Dr. Varun Sarin

Following a proper skin care regime ensures a flawless skin. You cannot enjoy a beautiful, supple, flawless skin without taking good care of it or putting much effort into it. Giving energy and time into taking good care of your skin will result in soft and alluring skin. However, sometimes despite a proper skin care regime, your skin looks dull and unhealthy. This is due to the habits you have incorporated that ruin your skin as a consequence and make it look drab. Mentioned below are 5 habits which are terrible for your skin and should be stopped at once. 

1. Washing your face with harsh cleansers:
Most people who are prone to oily skin resulting in acne and pimples, resort towards cleansers and exfoliators to dry their skin out. While this seems like a great idea in theory, the cleaners end up removing the beneficial oils produced by the skin and destroy the skin's natural protective barrier. 

2. Using products stored in jars:
Skin experts and dermatologists believe that tube packaged products are much better than products stored in a jar. This is because most skin care products contain antioxidants which break down when repeatedly exposed to air and sun thus making your products less effective with every use.

3. Skimping on sleep:
Apart from benefitting your mood, energy levels and metabolism, sleep also rewards you with a beautiful skin. It keeps dark circles away and makes your skin glow. Lack of sleep causes stress and generates free radicals in our skin, thus harming it. 

4. Using cotton pillowcases instead of satin ones:
Your collagen breaks down due to persistent pressure of your face into your pillow which is traumatic to your skin. Avoid too much friction by opting for satin pillows instead of cotton ones. Moreover, if you are prone to acne, wash your pillows every week to remove the buildup of residue that accumulates on your sheets. 

5. Talking too much on the phone:
Studies show that bacteria gathers on the surface of your phone which is why you must clean it every time you talk over the phone or talk to them on speaker. Phone applies pressure on your face which traps the oil and causes zits.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Most people have suffered from acne at some point of their life or the other. However, acne is one of the most misunderstood skin conditions. Let's take a look at 5 myths and facts about acne.

Acne is caused by poor hygiene habits - Myth
Acne is not caused by dirty skin. Contrary to popular belief, washing your face too many times can make the condition of your skin deteriorate. This can also worsen your acne breakout. Aggressively soaping your skin and excessive use of astringent can also traumatize the skin and make it look worse after treatment. You should ideally wash your face twice a day; once in the morning and once before going to bed. However, if you feel a buildup of oil on your face, you can wash it with luke warm water and a mild soap.

Acne affects people of all ages - Fact
Acne is most common amongst teenagers but can affect people of all races and ages. Hormonal changes and stress are two of the most common triggers for acne. Acne that begins after the age of 25 years is known as 'late onset acne'. Hormonal changes associated with a woman's menstrual cycles often trigger acne eruptions.

There is no treatment for acne - Myth
Acne does not go away on its own. At the same time, toothpaste and 'picking pimples' are not the best form of treatment for this condition. Acne can be easily treated with over the counter and prescription drugs. In some cases, you may also need antibiotics or hormonal medication. If left untreated, acne can result in permanent scarring that mars your beauty.

Moisturizing skin can help prevent acne - Fact
It may seem contradictory at first glance but keeping your skin moisturized can help prevent acne. Dehydrated skin produces more oil than hydrated skin. Thus keeping your skin hydrated is essential. Choose a light moisturizer instead of heavy crams.

Makeup causes acne - Myth
Makeup has often been misunderstood as trigger for acne. However, makeup itself does not cause acne. The fault lies in not removing makeup properly at the end of the day. If you have oily skin that is prone to acne, choose powder based foundations instead of liquid foundations that can clog your pores. If you use a lot of makeup through the day, give your skin time to breathe at night. Ensure that every trace of makeup is removed before you go to bed. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Warts refer to a type of a deformity in the skin, which refers to the formation of a small, hard, benign growth on the skin's surface. It is generally caused by a viral infection and results in a feeling of discomfort or pain. Additionally, laser surgery is a technique which uses a sharp and strong beam of light to destroy the wart tissue from the skin. The surgical process is usually performed at a doctor's clinic or chamber, under proper medical supervision.

When should you consider laser surgery?
Ideally a laser surgery should be your last resort to remove a wart when all the other means of removing a wart have failed. You should opt for a laser surgery only under the following circumstances:

• Medicines have not been able to remove the wart
• Warts are large and widespread
• Appearance of warts during pregnancy (only after consulting your doctor)

What should you keep in mind?

Before opting for surgery:
A laser surgery is a quite complicated process, but its effects are rapid and effective. Some of the things to be kept in mind before you actually opt for a laser treatment are as follows:

• Laser technology does not lead to scarring on the skin
• The surgery requires a local anesthetic, which is used for making the affected body part numb
• Laser treatments should not be used as an initial treatment
• It is a sure shot way to remove warts

Post surgery:
After a laser surgery the wound is generally painful depending upon the intensity, location and number of warts that are removed. Some of the probable outcomes of a laser surgery are as follows:

• Bleeding of warts lasting upto 1 week
• Mild to severe pain
• Short lived fever
• Yellowish discharge, which is to be cleaned

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Dermabrasion is a procedure where a brush made up of wire or a rough edged diamond wheel is used on the skin to remove the upper layer from the skin. The rotation of the brush causes the upper layer of the skin to come off and may cause bleeding. The skin that comes off is replaced with new skin.

Why it is done -

1. The procedure may be used to treat various surgical scars.
2. Usually this procedure is used to get rid of acne scars.
3. The procedure is used to treat various superficial growths that occur on the skin such as small cysts.
4. It may also be used to treat wrinkles around the mouth.

Procedure -

The area where the procedure is carried out is marked and then cleaned properly. Local anesthetics are used to numb the skin followed by application of ice pack for about half an hour. If the preceding procedures do not harden the skin enough, then a freezing spray may be used to firm up the skin. Gauze may be used to restrict the bleeding which results from the procedure. The area is then cleaned and ointment is applied.

Post-surgery
The depth and size of the procedure determines how much time the recovery process will take. For example - a small patch of skin will take little time to heal compared to a full face dermabrasion. It usually takes 6-7 days for the skin to regrow, which is pink in color. The color tends to fade away in 2-3 months. Usually patients do not suffer from pain, but if you do have some pain then you can take pain relievers. Corticosteroids may be used to treat swellings, if any.

You need to follow certain precautionary measures after the surgery -

1. Regular cleaning of the skin to avoid various infections of the skin.
2. Regular changing of the dressing and the ointment to speed up the healing process.
3. Sun exposure needs to be avoided as the new skin is prone to damage. You may use sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun's rays.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!