Dr. Swati Agarwal

Hello everyone,

I am Dr Swati Agarwal I am a dermatologist at skin Nation Clinics Delhi.

So today we are talking about chemical peels, chemical peels is a common skin procedure done by a Dermatologist, basically, chemical peel are for skin rejuvenation, there is no one best peel for everybody because the various factors that decide which peel will go best for one and might not be the peel of choice for the other. Why, because there are various factors that decide like which peel we are choosing for a patient and not for the other. So what are these factors, first and most important is patient skin type, for example is the skin type dry or whether it is oily, whether it is sensitive or maybe it is acne prone. The other factors are the indication, that is, why are we doing the peel, whether it is for acne or it is for pigmentation caused by acne which is one of the most common indications or it might be for photodamaged face that is sun tanning. Patients also ask for procedures for under eye pigmentation, underarm pigmentation and fine lines for these indications also chemical peel is the first, foremost and the commonest done procedure. So, what are the various types of peels? If we talk about the consequence the commonly used Peels are glycolic, salicylic acids, lactic the more near ones like a ferulic, acetic, arginine and retinol peels. So as I was telling you for what indication we are doing the peel and what skin type we are doing the peel, we decide the consequent, so, one which is best for the one person might not be good for the other. When we treat with the Dermatologist, the benefit that you get is that every time when appeal is been done at the gap of 2 week or 3 week or maybe a month, depending on the changes that is skin has reached to we can select the different Peel. So in a treatment section of most of the time 6 to 8 sittings, every time you can get something new and a better peel to reach to a ultimate best result. Patients also ask about and most of times are worried about side effects, so when we use the peel as I was telling you which use the best constituent, most of the time gel based peels are far superior and safer as compared to alcohol based and water based peels. So when the gel based peel are used the side effect profile is much-much, better although there can be some mild redness, burning or stinging for a very short duration, most of the time just in the duration of peels say hardly 5 to 10 minutes but some patients might feel it for maximum 24 hours. The most important thing that we tell all of our patients is the use of sunscreen. So, anytime everybody should use sunscreen whether they are getting done the peel or not but normal they are getting done the peel, the indication and the usefulness and the importance of sunscreens is increased like force more than the normal individual. In a like doing the procedure of chemical peel, we give you sunscreen again the according to your skin type. So if you are looking for anything like under eye pigmentation, rejuvenation, glow on face like working on your acne on your acne marks and not only face if you are wanting to work on the pigmentation like knothole pigmentation that is on your fingers, under arm pigmentation, body pigmentation, elbow, knee then chemical peels can help you.

Thank you so much for patient listening, for any further queries you are most welcome to find me on Lybrate. Thank you for patience listening.

A tattoo has a strong emotional association with the person having it. Commonly it is the loved ones name, idols, quotes or just anything that a person feels connected to. However, over time, it may happen that the tattoo may not hold the same relevance as it used to once upon a time. It could also lose its aesthetic appeal it once held. Whatever the reason, the tattoo needs to go. While tattoos were considered something permanent, there are now ways to remove it.

While the earlier methods were crude including removing the tattooed skin and grafting new skin, sanding the area, or dermabrasion; but today with the use of laser, the process has become much simpler and convenient. Laser is now the most widely used method of removing the tattoo.

A thorough evaluation to see the extent of the tattoo, in terms of depth, size and colors, is done before planning its removal. The type, strength and sessions of lasers will depend on these factors.

During the removal, the tattooed area is focused with a handheld device that emits laser light of the desired frequency and strength. This removes the colored pigments (know more about pigmentations problem) of the tattoo without affecting the surrounding skin. Different wavelengths of light are used to remove different pigments, which get broken down. These pigments are then washed out from the body as wastes.

Depending on the size and colors used in the tattoo, more than one sitting may be required. For large ones, up to 6 to 8 months may be required for complete removal. A minimum of 4 weeks gap is required between two sittings, allowing sufficient time for the skin to heal.

Professional vs Amateur Tattoos

Professional applied tattoos penetrate deeper into the skin at uniform levels which can make it easier to treat, but not always, as the ink is usually more dense. Amateur tattoos are often applied with an uneven hand which can make the removal challenging but overall they are easier to remove.

Risks and Side Effects

There are a handful of symptoms you might see post-treatment. Among them are blisters, swelling, raising of the tattoo, pinpoint bleeding, redness, and/or temporary darkening. Not to worry, though. These are common and usually subside within one to two weeks. If they don't, talk to your doctor.

1. The way getting tattoo caused some pain, the removal will also cause some pain. Topical or local anaesthesia is used to make it comfortable.

2. Not just the tattoo pigment but also some of the natural skin pigment is lost, so the skin can become lighter or darker than the surrounding skin.

3. In some cases, there could be some scarring. The scar (know more about scars) will get better and can be treated after tattoo laser sessions.

So, if you thought a tattoo is forever, it is not so. Go ahead and plan for its removal, of course after understanding what it entails. If there is any tattoo on your body which you no longer like, meet your dermatologist for consultation and then laser to make that undesired ink fade!!

Sunscreens help shield you from the dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun in two ways. Some work by scattering the light, reflecting it away from your body. Others absorb the UV rays before they reach your skin.

A few years ago, choosing a good sunscreen meant you just looked for a high sun protection factor (SPF), which rates how well the sunscreen protects against one type of cancer causing UV ray, ultraviolet B (UVB). SPF refers to blockage of UVB rays only.

Research soon showed that ultraviolet A rays (UVA) also increase skin cancer risk. While UVA rays doesn't cause sunburn, they penetrate deeply into skin and cause wrinkles. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that up to 90% of skin changes associated with aging are really caused by a lifetime's exposure to UVA rays.

Whether you are heading out to the beach for relaxing, swimming or you are traveling out on the nature trail for a fun day of hiking, sunscreen should be an important part of your day. Follow the instructions contained in this guide to learn how to choose a sunscreen that is right for you. Clearly, you will want a sunscreen with broad-spectrum or multi-spectrum protection for both UVB and UVA.

Tips for choosing the right sunscreen:

1. Broad Spectrum: It means the sunscreen protects against UVB and UVA rays and helps prevent skin cancer and sunburn.
2. High UVA protection: Penetration of UV rays of the sun can be easily prevented and thus severe kinds of skin troubles can be eliminated. In this case, the product label needs to be checked so that you can get 100% assurance that your skin will be protected against UV rays for sure.
3. Water resistance: Pick a sunscreen, which is Water Resistant (effective for up to 40 minutes in water) or Very Water Resistant (effective for up to 80 minutes in water). This means the sunscreen provides protection while swimming or sweating up to the time listed on the label. Even when using a water resistant sunscreen, you should reapply after getting out of the water or after sweating.
4. Medicated Products: Do not go by the local brands rather you must choose only medicated products.
5. Daily usage: Using sunscreen on a daily basis is a great necessity. In fact, this is one of the most important steps for getting most productive effects. You can apply the cream, especially before going under direct sun.
6. Skin friendliness: The sunscreen should not contain any toxic elements or chemicals, otherwise your skin will get adversely affected. Different kinds of skin damages can occur such as spots, patches skin allergies or infections if you do not choose the right sunscreen apt for your skin.
7. Correct application of sunscreen: Apply on exposed areas: You should apply sunscreen, especially on those body parts that usually remain exposed towards sun all the time. If you frequently wear bikinis, then you should include legs, thighs, arms, back, face and other areas.
8. Enriched with moisturizers: If the sunscreen is equipped with moisturizers, then your skin will become smoother and soothing effects will be found. Some of the moisturizers consist of organic ingredients that can improve skin quality and texture to a great extent. These moisturizers also provide sufficient nutrients to your skin.
9. Frequent application: If you are willing to get best results and utmost protection from UV rays, then nothing can be the right way out other than applying the sunscreen on a frequent basis. After every two-hours, you are advised to apply the sunscreen.
10. Wearing sun protection accessories: Apart from applying the sunscreen lotion, you are advised wearing different kinds of useful sun-protection accessories for getting greater protection. Some of the most prominent accessories are sunglasses, long sleeves, umbrella and others.

Everyone desires a beautiful glowing skin, but a certain amount of effort and dedication is needed to achieve that. Apart from a basic skin care routine, you also need to eat right and maintain a healthy lifestyle to flaunt that inner glow. Making sure that your skin is safe, considering the pollution and the free radicals you expose your skin to, is important too.

Knowing the answers to certain questions can really benefit your skin. Read on to find out the most important questions you should definitely keep in mind on your next visit to the dermatologist.

1. Do you have any symptoms of sun damage: Sunspots are the most common signs of overexposure to sunlight, which can be easily noticed if they are on your face, hands, or legs. But there are areas on your body which might be affected and are not visible like back, ear, and feet. Let your dermatologist check your skin for any signs, because negligence can lead to skin cancer.
2. Why are you breaking out frequently: Instead of applying numerous anti-acne products and trying out home remedies, it is better to seek guidance from a dermatologist. There can be various reasons for acne like hormonal fluctuations, skin care products, poor diet, etc. The dermatologist can figure out the reason and provide suitable medications to help you effectively deal with acne.
3. Is your current skin care routine suitable for you: There is always something new in the market and you might be tempted to try them. No matter what the product claims, you need to get a heads up from your dermatologist before using them because they can cause harmful reactions to your skin or lead to break out. A dermatologist's job is to examine your skin and determine the issues to recommend appropriate products that can target the problem areas. On your next visit, be sure to carry your current skin care products to know whether they are working for you.
4. Do your moles look suspicious: If any of your moles have changed over time, then you must get it checked. The common symptoms of melanoma are moles with uneven color, large diameter and asymmetrical border.

Related Tip: "Should I Use A Lotion Or A Cream For Dry Skin?"