Moles are a common form of growth or formation on your skin that appear often in the form of small, black spots. They can develop anywhere on the body. They usually occur during adolescence or childhood and with the passage of time, they may change colour. Moles are a type of skin growth, which usually do not go away with time.

On the other hand, freckles are often described as round, flat, dark colour spots which vary in size from about 2mm to 4mm. They may result from pigment precipitation in one particular area as the skin that surrounds the dark spot is comparatively lighter in shade. Being sensitive to the sun s ultra violet rays, freckles become more noticeable during or after sunlight exposure. Although freckles are usually found in areas which are not covered from the sun s exposure, they could also occur anywhere on your body.

What causes them?
Moles are caused due to certain skin cells, known as melanocytes, grow in a very close group instead of being evenly and normally spread across the skin. Moles that occur during birth are called congenital nevi and their chances of occurring are around 1 in a 100. These moles are more prone to develop into skin cancer (melanoma) in later stages of life.

Freckles on the other hand are 

Genetically transferred, so the chance of you becoming affected are higher, if any of your parents have it.
If there s a prolonged exposure to the sunrays, then freckles may appear on your skin and they become even more prominent on a fair skin. Since the presence of melanin is less in people with fair skin the sunlight exposure causes these dark spots to surface easily
Hormonal imbalances could be yet another reason for freckles to appear as estrogen could be over-stimulate cells that produce pigment and thus become more prominent in the presence of sunlight.
Rare disorders like Xeroderma Pigmentosum (a condition leading to extreme light sensitivity and also skin cancer in certain cases) can make your skin more sensitive to the UV rays, thus resulting in freckles.
Treatment of moles and freckles

Laser Treatment: There are different types of lasers which are absolutely safe and can help reduce or lighten these dark spots effectively.
Cryosurgery: The physician would use a light freeze in conjunction with liquid nitrogen to reduce the spots of freckles. However, not every spot responds to this kind of treatment.
Retinoids: Mostly used with a combination of other bleaching creams, retinoids help reduce freckles when used continuously for a couple of months.

Moles and Freckles? How They Can Be Treated?

Vitiligo is a long term skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing their pigment. The patches of skin affected become white and usually have sharp margins. The hair from the skin may also become white. Although this disease is not life threatening or contagious, the disfigurement of vitiligo can be devastating to its sufferers, especially the ones with darker skin tone.

There are certain treatment options that can help.

Topical preparations of immune suppressing medications, creams and steroids are considered to be first-line vitiligo treatments.
Next option is to expose the affected skin to UVB lamps with the phototherapy treatment at home or get the Ultra violet (UVA) treatment at a hospital.
In extreme cases of extensive vitiligo the option to de-pigment the unaffected skin may be considered to render the skin an even colour.
However, in mild cases, vitiligo patches can be hidden with makeup or other cosmetic camouflage solutions. If the affected person is pale skinned, the patches can be made less visible by avoiding tanning of the unaffected skin.
Camouflage Treatment In Vitiligo
Camouflage is derived from the French word,  Camoufler  which means  to blind  or  veil . Also known as protective concealment, it means to disguise an object in plain view, for the purpose of concealing it from something or someone. Cosmetic camouflage is the application of make-up creams and/or powders to conceal color or contour irregularities or abnormalities of the face or body. It was pioneered during the Second World War to help pilots who were badly burnt by making use of plastic surgery and camouflage cream. These creams did not camouflage the person but were used to conceal blemishes on the skin so that they were not obvious. This kind of remedial cosmetic skin camouflage is defined as being the  the art of concealing a discoloration, blemish or scar with the application of specialist camouflage creams that are matched to the surrounding skin tone.  Nowadays, it is used to conceal abnormalities from various dermatological disorders, especially vitiligo.

Types of Camouflage
Camouflage may be permanent or temporary.

Remedial cosmetic cover creams help conceal the blemish of vitiligo at least temporarily. A high concentration of pigment is incorporated into water free or anhydrous foundations to give a color that matches the patient s skin, thereby concealing vitiligo patches.
Permanent camouflage is obtained with a cosmetic tattoo. Unlike pigments used for ritual or symbolic tattoos, cosmetic tattoos are inert iron oxides that are available in more than 15 shades. The color is implanted into the dermal layer with specialized techniques and cannot be washed off.
Camouflage improves the appearance of the individual, as the focus is no longer on the discoloration that the person wishes to hide, thereby improving their confidence and self-esteem. This makes camouflage the most popular treatment option in vitilgo.

Camouflage Treatment In Vitiligo!

Every other person today is exposed to various hair problems irrespective of their age or gender. Several factors including one s diet, overall health and lifestyle, are responsible for causing hair problems. On top of that, pollution plays a major role in damaging your hair too! 

Although hair problems are a major concern for both males and females, nearly 40% of women encounter visible hair loss by age 40. The most common conditions affecting your scalp and hair include hair fall, dandruff and split ends-- 

Hair fall- Most people are familiar with hair fall- you are used to witnessing broken strands of hair on the towel after having a bath, or on the comb. This condition is prevalent in those who have had a genetic or family history of hair fall. Hormonal changes, traumatic events (chronic illness or surgery), any underlying medical condition such as thyroid or lupus, and certain treatment procedures like chemotherapy can lead to hair fall in due course of time. While shedding a few strands of hair is considered normal, losing large volumes of hair more often than not can lead to permanent hair loss. 

Dandruff- Dandruff is undoubtedly the most unsightly among all other conditions. It is even more embarrassing for people having dark hair. These appear as white powdered grains that cling to the roots of the hair. Dandruff often results from poor diet, poor metabolism, or dry scalp. This condition is more common in winters.

Split ends- Split ends are witnessed when the edges of your hair become brittle, dry and frayed. Exposure to extreme weather conditions can leave your hair damaged. Many people fall for hair styling techniques including blow drying, straightening and smoothening. They certainly make you look good, but frequent use of such hair styling techniques and the related chemical products damage your hair follicles. Almost everyone encounters split ends at some point in life. The only way to get rid of split ends is to trim your hair every 3-4 months. 

People need to understand that applying any kind of oil or shampoo on one s hair would only be external applications and will not lead to nourishment internally, no matter how much they boast of doing so through their advertisements. This is where Homeopathy comes to the rescue, which would help them in internal medication. 

Role of homeopathy in curing hair problems-
Homeopathy can proficiently manage the symptoms of various hair problems including hair fall, dandruff and split ends. Homeopathic remedies are extracted from different plants, herbs and natural substances that are absolutely safe for you. This branch of medicine attempts to improve your metabolism and heal your digestive disorders, thereby promoting healthy hormones. Homeopathy medications or supplements prepared from the extracts of shellfish and oyster are rich in zinc. Consuming 30g of zinc can help in the synthesis of hair keratin. Flaxseed oil and fish oil used in homeopathy treatment are excellent sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids not only prevent hair fall and breakage but also nourish your hair follicles, thereby promoting lush, healthy hair. Make sure you intake 2 capsules of these homeopathy supplements. Let's read how homeopathy works--

Root Cause: No matter whether it is hairfall, dandruff or split ends, initially a patient needs to talk about the history of how all of these problems had started. The reasons could be:
Physical in nature, like some fever in an intermittent manner, which gets traced back to child-birth, lactational phase 
Patient needs to be very particular and detailed about telling the circumstances that might have led to the problems, for the homeopathic doctor to understand. 
Now, once the doctor gets a clear picture about the cause, he or she gives the appropriate homeopathic medicine and its dosage as per requirement.
Internal Factors: Internal factors are referred to as constitutional factor in homeopathy. a homeopath understand your internal issues and prescribe medicines accordingly. 
Every individual is born with certain qualities. Those qualities need to be identified and treated as per the physical and mental characteristic symptoms of the patient. 
It is important to ask certain questions starting from the childhood to be able to identify any unknown cause that might have been the cause behind these problems. 
Homeopathy remedies and medicines thus rectify the underlying causes of hair problems. The main objective of the treatment is to eliminate the root of the problem. So, the next time you face hair problems, instead of going for hair styling treatments, opt for homeopathic intervention. 

Homeopathic Approach To Hairfall, Dandruff And Split Ends!

Orange Peel Scrub For Flawless Glowing Skin

An orange is much more than just a refreshing tangy fruit. Orange, rich in Vitamin C, is the best all rounder when it comes to your skin. It’s rich in antioxidants and helps your skin to get younger looking, glowing and healthy. It’s almost a miracle for your skin.

Ground orange peels (and nothing else) just on their own make for the perfect scrub. 

It has these 4 effects on your skin.

1. Scrubbing off Dead Skin: The leathery granular texture & calcium present in it, serves as a gentle but extremely effective scrub, removing layers of dead and decaying skin. 

2. Moisturizing: The natural oil & potassium present in orange peel moisturizes & hydrates your skin simultaneously. 

3. Anti-ageing: The antioxidants neutralize the free radicals keeping wrinkles and sagging cheeks at bay.  Vitamin C & Magnesium present in it make skin glowing, youthful & healthy.

4. Skin Lightening: The orange peel also serves as a natural bleaching agent which helps with skin whitening. 

How to Get the Glow: To get an instant glow, all you need to do is rub frozen orange peel cubes onto your skin.  Continue rubbing till the cubes dissolve onto your skin into a scrub/mask. Splash your face with water to reveal the magic!

If you would like to consult with me privately, please click on 'Consult'.

4 Magical  Effects Orange Peel Has On Your Skin

Your nail health might serve as a primary indicator of your overall health. Your nails need proper care to remain strong and healthy. If you notice dents or ridges on them, then it might indicate an underlying medical condition , which would require prompt medical attention. Healthy finger nails are supposed to be smooth and uniform in color with no spots or discoloration. Sometimes, there can be development of harmful vertical ridges from the tip of your nail till the cuticle, which can become more prominent as you grow older.

There are many ways to keep your nails clean and healthy:

Good nail hygiene: You should always use good quality sharp clippers or manicure scissors. The proper way to cut your nails is to trim the nails straight across and then round the tips in a gentle curve.
Keep fingernails dry and clean: You can prevent the growth of bacteria under your fingernails if you keep them clean. Wear a pair of cotton lined rubber gloves while performing activities, such as using harsh chemicals or washing dishes.
Biotin supplements: Biotin supplements can increase the thickness of your nails and also prevent splitting and breaking. Biotin is a member of the vitamin B family and helps the body to convert food into energy.
Don t go for professional manicures: Going for professional pedicure or manicure on a regular basis can make your nails dry and brittle. Another way to remedy the problem is to take your own tool to the manicure salon, which reduces the chance of infection. Regular professional manicure can make you suffer from nail bed infections, which can be chronic in nature.
Avoid acetone: Using acetone based polish removers, will strip your nail of the essential nutrients in due course of time thus, making them brittle.
Don t bite: Avoid biting your fingernails as this can damage the nail bed. Bacteria or fungi can enter through a small cut along the fingernail, which can cause an infection.
Do not ignore minor problems of the nail: If you have some infection in your nails which doesn t seem to go away, then there are chances of the infection being a result of some other underlying health condition. You should immediately get the problem evaluated by a doctor or a dermatologist.

Nail Health - 7 Things You Must Ensure 

Top 10 Everyday Skin Care Hacks

You skin needs just a little care daily. There are some very simple ways in which we can provide that much needed affection and get back radiance and softness. And all this without any extra effort!

Try these everyday regimes for the glow.

1. Adopt Hydration - The first thing your skin needs to stay beautiful is adequate 'hydration,' or what they call in plain terms as plenty of water. So bottoms up to at least two liters of water daily.

2. Avoid Dehydration  - While you are busy hydrating your skin, remember to be careful and not dehydrate by staying out under the harsh sun for longer than 10-15 mins at a stretch. Ditch the caffeine habit (Soda, coffee, tea) as it dehydrates your body on the cellular level, inviting the onset of those dreaded wrinkles early than anticipated. 

3. Apply Lesser Layers - Your skin is your body's largest organ and it needs to breathe. So try and not swathe it under layers of heavy makeup and pore clogging chemical body butters on a regular basis.

4. Give It Fresh Air - To get your skin breathing truly fresh, put on your exercise gear and head outdoors to spend some quality time with Mother Nature at the nearest park or maybe you can take that long pending weekend trip out of the city!

5. Don’t Stress - Do not be stressed all the time unnecessarily. Learning how to manage stress effectively can take away years from your skin. 

6. Exercise - Run. Jump. Dance. Get moving, in short. The more your skin sweats, the better will it look and the elasticity would improve dramatically too. 

7. Get Nutrition - Get in the habit of starting the day with plenty of fruits and a healthy breakfast with the right amount of protein, carbs and essential fats. Fats are required by your skin to lubricate and moisturize from the inside. But make sure you stick to good fats found in olive oil, eggs, yogurt (the ones without any additives or artificial sugars), and whole grain breads etc.

8. Go Smoke-free - Just stop smoking and you would see a dramatic improvement in your skin tone within a few weeks (yes, it takes time to reverse that kind of damage) 

9. Wear Sunscreen - Slather on the sunscreen before you leave the house but make sure it's SPF index must be 30 and above for it to be effective under the harsh Indian sun.

10. Exfoliate & Detox - Scrub-rub-a dub every week. NOT every day though.. Make sure you use organic scrubs made with rice granules or sugar grains instead. Use a natural face mask such as Banana mash or a Tomato-Cucumber-Honey paste every alternate day to detoxify, cleanse and moisturize your face and body. 

If you would like to consult with me privately, please click on 'Consult'.

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10 Only Skin Care Hacks You Will Ever Need

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