Ageless Clinic all about Sun Damage and what you can do to reverse it.
What is sun damage? How does it happen? Sun damage is the damage caused to your skin due to direct and indirect exposure to the sun. Direct exposure is when you’re outdoors or out in the sun, indirect exposure is when the sun is penetrating through the windows or you’re in a semi-sheltered area. We may think that we’re protected from the sun when we’re in a car, inside the house, at work and so on. However, that’s not the case, even indirect exposure to UVA UVB rays that penetrate through large glass windows can cause sun damage.
What does it look like? Are there different ways in which different people show signs of sun damage? Direct or indirect exposure of the skin to the sun can damage your skin in multiple ways. We know the most prominent damage which is sun burns, but a number of skin concerns can be attributed to sun exposure. UVA UVB rays can cause to the skin in the form of pigmentation, tanning, freckles, sun spots, dehydrated skin and even cause photoageing – which is damage to your collagen which can further cause fine lines and wrinkles.
How does it affect the collagen and result in problems such as wrinkles and thinning skin? Ageing takes place in two ways – one is the intrinsic ageing process (from within) of the body, marked by gradual loss of collagen, thinner, less supple skin, etc., caused by genetics, lifestyle, age, diet and so on. The second is extrinsic ageing which is accelerated due to sun exposure and generally marked by thicker leather like skin, pigmentation, fine lines and so on.
Should one be worried about every freckle that pops up? A lot of individuals, especially with lighter skin are genetically predisposed to freckles, that’s nothing to worry about. Sun exposure tends to make freckles darker or increase them in number, if you’re predisposed to freckles make sure you have adequate sun protection and cover up as much as you can in the sun. Freckles are normally 1mm-2 mm in size and tan, slightly reddish. While the appearance of freckles are not a cause of concern, make sure you observe any changes in the size and colour and if you notice any dramatic changes, get it checked by your skin doctor.
Can sun damage be reversed? Sun damage can be reversed but it also depends on the extent of sun damage your skin has been subjected to. Superficial sun damage is easier to treat, however deeper sun damage may be harder to treat, especially in older individuals. Long-term sun damage would definitely affect your skin health and quality, making it harder to reverse. Protective and controlled sun exposure, a high intake of anti-oxidants and a good skincare routine and treatment plan can help partially reverse the signs of sun damage.
What are the effective treatments that can help do so and how do they work on sun damage? Some of the treatments that can help reverse the sun damage are peels, anti-oxidant infusing facials, vitamin booster IV drips, pigmentation lasers like PicoSure, resurfacing lasers like CO2 or glass laser and various collagen boosting treatments like radio frequency, ultrasound and so on to help boost the production of collagen. You can even look for collagen moisturisers and consider fillers and BOTOX that in combination with lasers can help give you a younger appearance.
Does retinol work? But it’s also photoreactive, so how should it be used right? Retinol is derivative of vitamin A, not to be confused with Isotretinoin. Retinol comes in various strengths ranging from 0.5% to 2% and works very well for anti-ageing and acne. While it gives some great results for acne and anti-ageing it also makes your skin highly photo-sensitive so you need to be careful while using retinol. Do not use retinol during the day and if you’re going on any beach vacation or visiting a tropical place with high and continuous sun exposure, maybe avoid using your retinol products for a couple of days while on the trip. If you’re someone who’s job or daily commute subjects you to high sun exposure, make sure you cover up and use proper sunscreen.
How can you prevent sun damage in the first place? What are the different ways? The only way to prevent sun damage is to properly protect your skin from sun exposure and have as limited sun exposure as possible. The number 1 rule to prevent sun damage is covering up – make sure you wear full clothing to prevent direct skin exposure, wear a light full sleeved top if possible, wear sunglasses and a hat if you can or carry a parasol/umbrella to protect yourself from the sun rays. Make sure you wear a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or more, with a PA rating of 4 pluses, touch up every 2-3hours and make sure it suits your skin type
Does a good diet help in reduces sun damage? Do antioxidant-rich food items help with the skin in this case? Anti-oxidants protect the skin by reducing and counteracting free radical production. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to our cells in the form of oxidative stress. Anti-oxidant foods definitely help in reducing the sun damage and reducing oxidative stress which in turn help fight against ageing and pigmentation. Eating antioxidant rich fruits with a high water content will also help keep your skin and body hydrated. Try and add tomatoes, broccoli, barley, berries, melons, etc. to your daily diet and keep hydrating yourself.
When it comes to anti-ageing, every treatment is touted to be the “most amazingly great awesome super results ever” making a very important choice of what treatment should you opt for even more confusing and complicated.
So, we thought let’s do an expert-recommended best of the best anti-ageing treatment list, that is backed not only by people satisfied and happy with the results but also those most recommended and advised for all skin types and conditions by actual experts in the field.
Before we start the top list, you should know that skin ageing is 3 dimensional, it happens to our skin, our face muscles as well as due to loss of natural fat, so choosing a treatment needs that kind of selection as well.
SKIN CHANGES DUE TO AGEING
As we age, collagen and elastin proteins slow down their production, and eventually, even repair of existing collagen becomes very difficult. Other ageing-related skin concerns like pigmentation, fine lines, dehydration, and age spots start showing on the skin surface making skin ageing a very visible experience.
As we age, collagen and elastin proteins slow down their production, and eventually, even repair of existing collagen becomes very difficult. Other ageing-related skin concerns like pigmentation, fine lines, dehydration, and age spots start showing on the skin surface making skin ageing a very visible experience.
SKIN CHANGES DUE TO FACE MUSCLES
We use our facial muscles for everything from talking, to expressions, to eating and even crying or laughing, so they are an overworked bunch. Due to this constant use these muscles also start getting stretched out and slackened. These effects are seen with the formation of deep folds and grooves that get deeper combined with the loss of collagen and other skin ageing signs.
SKIN CHANGES DUE TO FAT LOSS
Our face (especially cheeks) has natural fat pads that keep the face looking firm and youthful. As we age, there is a loss of volume in these pads causing the cheeks to slide downwards, creating bulges and once again combined with the muscle and skin changes, the ageing due to fat loss start showing up as a distinct sign of ageing.
So choosing a treatment that is anti-ageing depends a lot on why your skin ageing is accelerating – is it a loss of volume…or your skin texture is changing… or lines and wrinkles are deepening despite having great skin tone or a combination of these.
TOP TREATMENTS FOR AGEING SKIN
Peels – as we age our skin turnover (the rate or speed at which skin regenerates itself) slows down, causing a pileup of dead skin on the surface. If there is no proper removal of this dead skin, younger and fresher skin cannot emerge. Peels are a great way to remove dead skin by dissolving them and accelerating skin turnover. The great part about peels is that we can mix and match different types of peel ingredients to customize your anti-ageing cure – from glycolic to mandelic to tranexemic… there is a peel for every skin condition out there.
Laser treatments – Laser light produces a thermal (heating) effect on the skin which re-stimulates the production of skin proteins as well as evens out signs of ageing like pigmentation and age spots. There are different laser treatments that work either alone or in combination to help skin textural solutions.
Some e.g. are – Er:YAG (Glass) laser to smoothen and even out fine lines and early wrinkles, Pico lasers for restimulation of collagen, Nd: YAG lasers to remove unwanted melanin and pigmentation spots, etc.
Light treatments – apart from Laser there are other light treatments like IPL (intense pulsed light), LED light (especially Infrared and Red Light therapy) that work amazingly on skin ageing.
RF – or Radio Frequency is the superstar anti-ageing treatment, which works instantly to restart collagen regrowth as well as stimulate other needed skin agents to reverse ageing like fibroblasts, elastin, and growth factors. There are many different variations of RF available, one of the most sought after is the RF under eye treatment to help with crow’s feet and fine lines around the eyes. However, not all RF treatments are approved for the treatment of under eyes, so keep that in mind while discussing your options with your skin doctor.
Which RF treatment (unipolar, multipolar, etc) may be best suited to your anti-ageing needs can be customized as well.
PRP – is the must-try anti-ageing treatment if you are looking for long-lasting effects – Platelets are our blood’s healing agents that once isolated into Plasma and reintroduced into the skin via injectables can restimulate the stem cells within our blood to repair and reorganize all required factors to combat all signs of ageing.
PRF – PRP has been the gold standard for plasma therapy for Aesthetics for quite some time. However, with ongoing research and trials, advances in this field have introduced a new and much more enhanced treatment which is the next generation of Plasma treatment called PRF or Platelet Rich Fibrin.
Fibrin is the protein within our blood that prevents clotting and gives strength and structure.PRF is also derived from your own blood – simple as doing a blood test. However, the results and treatment experience are far superior than PRP. The biggest reason why PRF is more effective than PRP is that it releases more growth factors over time which means that it continues working for you even after the procedure is done + it’s much less painful.
Why pick PRF over PRP:
More natural, no additive anti-coagulants Dramatically less painful Superior Results
Collagen Moisturiser – We all use a moisturizer on the surface of our skin but what about the moisturizing it needs from within? Enter Volite® – an International favourite for Hydration & Glow that lasts up to 9 months after a single treatment. This amazing collagen moisturizer has Clinical studies that show improved skin quality in 96% of the patients and a 91% patient satisfaction. Volite works from within to hydrate your skin and boost collagen production, making it an amazing treatment for anti-ageing as well as hydration and glow.
TREATMENTS THAT WORK ON AGEING DUE TO MUSCLE
HIFU – HIFU stands for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, which is a variation of Ultrasound that works on sound waves stimulating and tightening skin and muscle texture. Unlike other treatments, Ultrasound is the only technology that can penetrate till the muscle layer and so can both tighten and strengthen the muscle tissue.
Microcurrent – this is a long-tested and proven treatment to tighten loose muscles as well as relax clenched knotted ones. Microcurrent delivers microscopic levels of electric currents directly to the muscle to start making it work out and regain its strength and firmness. It can be used in combination with any facial, making it a very accessible and cost-effective option that delivers fantastic results.
Botox – signs of ageing due to drooping muscles cause visible lines and wrinkles on the surface – Botox is a safe (when done by a licensed and trained Doctor) option to consider for forehead, brow and other muscle-related signs of ageing. Due to it being a muscle relaxer, Botox slows down the activity done by the muscle, ensuring the surrounding skin is not stretched and overworked too, while also preventing further lines and wrinkles from forming.
TREATMENTS THAT WORK ON FAT LOSS
Fat in the face should not be confused with collagen (which is a protein). While fat loss on the body gives you a toned and trim appearance, age-related fat loss on the face, makes your cheeks look sunken, eyes looking hollow and your jawline drooping with bags of fat.
While all treatments can and do work on energizing and reinvigorating collagen (which is the main building block for youthful skin) we need to support the fat pads undergoing loss of volume with injectables to support the collagen gain as well, making it a multipronged antiageing treatment.
Fillers – Fillers are the term used for dermal fillers made of hyaluronic acid that are injected into hollow areas of the face or body to literally fill them back up. These are safe to be put into your skin as they are bio-degradable and get absorbed into your body and eliminated in time just as any natural substance already present in your skin. Most fillers use Hyaluronic acid, which is biocompatible with our skin and gets absorbed and adjusted without any negative effects. Fillers also help boost collagen while filling the area to help your skin appear tighter from within.
Fillers can be done to support fat and volume loss on the cheeks, lips, around the mouth, under the eyes, neck and jawline and even on the nose to give your face the perfect symmetry and volume it has lost due to ageing. In fact, fillers can also be used on your hands to reduce the appearance of veiny hands and to compensate for the loss of volume from the back of your hands.
Thread Lifts – the non-surgical alternative to plastic surgery to lift slack skin due to loss of collagen, muscle weakness as well as fat loss, this is a minimally invasive and immediate way to get a youthful appearance without subjecting your face to the scalpel.
Thread lifts insert in suture (same material as used in surgical threads) to specific areas of the cheeks and sides to form scaffolding pillars to tired and drooping fat pads and muscles. Once supported by threads, they start to reorganize collagen around the threads, causing biostimulation of the skin to turn around the signs of ageing.
BOTTOM LINE
As you can now see, skin ageing is a 3-tiered issue and requires a deep understanding to identify correctly and then set out on a course of treatments that are a power-packed combination of 2 or more of the abovementioned treatments.
We will need different treatments that are termed anti-ageing as years progress and our skin reacts not to internal ageing but the harsher external factors like sun damage, stress, pollution and whatnot. So, this should be an ever-evolving choice, but a well-informed one at that.
If you would like to discuss your choice of anti-ageing treatments with our Doctors, you can book your consultation via: Call: +91 2242792222 Whatsapp: +91 7900166222 Email: wecare@theagelessclinic.com
As the skincare world is climbing to new heights with the constant desire of any individual to meet their definitions of ‘beautiful’, this industry is leaving no stone unturned to touch new horizons that benefits both – customers and merchandisers.
For the Ancient Egyptian, the passion and fetish for skincare, too, knew no boundaries. It is even said that Cleopatra used to bathe in milk rich in Lactic Acid to be the owner of good skin. Inspired by ancient traditions, the newest entry into the skincare industry is that of ‘Probiotics and Prebiotics’, which are actually not new in the world of healthcare.
Unmasking the World of Probiotics & Prebiotics Skin Probiotics is taking centre stage in many people’s skin routine now. A host of microbial ecosystems reside in our skin that actually promotes skin health. Dr. Harshna Bijlani, Celebrity Skin Expert and Medical Head of ‘The Ageless Clinic’, tells us, “Your skin too, like the rest of your body, has its own microbiome (mix of bacteria, yeasts and parasites). Adding probiotics to skincare helps balance the counter effects of unhealthy microorganisms and promotes a fine level of healthy microorganisms.” The constant use of harsh facial cleansers and antibacterial soaps strip our skin of these good bugs, probably, yes as these products cannot branch the difference between ‘friendly’ and ‘non-friendly’ microbes. This bacterial imbalance seems to lead to various skin-related problems.
Orveda Probiotic Prebiotic skincare
Although Probiotic skincare remains the prime talk in the industry, its comrade ‘Prebiotics’ has started to make its presence prominent among the ones mastering the act of skincare regimes. Dr. Jaishree Sharad, Celebrity dermatologist and author of ‘Skin Rules’ and ‘Skin Talks’, says, “Though Probiotics are viable micro-organisms that have a beneficial effect on the natural microflora of the skin when either consumed orally or applied topically, Prebiotics are the food ingredients required by probiotics for the growth of these viable microorganisms.”
Enter: Skincare Pro/Pre Biotics We all know about the presence of probiotics and its behaviour of a ‘good Samaritan’ in our guts. There is a whole troop of topical beauty products like cleansers, moisturisers and serums, with the inclusion of these friendly bacteria and hyaluronic acid, retinol and vitamins to name a few that promise to soothe inflammation, strengthen the skin’s barrier and even diminish acne. Dr. Bijlani further enlightens, “It’s really difficult for a skincare product to contain actual live bacteria. They mostly contain fragments of bacterial cell walls that can elicit an immune response. This is due to the fact that skincare products need longer shelf-lives as compared to consumable probiotics.” Of course, skincare products have to stand out from the ones used in food and supplements. Very often, the incorporation of these biotics for topical regimes is considered a luxury investment. What makes them so variant and pricey? Dr. Sharad enlightens, “The probiotics for gut microbes need the prebiotics to be resisted to being digested in the stomach. So to skip this step, including prebiotics and probiotics in topical cosmetic formulations is a wiser choice. Formulating these into hardcore cosmetics is very difficult since all measures have to be taken to make sure the live microbes survive in the products and hence have a longer expiration date. These things make it more expensive than easy oral formulations.”
Cultivating the skin’s good bacteria is the newest friend of beauty and skincare world. Certain probiotic ingredients such as lactobacillus ferment are believed to have been quietly used as skin soothers. Dr. Bijlani shares, “Probiotics and Prebiotics have entered skincare only in the last few years. Probiotics help strengthen the skin’s barrier by making sure the healthy bacteria are more abundant and the negative effects of the unhealthy bacteria are controlled, which would, in turn, help with the concerns of acne, eczema, inflammation and so on. Also, every individual’s level of microorganisms present on their skin is different so probiotics aren’t always ‘one-size-fits-all’. Hence, like in the case of any skincare product, it’s better to proceed with caution, start using only one new skincare product at a time and make sure it suits your skin. Make sure the product you’re selecting has other active ingredients that complement the probiotics and the product is gentle on your skin.”
If one has to open the door of skincare products, there would be a flood of various brands with all kinds of ingredients and packaging that would seem beneficial to your skin. Although pre/probiotics might seem like a new chapter, there are already in-reign houses and labels catering to this genre of skincare. Aurelia’s Cell Revitalise night moisturiser was one of the first luxury British brands to actively pioneer probiotics. Orveda is an entire luxury skincare house dedicated to the world of ‘goodness’ of prebiotics. This new genre of skincare also has L’Oréal-owned Vichy’s Slow Age cream moisturiser and serum that has a probiotic complex to defend skin from the daily stress; Dior’s Hydra Life range – including the refreshing Deep Hydration Sorbet Water Essence, containing natural ingredients that nurture the skin’s microflora; and Lancôme’s Advanced Génifique sensitive dual concentrate serum has a trio of probiotic ingredients, to fight skin irritation and many more.
In this ever-increasing pool of skincare products, the usage has always been a trial method at first. With new elements incorporated in each piece, a consumer goes through a hard time selecting them Concern and caution should always be exercised. Dr. Sharad advises, “If these products work, it’s an addition to skin health. It’s definitely worth a try. However, none of them can be used in immunosuppressed, neutropenic or patients having major allergic reactions to dairy, soy, gluten, eggs or lactose. For acne-prone skin, using applications containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium Bifidus is important. Lactococcus Ferment Lysate is a good bacteria for sensitive skin. For oily skin – use a Lactobacillus or Nitrosomonas Eutropha based probiotic and a glycolic based combination that will balance the pH and act as an anti-inflammatory and mild anti-bacterial; for combination skin – use Lactobacillus, Lactic Acid and Vitamin C based products.”
Skin’s Flora Cultivation – Worth it? Nothing matters than a flawless and happy skin that can make you garner everyone’s praises. The incorporation of topical biomes through the application of creams and supplements, however, is still a new world and an ongoing process of research. So until then, aren’t we all entitled to these new topical applications? Dr. Bijlani clarifies, “In theory, it’s a great concept and it’s definitely an interesting trend. However, I would like to wait until there’s more extensive research done on these ingredients to recommend them for any medical concerns.”
Science and technology know no boundaries. So feeding one’s face with goodies for the love of glowing skin is taking on a new cruise. Until then, patience and pondering over the question “Is the latest ‘good bug’ cultivation the future of beauty and skincare or is it another marketing strategy?” should be promising enough.
This multi-tasking elixir truly does it all, and here’s everything you need to know about it
Think of a more decadent, more restorative skin care staple than a facial oil—I’ll wait. In the past, Cleopatra is said to have gravitated towards olive and sesame oils, more recently Miranda Kerr has pledged allegiance to noni fruit and rosehip oils, and Kim Kardashian touts Epicuren Discovery Bulgarian Rose Otto oil as one of her “most fave products in the world!” Sure, slathering oil on, say your acne-prone complexion or super sensitive skin, may seem counterintuitive, but it isn’t. Or maybe you feel the roster of options are too confusing, it’s definitely not. Incorporating the right option in your daily beauty regime is one of the best practices you can follow to expect an off-the-charts level of glow.
If you’re on the lookout for a powerhouse ingredient to hydrate and protect your skin, while feeding it with antioxidants, sea buckthorn oil might be just for you. Ahead, two dermatologists walk you through the pros and pitfalls of using this elixir, how to use it, and the best products to try.
What is sea buckthorn oil? “Contrary to what the name suggests, sea buckthorn oil is not derived from the sea,” explains Dr Harshna Bijlani, celebrity skin expert and medical head, The Ageless Clinic. “It is a red-orange oil derived from Serbian pineapple a.k.a seaberry which is a flowering plant that produces these special orange berries. Sea buckthorn oil is extracted from the berries, leaves, and seeds of the sea buckthorn plant,” Dr Bijlani adds. The shrub commonly grows in Europe, the Caucasus, Asia Minor and Central Asia, Siberia, China, and Tibet.
What can it do for your skin? There is some research that suggests sea buckthorn oil’s efficacy for lowering blood pressure, control diabetes and cholesterol and aid in age-related concerns when ingested, but larger clinical studies are needed to solidify these claims. Sea buckthorn oil’s dermatological and cosmeceutical applications, in contrast, are safe and effective.
Deliver intense hydration: “Sea buckthorn is one among a handful of oils that contains all four types of omega fatty acids—omega-3, omega-6, omega-7 and omega-9, making it a great oil to strengthen the skin barrier, especially when one needs intense hydration. It is especially beneficial for those suffering from psoriasis and eczema as it provides deep hydration and prevents moisture loss,” shares Dr Bijlani.
Rich in antioxidants: “Sea buckthorn has 10 times more vitamin C than an orange and is known to have a gamut of various other antioxidants like vitamin A, alpha and beta-carotenoids, vitamins B1, B2, and B6, vitamin E, fatty acid, flavonoids and so much more,” says Dr Bijlani.
Alleviate skin regeneration: “Being loaded in various vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds, sea buckthorn oil is known to boost your skin health when applied directly. Studies show that the oil has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties can stimulate skin regeneration, helping wounds heal more quickly,” elaborates Dr Prajakta Kulkarni, a Pune-based aesthetic physician and medical cosmetologist.
Protection against environmental aggressors: “Sea buckthorn oil also helps reduce inflammation following UV exposure, protecting skin against sun damage and pollution. Being a host of vitamin C and E and carotenoids, sea buckthorn oil is a protective and preventative ingredient. It can neutralize skin-damaging free radicals and reduce the signs of ageing such as the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” suggests Dr Kulkarni. Basically, sea buckthorn oil is the new glow-getter of your dreams.
Who should avoid using it? Dr Bijlani points out that sea buckthorn oil is essentially safe for most skin types, and isn’t pore-clogging in and of itself. “That being said, it is a heavy oil, and hence, might be problematic for those with oily or acne-prone skin. As with any new product or skincare ingredient, I always recommend doing a patch test before using it.”
How can you incorporate sea buckthorn oil in your skincare routine? “Sea buckthorn oil is quite versatile and can be mixed with most skincare products. If you’re incorporating it in your skincare routine, you can mix it with your moisturiser in the morning or right after your serum at night. I would recommend using it at night rather than morning (as in case of most face oils) and always remember your lighter products go in first, followed then by heavier and oil based products. Also, always use your actives (products with active ingredients) first and moisturisers later,” explains Dr Bijlani.
For those who’d like to customise their own sea buckthorn oil-infused concoction, Dr Kulkarni recommends, “Mix it with creamy shea butter and some drops of calendula oil and apply onto dry skin. Combine it with some argan oil for a blend that will help improve skin collagen, control sebum production, fade wrinkles and fine lines.”
The best sea buckthorn oil products you can try
The Ordinary 100% Organic Virgin Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil
Plum Grape Seed & Sea Buckthorn Glow-Restore Face Oils Blend
Farmacy Honey Grail Ultra-Hydrating Facial Oil
Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil
Grown Alchemist Antioxidant Facial Oil Jim Wilde
Living Libations Best Skin Ever Seabuckthorn Facial Cleansing Oil
Neemli Naturals Pomegranate and Sea Buckthorn Body Oil
Whoever said the answer to clear and glowing skin lies in a chemical peel, really knew what they were talking about. Over the last decade, this once scary sounding procedure has gained popularity like a TikTok celebrity. Chemical peels and acids are probably the quickest way to make your skin feel and look good. And the best part? There’s literally a peel out there for every skin concern –– yes, every skin concern. While at-home peels and acids really do serve their purpose well (we’re looking at you AHA/BHA peel), it’s actually the in-clinic treatments that work visible miracles in a jiffy. In-clinic chemical peels and its respective posse of acids all come in different strengths that penetrate through different layers of your skin. It depends on various factors including the concentration of the ingredients, skin texture and thickness, and the purpose of the peel. Think of it as a hierarchy in an office –– you have the mild peels who are the juniors and meet the most basic job requirements, then you have the medium peels that are little more experienced and can tackle way more than the juniors, and lastly, you have deep peels who are the superbosses that truly mean business. Now, which one you choose to use depends on the intensity of your requirements and how quickly you want them.
What: Mild & Superficial Peels
Who: Everyone
In detail: These are exfoliating peels that remove dead skin from the surface. This is done by gently dissolving your skin’s glues that keep dead skin stuck to the fresh skin. By using a mild peel, you break down that glue and remove the dead skin and encourage healthier growth. They mostly contain fermented fruit acids such as apples, sugarcane, grapes, and milk acids such as lactose and salicylic from birch extracts.
Popular choice:
Lactic – A mild exfoliant, lactic acid peels do not penetrate deep into the skin and is therefore a great starter peel! It barely irritates the skin and is known to be compatible with every skin type out there, including sensitive skin. Its main job is to brighten and hydrate.
Glycolic – Concentration is key with this one –– the higher the concentration the more this peel can move into the deep peels category. But if you want just basic exfoliation, then in smaller concentrations glycolic will do the trick.
BHA (salicylic) – If you’re suffering from acne-prone, oily skin then BHAs such as salicylic acid work wonders for the skin. BHAs are oil dissolving, which means they effectively remove and cleanse oils and bacteria that lurk within your pores. It’s anti-inflammatory too, which means bye bye pimples!
What: Medium peels
Who: Deep treatment for pigmentation, uneven texture, premature signs of ageing, damaged skin
In detail: These peels are like those best friends who try and solve your issues at a deeper level (not just the surface). They take care of your pigmentation, even out your skin’s texture, and rebuild collagen and elastic, that renews your skin’s elasticity. If you tend to get bogged down by pollution, smoking, or free radicals, then medium peels are great to combat damaged skin. Since they are a tad intense and need more down time, they need to be carried out by professionals and are only done under medical supervision.
Popular choice:
TCA Peels – Meet TCA, aka its formal name Trichloroacetic Acid. TCA peels take on the responsibility of reducing pigmentation marks, sun damage, acne scars, and line and wrinkles.
Jessner’s Peel – This peel isn’t a one-size fit all kind of peel. Modified versions of this peel are used to tackle different skin conditions –– it comprises a mix of lactic and salicylic acids, and resorcinol in different concentrations. In fact, most doctors make their own concoctions by adding other acids to make the peel stronger and more potent.
What: Deep peels
Who: A prescribed treatment for underlying skin issues like deep lines and wrinkles
In detail: These peels are mean, and they mean business. They don’t faff about, they get straight to the point. Deep peels penetrate into the deepest and most sensitive areas of the skin. Because of their potent nature, they are only done under the supervision of a doctor –– with a proper pre and post care routine in place.
Popular choice:
Phenol Peel – This scary sounding peel is the MVP of peels. It’s strong and provides dramatic results. However, it usually doesn’t get along with darker skin tones, as the chances of hyperpigmentation due to inflammations are a higher risk.
Cosmelan Peel – The true depigmentation peel, Cosmelan easily takes care of all those pesky pigmentation marks, acne marks and scars. It’s powers are still unmatched! It dives deep into the layers of your skin and treats melasma, inflammatory pigmentation, age spots, and freckles. It’s in-demand across the globe and is the best-seller peel in aesthetic clinics worldwide.
Due to its potent nature, chemical peels often tend to get a bad reputation. Thanks to the word ‘chemical’ everyone assumes that this skincare MVP is somewhat of an antagonist for your skincare’s love story. But that is not the case. If done correctly and by trained professionals, you will be able to understand how effective each and every peel is –– depending on its concentration and how deep it penetrates into your skin. Not all of them cause you to peel and shed like a snake, and even if you do, know that it’s for the best (and in the long run, you’ll be happy you did). If you’re looking for results, chemical peels are the best way forward –– if you choose wisely and carry it out with an expert, you won’t regret your decision!
To learn more about peels or to book your consultation with our doctors:
Sneaky advertising gimmicks and how to suss them out A life without unwanted body hair –– sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Well, while there are several hair removal methods, most of them do not entail a stubble-free life for long. The solution? Laser! This relatively permanent hair removal method doesn’t just bid farewell to razor burns, and painful monthly waxes but even unsightly ingrown hairs. With the gain in popularity however, it is now being treated as child’s play by many––which often leads to disappointing results––giving laser hair removal a bad reputation. But, before you gather your pennies for this treatment anywhere, make sure you’ve covered all your bases. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Think of this as your nerdy cheat sheet to laser hair removal and its workings, just so that you’re not duped into another marketing gimmick!
Gimmick – When is “Full body” not actually a full body package?
Truth – Never assume that ‘full body’ means that you’re getting a full body package. On further interrogation you’ll find that some of the larger chains that use this gimmick (no name calling here, but you know who they are), will offer 4 or 6 or 8 body parts in the name of full body. Full body laser hair removal should mean you’re getting the treatment from forehead to toe –– and you need to make sure of it. When you enquire, understand what you’re getting from the amount you’re paying.
Gimmick – 1-2 laser sessions are enough
Truth – Your hair doesn’t grow together, each single hair grows at its own pace. In order to destroy it from its root it needs to be trapped at its peak (the growth stage). Now, imagine doing that for each hair on the body. Yes, it’ll take more than 1-2 sessions to get results –– that’s why you require multiple treatments, depending on the density, thickness, and colour of your hair and skin. Normally, you require around 6 sessions to see optimal results, due to the normal hair growth cycle.
Gimmick – Claiming to use a laser hair removal device that’s “painless” and using numbing cream instead
Truth – Have you ever been told ‘our LHR device is painless’, only to find yourself slathered in a thick layer of numbing cream for 20 minutes before the session? Guess what, this means the laser is NOT painless, as the numbing cream is working its magic and reducing the pain so that your session is bearable.
Gimmick – As long as there’s a cool tip on the laser & cold gel is applied – it must be painless
Truth – That’s not the truth and don’t let anyone fool you! A cool tip does make laser more tolerable, however, it is in itself not the definition of a truly painless hair removal device. The latest generations of painless LHR devices are ‘in-motion’ devices, which basically means the handpiece is used to deliver a particular amount of energy per grid aka the surface area. These hand pieces also have cooling tips –– so the combination of in-motion technology and a cooling tip makes the entire procedure truly painless as promised.
Gimmick – All devices are equal – so there’s no need to pay for a more expensive technology
Truth – No not all! Just like every other thing money can buy –– shoes, bags, cars, devices –– you usually get what you pay for. Different devices have different factors that determine the pricing of it and the sessions –– USS FDA approvals, safety, efficacy, and the type of device are a few factors. The price varies from $1000 to $100,000 and it all depends on the quality of materials, device parts, LED source, etc. When you opt for a lower end device, you compromise on the results, safety, and outcome. Rule of thumb? Laser Hair Removal is abou long term results, so going for the cheapest offer or device is counterintuitive. Do your homework, spend a little bit more for better technology –– don’t put a price on safety, TBH.
Gimmick – IPL is the same as lasers used for hair removal
Truth – IPL or intense pulse light is a band of light, not a focused beam as in lasers used for hair removal. It doesn’t have the energy that a laser does. Using IPL could give results on light hair and skin, but it doesn’t on brown or darker skin types. As a matter of fact, it could even be damaging – it could cause burns, pigmentation and no change in hair growth. You will often find your local salons or parlours offering laser hair removal, which could actually be IPL and not laser. And the results delivered by IPL for hair removal don’t even provide a fraction of the results a good quality laser can provide.
Gimmick – Get at home IPL Laser Hair Removal’ devices for just Rs 5,000-Rs 10,000 online
Truth – No. No. No. You’ll see the ads, you’ll get tempted by the sales but buying a laser hair removal device off of Amazon, Flipkart, or Skinstore is an absolute hell no! There is nothing like an IPL laser hair removal device! So stop getting duped into this gimmick. Repeat after us, IPL does not equal laser especially on Indian skintones so if you really want to go hair-free, just book an appointment at a reputed clinic rather than wasting your dough on something pointless!
Heading for a laser hair removal consultation? Bookmark these when you head there. You will need to figure out if you’re suitable for the procedure. Laser works best on those with light to brown skin and thick, dark hair phew if you’re Indian. If you have blonde or light-coloured hair, it might not work. Secondly, you need to do a patch test before opting for a laser. Why? To understand how your body will react –– make sure it’s the same device you’re choosing for the sessions, though. Thirdly, hormonal imbalances and medication trigger hair growth. Inform your provider if you have imbalances such as PCOD or other medical information, to understand how your body could react to the laser. Lastly, ask about the technology –– if you can cut down your treatment time using technologically advanced lasers (the Alma Soprano Titanium® for example has a treatment tip that is 4x bigger than the average in the market – making the treatment much faster than its counterparts), do it! Laser hair removal is probably the best way to say goodbye to a truckload of mess and fuss. However, you need to ensure that it’s done safely and by a reputable provider –– so before you fall for marketing gimmicks, false advertising, and silly deals, make sure to keep this little cheat sheet in mind!
To book your FREE no-obligation consultation & patch test with our doctors:
One of the more confusing skin conditions is suddenly seeing a breakout of acne once you think your pesky adolescent years are behind you. This a very common situation called Adult Acne and is quite different from the acne that is part of growing years.
HOW IS ADULT ACNE DIFFERENT FROM TEEN ACNE?
Teen acne is triggered by puberty changes in the body – primarily the androgen hormones like testosterone which are directly linked to stimulating an increase in oil production on the skin which leads to clogged pores filled with bacteria. The level of production of these hormones and oil is also dependent on genetics so these two factors are ideally the main reasons behind teen acne.
Adult acne is mainly caused by
TRIGGERS like lifestyle, stress, etc. often activate the cortisol hormone (increasing the oil or sebum production), this coupled with exposure to pollution and free radical damage result in oily surfaces where dirt and contaminants get trapped making the skin appear grimy and blocking pores.
Also, women are more prone to adult acne due to other hormonal fluctuations, like around their periods, during or post pregnancy and even during menopause. Adult acne can also be a side effect of an incorrect diet, lifestyle, certain medication as well as an allergic reaction to skincare that doesn’t agree with your skin. Certain steroids, birth control, stress and even sleeping aids can cause acne as a side effect.
Due to the suddenness of adult acne, most people are caught unaware and tend to use emergency (and highly concentrated) acne medication which leads to further inflammation and can cause another chain of acne eruption.
BEST SOLUTIONS FOR ADULT ACNE
Since teenage skin is healthier when it comes to cellular turnover, even the worst case of acne and acne left scars are easier treated than adult acne. This is because our skin slows down regenerating itself as we grow older, so the chances of our skin healing completely from a bout of adult acne depends entirely on how we care for our skin during and after this time.
• AVOID PICKING OR FORCING THE ACNE TO ERUPT
unlike teen acne, some forms of adult acne can show up just in a few spots, leaving the rest of the face clear and untouched. This tempts us to “pop the zit” so to speak, or during facials using comedones extractors to force open the acne spots which leads to permanent scarring
• CHECK YOUR SKINCARE FOR ANTI-COMEDOGENIC PROPERTIES
we all need to use cleansers and moisturizers, sunscreens, as part of our daily skincare. But if you are prone to or facing adult acne, check if all products used on your skin are non-comedogenic which simply means they don’t block pores.
• MAKEUP ALLERGENS
applying a primer or foundation to cover up acne spots is a good concealing technique, but can lead to spreading the acne to other parts of the skin, using makeup on acneic skin should be only when required and that also just for a few hours at best.
• TOPICAL SKINCARE TREATMENTS
using skincare with acne healing and bacterial cleaning properties like tea tree, salicylic acid, benzoic peroxide is a must especially in your cleanser and toner to deeply cleanse your pores and rebalance your skin pH.
Adding Retinol (vitamin A) is a great idea as it is a gentle exfoliants as well as an anti-aging skin ingredient, so will help eliminate acne as well as help regulate the healing process as well
• SUNSCREEN
most adult acne prone skin start degrading faster as they avoid using sunscreen as they find it greasy, which in turn leads to hyper pigmentation marks, photo damage showing up as fine lines and dehydration as well as the skin starts to generally age faster. A sunscreen is a must to use, but opt for water-based sunscreens as oil-based skincare is heavier on the pores and can cause blockages.
TREATMENTS THAT CAN HELP ADULT ACNE
Chemical Peels – peels are exfoliating treatments that strip away unhealthy oils and grime-blocking pores. The best part about peels is that they can be customized to work not only on acne but also on other signs of adult skin like aging, hyperpigmentation, rejuvenation, dullness etc. A reputed clinic will be able to customize a peel routine for your skin to multitask working on both the acne spots as well as to revitalize and give you clearer even textured skin.
Blue LED light treatments – Blue Light can not only penetrate acne spots and kill bacteria, it’s also a completely non-invasive treatment, which is great for skin that is already sensitive and delicate.
Er Yag (Glass) Laser – a very successful aesthetic treatment for adult acne is using laser light and heat to not only help with acne reduction (by targeting the acne bacteria) but also start collagen renewal for scar healing and repairing the damaged pores left by the acne.
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR ADULT ACNE
Cut down on processed foods, sugars and dairy – binge eating, erratic working hours and junk food diets add to the chances of adult acne. Try to maintain a healthy diet rich in balanced nutrients, proteins, minerals, complex carbs, anti-oxidants and so on.
Cleanse skin before sleeping – our skin heals itself during sleep time, so any clogged pores prevent that from happening. Also, bacteria tend to grow and increase in areas within blocked pores, so a good nighttime cleansing ritual will help keep pores fresh and regulate the sebum cycle as well.
Sleep patterns – hormonal changes due to melatonin secretion is a big factor behind acne and dark circles, any erratic sleeping patterns, lack of rested sleep or shortened regular sleeping hours result in acne breakouts.
Exercise and blood circulation – sweat not only eliminates toxins from our bodies, it helps regulated the sweat/sebum {oil} balance. Not to mention exercise can boost blood circulation and release oxygen into our blood more effectively making our skin healthier and more toxin free.
Pore cleansing masks – adding a pore cleansing mask with ingredients such as clay or activated charcoal helps to regulate and cleanse the skin, so include them in your skin routine at least once in 15 days.
Mindful balance of hormones – knowing that our lives as adults are stressful enough is a strong enough reason to add de-stressing techniques like meditation, breathing exercises as well as detox beverages like green tea, chamomile, spirulina etc. Into our lifestyle. Since cortisol (the main stress hormone) is the biggest factor behind adult acne, a good control on keeping stress activators at bay is a great idea.
CONCLUSION
Acne is subjective as to why and what has triggered it in your skin, as no two people have the same reasons, they have acne and so its solutions require to be customized and personalized as well. A mix of oral and topical medication combined with skin treatments will be very helpful in treating any bouts of adult acne and also help prevent future episodes.
To book your consultation with our doctors: Call: +91 2242792222 Whatsapp: +91 7900166222 Email: wecare@theagelessclinic.com
Ever wonder why looking into a morning promising to be a sunny day makes you feel all cheerful, or why spring and summers seem to be the time not only us humans but all plants, animals, and even the general air seems much more energetic and healthy.
Maybe the popular Sheryl Crow hit about “soaking up the sun” should be our guide to why sunlight makes all things bright (pun intended!)
PHOTOBIOMODULATION All living things use sunlight to help grow and remain healthy, plants use it by photo (light) synthesis, and animals use sunlight to convert sunlight to Vitamin D3 that is needed for mineral absorption so that we get stronger bones and general health. So, all chemical responses created by living organisms to use sunlight for their health and life are termed Photobiomodulation.
HOW DOES PHOTOBIOMODULATION HELP OUR SKIN Our skin has cells called Chromophores that literally translate to meaning light cells. These cells have the ability to absorb light and use that light as a charger of sorts to reenergize themselves, making many complex but important changes that are helpful. There are 3 kinds of light-absorbing cells – Water, blood as in hemoglobin or oxyhemoglobin (hemoglobin is blood and oxyhemoglobin is oxygenated blood), and pigment (like hair in a follicle or melanin in the skin).
The interesting part is that different chromophores absorb light differently, which has made it possible to isolate and treat different skin conditions using several different colors.
BUT WE USE SUNSCREEN TO PROTECT AGAINST SUNLIGHT, WHY NOW ARE WE TRYING TO GET MORE LIGHT INTO OUR SKIN So, sunlight is broken up into visible and invisible light (the invisible light is called UV or Ultra Violet) and visible is the colors of the rainbow (7 colors). Invisible UV rays cause all the damage like sunburns, pigmentation, signs of ageing, dehydration, etc. – for which we use a good sunscreen – for UV protection.
Coming to the fun part of visible light – all 7 colors given out by the sun have wonderful and deeply regenerating powers, which is why sunlight makes all life possible! In fact, when astronauts leave earth and are adrift in space without the visible light of the sun, they can suffer lots of mental as well as physical degeneration, which is why NASA scientists had to come up with a way to provide sunlight via artificial lighting – but more on that a bit later.
If you think back to your nursery rhymes about rainbows, you will know all the 7 colors – violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red (vibgyor) that make up the optical spectrum.
Each color can penetrate only up to a certain level into the skin, so the cheat way of knowing is stating colors are most shallow penetration (so they are great for surface issues like acne and revitalization) while the deeper colors like orange and red penetrate the deepest for intense rejuvenation of cells.
LED LIGHT THERAPY Due to this remarkable penetration of light to our deepest cells, scientific research has isolated all the 7 colors and made them useful for different benefits. Coming back to our bit about astronauts discussed earlier – the innovation of LED for therapy was created to help space explorers receive the vital energy that light gives our minds and bodies, which paved the way for LED phototherapy to be used in the most scientific way possible.
Back on earth too, as it’s not possible to strain out individual colors from natural sunlight, we use devices that have LED bulbs of the different colors with temperature and intensity settings to serve the purpose of Photobiomodulation.
• Violet /Purple LED light – cell revitalization and rejuvenation, it’s the mildest and most superficial light used. • Indigo/ Blue LED light – Destroys bacteria so used for acne, teeth whitening, and bacterial infections • Green LED light – balances skin pH and nourishes skin, helps with pigmentation disorders, calms sensitive skin • Yellow/Orange LED light – helps to reduce deeper inflammations, reduces rosacea and redness, also works great on wound healing and aesthetic treatment post-care • Red LED light – works on anti-ageing and increasing collagen and elastin production, makes skin firmer and refreshed by rejuvenating blood circulation
HOW DOES RED LED LIGHT HELP SKIN WITH AGEING? Our skin has cells called Fibroblasts that are responsible for the production of collagen and keep the skin matrix uplifted and firm. Red LED light has proven results on activating these fibroblasts to uptick their performance by stimulating the production of collagen in ageing skin, making it the easiest and most non-invasive anti-ageing treatment that works!
Since fibroblasts are the main connective tissue in our bodies, having strength and good elasticity means not only anti-ageing benefits but signs of ageing prevention too! Making this a great treatment for all ages
Reduces oxidative stress – Red LED Light works extremely well to fight the damage caused by free radicals, repairing cellular damage as well as renewing healthy skin
Recharges ATP – ATP is what you may call our cellular battery chargers – if ATP is low, our skin looks and feels tired and dull. Red LED light can instantly recharge the level of ATP within the cells making them reenergized and fresh feeling.
SO WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN LED TREATMENT This is the best part, this treatment has neither any downtime nor requires any special preparation, and in fact, it’s just 20 minutes of pure relaxation. In fact, it’s sometimes used as a booster with other treatments as well, making it safe as well as effective in conjunction with other treatments/facials.
All you do is lie down and enjoy the mild beams of light across your face, it feels like the first rays of morning sunshine so it’s a refreshingly positive experience to have. Eye goggles are offered to protect your eyes as well as enhance relaxation and the best news is that Red LED works wonders for the scalp follicles as well, making this a double treat, stimulating stronger hair roots as well as an amazing anti-ageing treatment.
To know more about this treatment or to book your appointment: Call: +91 2242792222 Whatsapp: +91 7900166222 Email: wecare@theagelessclinic.com
They say our eyes are the windows to the world (and now with Covid, they seem to be the only windows to the outside world to express ourselves above our protective face masks.) So, it’s no wonder that Brows are finally getting the attention they need and deserve
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF BROWSING
Brow treatments have become so popular in the recent past, and now in Covid times, they seem to be the only facial feature that we can enhance, to literally put our best face forward. With so many different ways to get wow brows, let’s take a look at the best ones out there.
BROW TINTING Tinting is adding a tint of colour to make the brows gain colour and look fuller. It’s great for those who love the shape and size of their brows but find them too sparse or with gaps or even white hair that need filling or recoloring. Tinting is also a great option for those with lighter coloured brows or that need to colour in any white hairs. It’s also great for those who’ve coloured their hair with lighter shades and would like their brows to complement their hair colour .
How is it done? A non-toxic semi-permanent dye colour is used to match your skin tone and the natural colour of your hairline so as to make your brows appear as natural as possible. the area around the brows is protected with either Vaseline or a colour protector cream to avoid staining the area.
On application the colour will look thicker and darker and may look at for first timers, but relax, it’s just for a few hours or maybe the first day, as time goes by, the colour starts blending in and looks natural.
Colours and shades -Just like with hair colour, brow tints come in many shades and a good brow specialist will be able to mix colours to personalize one that matches your skin and natural hair colour and tone.
Pros Is quick and easy to get done.
Cons Not long-lasting as the color lifts with the hair growth and needs regular filling in or can look uneven.
BROW BLADING AND BROW SHADING If tinting sounds too superficial, you may want to try something that offers a more long-lasting effect – introducing brow microblading
It’s a great technique to get semi-permanent results as the colour dye is not just brushed onto the brow hair, but deposited in the skin by a scratch and apply technique using tiny thin blades to scratch the surface skin and push the colour dye in. This is more artistic as blades come in different sizes and shapes, the brows can be reshaped to make them thicker, or more tapered or basically anything that makes your face look more defined.
There are some unbelievable before and after looks achieved with just changing the shape and angle of the brows using microblading. Worried about the colour pigment that’s getting into your skin? It’s either vegetable dye-based or iron oxide pigments that are absorbed into your skin and eliminated in a few months naturally.
How is it done? The artist first draws out the new brow shape according to your face symmetry, filling in sparse and empty spaces and increasing dimensions if you have naturally thin or paltry brows, making the new shape thicker and well-defined.
Then a numbing gel is applied (to make it more comfortable) while the service is done. Brushstrokes-like movements give you a mix of thin and thick lines just like your natural brows. While the blading stokes are gently etched, the colour pigments are also applied simultaneously and pushed into the newly formed lines
Finally, the brows are given a cleaning to remove any residue inks and checked for bruising, swelling or pinpoint bleeding. A local healing gel is given to apply if you feel any swelling or pain over the next few days and the service is done. Also, a routine second round is recommended after a few weeks to correct or fill in areas if needed.
BROW SHADING A new addition to brow blading, to enhance and give them more textured finish brow shading uses the stippling method to fill in brows. Stippling is a widely used makeup technique to draw tiny dots rather than lines to give a powder finish a softer effect This effect is given with tools with tiny ball pen-like tips that work the same way microblading does, in fact, blading and shading complement each other and are used together to get a flawless result.
Pros Microblading effects last for around 6 to 8 months (depending on the quality of the dye and the brush blade depth used and your skin type as well. But guaranteed results are expected for a minimum of 4 – 6 months, making it a longer-lasting solution to well-defined brows.
Also, since the brush strokes can be customized, the results look more naturally textured.
Cons Depending on the skill of the artist the results may vary as depth, strokes and shape need to be well-drawn and filled in.
BROW MICRO PIGMENTATION Also called semi-permanent makeup, this service is extremely popular not only for aesthetic reasons but also for people suffering from chronic hair loss in the brows like alopecia, reaction to drugs or illness or just genetically endowed with lesser brow hair.
Micro-pigmentation is a semi-permanent solution to sparse or thin brows that goes deeper into the skin (more so than microblading) and can even be drawn over non-hair brows to give an appearance of brows. Artists use tiny needles that are filled with dyes to gently pump into your brows, depositing the colours into your skin. Since the deposits are made deeper than microblading the results can last longer too.
How is it done? Pretty much similar to microblading, the process starts with drawing and defining the new brows and agreeing with you on the arch, angle and length you want from your new brows. Then a local numbing gel, allows your skin to process the treatment without discomfort or sensation and finally a healing gel is applied to heal and calm the skin over the next couple of days
Pros Micro-pigmentation offers longer-lasting results and is great for people who have lost their brows or need a lot of definition and shape to be filled in. It’s also a great long-term solution (can last up to a year) for those of you who want to fill in gaps in present brows or just want well-defined brows for a longer period of time with almost no maintenance needed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU CHOOSE YOUR BROWSING SERVICE:
Check realistically what your goals are – do you want to just fill in your present brow shape for gaps or are you looking to change your brows with size and volume definition changes
Select the brow colour according to your natural hair colour – are you a natural brunette or do you have grey roots, the colour of your brows should blend seamlessly with your hairline colour as dark-defined brows with greying or blonde-coloured hair will draw attention but not in such a great way, whereas natural hues that match your skin and hair tone will make you look younger, fresher and more poised.
Find the right artist – be it tinting, blading or pigmenting, your brows need to be in the hands of someone who knows the art of sculpting brows. So, ensure you have seen the past performance and abilities of the artist before you get your service done.
Ask about the colour and dyes used – Good brow pigments tend to be a bit more expensive if compared to even henna being used for its colour. The range is as wide as the budget, so check for the pigment and colour beforehand; this makes a big difference especially for micro-pigmentation as the results need to hold the same colour palette for the entire duration they are filled in.
Prepare for aftercare – mild bruising, pinpoint bleeding or even headaches or swelling for a couple of days post-treatment is common. This is just your skin reacting to a new service and it’s well expected. So, plan your appointment when you can have some downtime for a day or two to recover at ease.
Have patience – the brow color may look darker for a few weeks then would fade to a more natural-looking shade
Be fastidious about the AfterCare required – sun exposure, skin care products, sweat and other external factors affect the longevity of your brow colour so ensure you follow all given aftercare guidelines to maintain the results successfully.
Check in for a touch up usually in a month
CONCLUSION:
Semi-permanent brow services are an industry to itself due to the safety and high levels of success they offer. Research a great browsing expert in your location set up a consultation and get set for a transformation that is bound to make you look fabulous
For the perfect eyebrows – trust the team that’s worked on a number of extremely famous eyebrows 🙂
To book your FREE no-obligation consultation: Call: +912242792222 Whatsapp: +91 7900166222 Email:wecare@theagelessclinic.com
They say our eyes are the windows to the world (and now with Covid, they seem to be the only windows to the outside world to express ourselves above our protective face masks.) So, it’s no wonder that Brows are finally getting the attention they need and deserve
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF BROWSING
Brow treatments have become so popular in the recent past, and now in Covid times, they seem to be the only facial feature that we can enhance, to literally put our best face forward. With so many different ways to get wow brows, let’s take a look at the best ones out there.
BROW TINTING Tinting is adding a tint of colour to make the brows gain colour and look fuller. It’s great for those who love the shape and size of their brows but find them too sparse or with gaps or even white hair that need filling or recoloring. Tinting is also a great option for those with lighter coloured brows or that need to colour in any white hairs. It’s also great for those who’ve coloured their hair with lighter shades and would like their brows to complement their hair colour .
How is it done? A non-toxic semi-permanent dye colour is used to match your skin tone and the natural colour of your hairline so as to make your brows appear as natural as possible. the area around the brows is protected with either Vaseline or a colour protector cream to avoid staining the area.
On application the colour will look thicker and darker and may look at for first timers, but relax, it’s just for a few hours or maybe the first day, as time goes by, the colour starts blending in and looks natural.
Colours and shades -Just like with hair colour, brow tints come in many shades and a good brow specialist will be able to mix colours to personalize one that matches your skin and natural hair colour and tone.
Pros Is quick and easy to get done.
Cons Not long-lasting as the color lifts with the hair growth and needs regular filling in or can look uneven.
BROW BLADING AND BROW SHADING If tinting sounds too superficial, you may want to try something that offers a more long-lasting effect – introducing brow microblading
It’s a great technique to get semi-permanent results as the colour dye is not just brushed onto the brow hair, but deposited in the skin by a scratch and apply technique using tiny thin blades to scratch the surface skin and push the colour dye in. This is more artistic as blades come in different sizes and shapes, the brows can be reshaped to make them thicker, or more tapered or basically anything that makes your face look more defined.
There are some unbelievable before and after looks achieved with just changing the shape and angle of the brows using microblading. Worried about the colour pigment that’s getting into your skin? It’s either vegetable dye-based or iron oxide pigments that are absorbed into your skin and eliminated in a few months naturally.
How is it done? The artist first draws out the new brow shape according to your face symmetry, filling in sparse and empty spaces and increasing dimensions if you have naturally thin or paltry brows, making the new shape thicker and well-defined.
Then a numbing gel is applied (to make it more comfortable) while the service is done. Brushstrokes-like movements give you a mix of thin and thick lines just like your natural brows. While the blading stokes are gently etched, the colour pigments are also applied simultaneously and pushed into the newly formed lines
Finally, the brows are given a cleaning to remove any residue inks and checked for bruising, swelling or pinpoint bleeding. A local healing gel is given to apply if you feel any swelling or pain over the next few days and the service is done. Also, a routine second round is recommended after a few weeks to correct or fill in areas if needed.
BROW SHADING A new addition to brow blading, to enhance and give them more textured finish brow shading uses the stippling method to fill in brows. Stippling is a widely used makeup technique to draw tiny dots rather than lines to give a powder finish a softer effect This effect is given with tools with tiny ball pen-like tips that work the same way microblading does, in fact, blading and shading complement each other and are used together to get a flawless result.
Pros Microblading effects last for around 6 to 8 months (depending on the quality of the dye and the brush blade depth used and your skin type as well. But guaranteed results are expected for a minimum of 4 – 6 months, making it a longer-lasting solution to well-defined brows.
Also, since the brush strokes can be customized, the results look more naturally textured.
Cons Depending on the skill of the artist the results may vary as depth, strokes and shape need to be well-drawn and filled in.
BROW MICRO PIGMENTATION Also called semi-permanent makeup, this service is extremely popular not only for aesthetic reasons but also for people suffering from chronic hair loss in the brows like alopecia, reaction to drugs or illness or just genetically endowed with lesser brow hair.
Micro-pigmentation is a semi-permanent solution to sparse or thin brows that goes deeper into the skin (more so than microblading) and can even be drawn over non-hair brows to give an appearance of brows. Artists use tiny needles that are filled with dyes to gently pump into your brows, depositing the colours into your skin. Since the deposits are made deeper than microblading the results can last longer too.
How is it done? Pretty much similar to microblading, the process starts with drawing and defining the new brows and agreeing with you on the arch, angle and length you want from your new brows. Then a local numbing gel, allows your skin to process the treatment without discomfort or sensation and finally a healing gel is applied to heal and calm the skin over the next couple of days
Pros Micro-pigmentation offers longer-lasting results and is great for people who have lost their brows or need a lot of definition and shape to be filled in. It’s also a great long-term solution (can last up to a year) for those of you who want to fill in gaps in present brows or just want well-defined brows for a longer period of time with almost no maintenance needed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU CHOOSE YOUR BROWSING SERVICE:
Check realistically what your goals are – do you want to just fill in your present brow shape for gaps or are you looking to change your brows with size and volume definition changes
Select the brow colour according to your natural hair colour – are you a natural brunette or do you have grey roots, the colour of your brows should blend seamlessly with your hairline colour as dark-defined brows with greying or blonde-coloured hair will draw attention but not in such a great way, whereas natural hues that match your skin and hair tone will make you look younger, fresher and more poised.
Find the right artist – be it tinting, blading or pigmenting, your brows need to be in the hands of someone who knows the art of sculpting brows. So, ensure you have seen the past performance and abilities of the artist before you get your service done.
Ask about the colour and dyes used – Good brow pigments tend to be a bit more expensive if compared to even henna being used for its colour. The range is as wide as the budget, so check for the pigment and colour beforehand; this makes a big difference especially for micro-pigmentation as the results need to hold the same colour palette for the entire duration they are filled in.
Prepare for aftercare – mild bruising, pinpoint bleeding or even headaches or swelling for a couple of days post-treatment is common. This is just your skin reacting to a new service and it’s well expected. So, plan your appointment when you can have some downtime for a day or two to recover at ease.
Have patience – the brow color may look darker for a few weeks then would fade to a more natural-looking shade
Be fastidious about the AfterCare required – sun exposure, skin care products, sweat and other external factors affect the longevity of your brow colour so ensure you follow all given aftercare guidelines to maintain the results successfully.
Check in for a touch up usually in a month
CONCLUSION:
Semi-permanent brow services are an industry to itself due to the safety and high levels of success they offer. Research a great browsing expert in your location set up a consultation and get set for a transformation that is bound to make you look fabulous
For the perfect eyebrows – trust the team that’s worked on a number of extremely famous eyebrows 🙂
To book your FREE no-obligation consultation: Call: +912242792222 Whatsapp: +91 7900166222 Email:wecare@theagelessclinic.com
They say our eyes are the windows to the world (and now with Covid, they seem to be the only windows to the outside world to express ourselves above our protective face masks.) So, it’s no wonder that Brows are finally getting the attention they need and deserve
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF BROWSING
Brow treatments have become so popular in the recent past, and now in Covid times, they seem to be the only facial feature that we can enhance, to literally put our best face forward. With so many different ways to get wow brows, let’s take a look at the best ones out there.
BROW TINTING Tinting is adding a tint of colour to make the brows gain colour and look fuller. It’s great for those who love the shape and size of their brows but find them too sparse or with gaps or even white hair that need filling or recoloring. Tinting is also a great option for those with lighter coloured brows or that need to colour in any white hairs. It’s also great for those who’ve coloured their hair with lighter shades and would like their brows to complement their hair colour .
How is it done? A non-toxic semi-permanent dye colour is used to match your skin tone and the natural colour of your hairline so as to make your brows appear as natural as possible. the area around the brows is protected with either Vaseline or a colour protector cream to avoid staining the area.
On application the colour will look thicker and darker and may look at for first timers, but relax, it’s just for a few hours or maybe the first day, as time goes by, the colour starts blending in and looks natural.
Colours and shades -Just like with hair colour, brow tints come in many shades and a good brow specialist will be able to mix colours to personalize one that matches your skin and natural hair colour and tone.
Pros Is quick and easy to get done.
Cons Not long-lasting as the color lifts with the hair growth and needs regular filling in or can look uneven.
BROW BLADING AND BROW SHADING If tinting sounds too superficial, you may want to try something that offers a more long-lasting effect – introducing brow microblading
It’s a great technique to get semi-permanent results as the colour dye is not just brushed onto the brow hair, but deposited in the skin by a scratch and apply technique using tiny thin blades to scratch the surface skin and push the colour dye in. This is more artistic as blades come in different sizes and shapes, the brows can be reshaped to make them thicker, or more tapered or basically anything that makes your face look more defined.
There are some unbelievable before and after looks achieved with just changing the shape and angle of the brows using microblading. Worried about the colour pigment that’s getting into your skin? It’s either vegetable dye-based or iron oxide pigments that are absorbed into your skin and eliminated in a few months naturally.
How is it done? The artist first draws out the new brow shape according to your face symmetry, filling in sparse and empty spaces and increasing dimensions if you have naturally thin or paltry brows, making the new shape thicker and well-defined.
Then a numbing gel is applied (to make it more comfortable) while the service is done. Brushstrokes-like movements give you a mix of thin and thick lines just like your natural brows. While the blading stokes are gently etched, the colour pigments are also applied simultaneously and pushed into the newly formed lines
Finally, the brows are given a cleaning to remove any residue inks and checked for bruising, swelling or pinpoint bleeding. A local healing gel is given to apply if you feel any swelling or pain over the next few days and the service is done. Also, a routine second round is recommended after a few weeks to correct or fill in areas if needed.
BROW SHADING A new addition to brow blading, to enhance and give them more textured finish brow shading uses the stippling method to fill in brows. Stippling is a widely used makeup technique to draw tiny dots rather than lines to give a powder finish a softer effect This effect is given with tools with tiny ball pen-like tips that work the same way microblading does, in fact, blading and shading complement each other and are used together to get a flawless result.
Pros Microblading effects last for around 6 to 8 months (depending on the quality of the dye and the brush blade depth used and your skin type as well. But guaranteed results are expected for a minimum of 4 – 6 months, making it a longer-lasting solution to well-defined brows.
Also, since the brush strokes can be customized, the results look more naturally textured.
Cons Depending on the skill of the artist the results may vary as depth, strokes and shape need to be well-drawn and filled in.
BROW MICRO PIGMENTATION Also called semi-permanent makeup, this service is extremely popular not only for aesthetic reasons but also for people suffering from chronic hair loss in the brows like alopecia, reaction to drugs or illness or just genetically endowed with lesser brow hair.
Micro-pigmentation is a semi-permanent solution to sparse or thin brows that goes deeper into the skin (more so than microblading) and can even be drawn over non-hair brows to give an appearance of brows. Artists use tiny needles that are filled with dyes to gently pump into your brows, depositing the colours into your skin. Since the deposits are made deeper than microblading the results can last longer too.
How is it done? Pretty much similar to microblading, the process starts with drawing and defining the new brows and agreeing with you on the arch, angle and length you want from your new brows. Then a local numbing gel, allows your skin to process the treatment without discomfort or sensation and finally a healing gel is applied to heal and calm the skin over the next couple of days
Pros Micro-pigmentation offers longer-lasting results and is great for people who have lost their brows or need a lot of definition and shape to be filled in. It’s also a great long-term solution (can last up to a year) for those of you who want to fill in gaps in present brows or just want well-defined brows for a longer period of time with almost no maintenance needed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU CHOOSE YOUR BROWSING SERVICE:
Check realistically what your goals are – do you want to just fill in your present brow shape for gaps or are you looking to change your brows with size and volume definition changes
Select the brow colour according to your natural hair colour – are you a natural brunette or do you have grey roots, the colour of your brows should blend seamlessly with your hairline colour as dark-defined brows with greying or blonde-coloured hair will draw attention but not in such a great way, whereas natural hues that match your skin and hair tone will make you look younger, fresher and more poised.
Find the right artist – be it tinting, blading or pigmenting, your brows need to be in the hands of someone who knows the art of sculpting brows. So, ensure you have seen the past performance and abilities of the artist before you get your service done.
Ask about the colour and dyes used – Good brow pigments tend to be a bit more expensive if compared to even henna being used for its colour. The range is as wide as the budget, so check for the pigment and colour beforehand; this makes a big difference especially for micro-pigmentation as the results need to hold the same colour palette for the entire duration they are filled in.
Prepare for aftercare – mild bruising, pinpoint bleeding or even headaches or swelling for a couple of days post-treatment is common. This is just your skin reacting to a new service and it’s well expected. So, plan your appointment when you can have some downtime for a day or two to recover at ease.
Have patience – the brow color may look darker for a few weeks then would fade to a more natural-looking shade
Be fastidious about the AfterCare required – sun exposure, skin care products, sweat and other external factors affect the longevity of your brow colour so ensure you follow all given aftercare guidelines to maintain the results successfully.
Check in for a touch up usually in a month
CONCLUSION:
Semi-permanent brow services are an industry to itself due to the safety and high levels of success they offer. Research a great browsing expert in your location set up a consultation and get set for a transformation that is bound to make you look fabulous
For the perfect eyebrows – trust the team that’s worked on a number of extremely famous eyebrows 🙂
To book your FREE no-obligation consultation: Call: +912242792222 Whatsapp: +91 7900166222 Email:wecare@theagelessclinic.com
They say our eyes are the windows to the world (and now with Covid, they seem to be the only windows to the outside world to express ourselves above our protective face masks.) So, it’s no wonder that Brows are finally getting the attention they need and deserve
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF BROWSING
Brow treatments have become so popular in the recent past, and now in Covid times, they seem to be the only facial feature that we can enhance, to literally put our best face forward. With so many different ways to get wow brows, let’s take a look at the best ones out there.
BROW TINTING Tinting is adding a tint of colour to make the brows gain colour and look fuller. It’s great for those who love the shape and size of their brows but find them too sparse or with gaps or even white hair that need filling or recoloring. Tinting is also a great option for those with lighter coloured brows or that need to colour in any white hairs. It’s also great for those who’ve coloured their hair with lighter shades and would like their brows to complement their hair colour .
How is it done? A non-toxic semi-permanent dye colour is used to match your skin tone and the natural colour of your hairline so as to make your brows appear as natural as possible. the area around the brows is protected with either Vaseline or a colour protector cream to avoid staining the area.
On application the colour will look thicker and darker and may look at for first timers, but relax, it’s just for a few hours or maybe the first day, as time goes by, the colour starts blending in and looks natural.
Colours and shades -Just like with hair colour, brow tints come in many shades and a good brow specialist will be able to mix colours to personalize one that matches your skin and natural hair colour and tone.
Pros Is quick and easy to get done.
Cons Not long-lasting as the color lifts with the hair growth and needs regular filling in or can look uneven.
BROW BLADING AND BROW SHADING If tinting sounds too superficial, you may want to try something that offers a more long-lasting effect – introducing brow microblading
It’s a great technique to get semi-permanent results as the colour dye is not just brushed onto the brow hair, but deposited in the skin by a scratch and apply technique using tiny thin blades to scratch the surface skin and push the colour dye in. This is more artistic as blades come in different sizes and shapes, the brows can be reshaped to make them thicker, or more tapered or basically anything that makes your face look more defined.
There are some unbelievable before and after looks achieved with just changing the shape and angle of the brows using microblading. Worried about the colour pigment that’s getting into your skin? It’s either vegetable dye-based or iron oxide pigments that are absorbed into your skin and eliminated in a few months naturally.
How is it done? The artist first draws out the new brow shape according to your face symmetry, filling in sparse and empty spaces and increasing dimensions if you have naturally thin or paltry brows, making the new shape thicker and well-defined.
Then a numbing gel is applied (to make it more comfortable) while the service is done. Brushstrokes-like movements give you a mix of thin and thick lines just like your natural brows. While the blading stokes are gently etched, the colour pigments are also applied simultaneously and pushed into the newly formed lines
Finally, the brows are given a cleaning to remove any residue inks and checked for bruising, swelling or pinpoint bleeding. A local healing gel is given to apply if you feel any swelling or pain over the next few days and the service is done. Also, a routine second round is recommended after a few weeks to correct or fill in areas if needed.
BROW SHADING A new addition to brow blading, to enhance and give them more textured finish brow shading uses the stippling method to fill in brows. Stippling is a widely used makeup technique to draw tiny dots rather than lines to give a powder finish a softer effect This effect is given with tools with tiny ball pen-like tips that work the same way microblading does, in fact, blading and shading complement each other and are used together to get a flawless result.
Pros Microblading effects last for around 6 to 8 months (depending on the quality of the dye and the brush blade depth used and your skin type as well. But guaranteed results are expected for a minimum of 4 – 6 months, making it a longer-lasting solution to well-defined brows.
Also, since the brush strokes can be customized, the results look more naturally textured.
Cons Depending on the skill of the artist the results may vary as depth, strokes and shape need to be well-drawn and filled in.
BROW MICRO PIGMENTATION Also called semi-permanent makeup, this service is extremely popular not only for aesthetic reasons but also for people suffering from chronic hair loss in the brows like alopecia, reaction to drugs or illness or just genetically endowed with lesser brow hair.
Micro-pigmentation is a semi-permanent solution to sparse or thin brows that goes deeper into the skin (more so than microblading) and can even be drawn over non-hair brows to give an appearance of brows. Artists use tiny needles that are filled with dyes to gently pump into your brows, depositing the colours into your skin. Since the deposits are made deeper than microblading the results can last longer too.
How is it done? Pretty much similar to microblading, the process starts with drawing and defining the new brows and agreeing with you on the arch, angle and length you want from your new brows. Then a local numbing gel, allows your skin to process the treatment without discomfort or sensation and finally a healing gel is applied to heal and calm the skin over the next couple of days
Pros Micro-pigmentation offers longer-lasting results and is great for people who have lost their brows or need a lot of definition and shape to be filled in. It’s also a great long-term solution (can last up to a year) for those of you who want to fill in gaps in present brows or just want well-defined brows for a longer period of time with almost no maintenance needed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU CHOOSE YOUR BROWSING SERVICE:
Check realistically what your goals are – do you want to just fill in your present brow shape for gaps or are you looking to change your brows with size and volume definition changes
Select the brow colour according to your natural hair colour – are you a natural brunette or do you have grey roots, the colour of your brows should blend seamlessly with your hairline colour as dark-defined brows with greying or blonde-coloured hair will draw attention but not in such a great way, whereas natural hues that match your skin and hair tone will make you look younger, fresher and more poised.
Find the right artist – be it tinting, blading or pigmenting, your brows need to be in the hands of someone who knows the art of sculpting brows. So, ensure you have seen the past performance and abilities of the artist before you get your service done.
Ask about the colour and dyes used – Good brow pigments tend to be a bit more expensive if compared to even henna being used for its colour. The range is as wide as the budget, so check for the pigment and colour beforehand; this makes a big difference especially for micro-pigmentation as the results need to hold the same colour palette for the entire duration they are filled in.
Prepare for aftercare – mild bruising, pinpoint bleeding or even headaches or swelling for a couple of days post-treatment is common. This is just your skin reacting to a new service and it’s well expected. So, plan your appointment when you can have some downtime for a day or two to recover at ease.
Have patience – the brow color may look darker for a few weeks then would fade to a more natural-looking shade
Be fastidious about the AfterCare required – sun exposure, skin care products, sweat and other external factors affect the longevity of your brow colour so ensure you follow all given aftercare guidelines to maintain the results successfully.
Check in for a touch up usually in a month
CONCLUSION:
Semi-permanent brow services are an industry to itself due to the safety and high levels of success they offer. Research a great browsing expert in your location set up a consultation and get set for a transformation that is bound to make you look fabulous
For the perfect eyebrows – trust the team that’s worked on a number of extremely famous eyebrows 🙂
To book your FREE no-obligation consultation: Call: +912242792222 Whatsapp: +91 7900166222 Email:wecare@theagelessclinic.com
