On 18 March, 2023 Seniors Today hosted their weekly Health Live Webinar with Dr Vrushali Rane Khan, a board certified dermatologist practicing in Mumbai who spoke on and busted myths on skin health.
About Dr Vrushali Rane Khan:
Dr Vrushali Rane Khan is a board certified dermatologist with around 20 years of experience. She practises from her clinic in Mumbai but is also available for online consultations pan-India.
After completing her post graduation in dermatology from the JJ Hospital, she also has done her diploma in cosmetic Laser Surgery from ABLS, USA. She has authored chapters in postgraduate level academic textbooks of dermatology.
She is a Rotarian, a trekker (done her Everest base camp trek this year), a mom trekker (takes her children on treks). She is active on social media and also conducts corporate workshops busting myths about skin and hair care products and practices.
Myth No. 1
Facials cause skin tightening
Every Indian woman undergoes a facial at least once a month.
A facial can lead to a temporary glow, reduce tanning, it can also help you in getting rid of a few pimples.
A facial can almost never give you any kind of skin tightening.
There are very different kinds of skin treatments that can cause skin tightening but facials are not one of them.
Myth No. 2
Only teenagers get acne
Acne is a multifactorial skin condition.
Teenage Acne: this is because of the normal hormonal changes in the pre pubescent and pubescent age group.
This can range from the age of 13 to 26
Adult acne: this is seen in people over the age of 30 years.
The common causes for adult acne can include-
- Hormonal imbalance
- Usage of wrong cosmetics. Not removing your make up
- Facial. When done at wrong places where the instruments are not sterilised properly.
- Smoking
- Improper diet
Anyone can get acne from the age of 9 to 49.
Myth No. 3
Home remedies help the skin
Home Remedies can work on skin glow, removing skin tan and skin hydration. This can be seen after regular use of items such as curd, honey, turmeric.
Home remedies do not work on pigmentation, skin allergies.
On the other hand, it has been scientifically proven to cause allergies after use of haldi, aloevera, lemon, garlic.
Toothpaste is one of the most common household items used for acne. Toothpaste when used on acne can cause increase in the cane and leave a mark at the site. Thus, toothpaste should never be used on acne.
Myth No. 4
Mangoes cause acne
- Mango is one of the most hydrating fruits.
– It not only helps in hydration but is also an antioxidant and galactogenic fruit.
Galactgenic means that it can cause increase breast feeding in lactating/ nursing women.
The side effects of mangoes are none, if consumed in moderation.
If you consume too many mangoes, it increases your blood glucose levels. And it is this rise in the blood glucose levels that can cause acne.
Sometimes, we eat mangoes and do not wash it off our face after consumption, that too can be the cause for acne. The leftover pulp of the mango over the face can cause heat boils and not the consumption of it.
Myth No. 5
People with oily skin do not need to moisturise
The skin glow on a person’s face is attributed to 3 things
- Texture of your skin
- Uniformity of colour
- Hydration on skin
Hydration is very important and key for all skin types.
Even in hot and humid climates, it is important to hydrate.
Sometimes, there can be an over compensatory secretion of oil from the skin to make up for the lack of hydration.
Even for oily/ acne prone skin types, hydration is a must.
Myth No. 6
You only need sunscreen on a sunny day
Sunscreen is the foundation of any skin care regimen.
Even the tinted glasses on your vehicle can protect you from no more than 20% of the UV rays of the sun.
If there is light, there is harmful ultraviolet radiation regardless of the season.
Beaches and areas with snow give you the worst kind of skin damage because the UV rays also reflect from the snow and water. In such cases you need to double the amount of sunscreen that you apply.
When you are inside an airplane, even then you need to double the amount of sunscreen application.
Sunscreen should be worn all around the year.
Myth No. 7
Scrubbing/ exfoliation should be done at regular intervals
While scrubbing, you are trying to smoothen your skin. But in the bargain you are also losing the good oils which are present on your skin.
Sometimes you also end up removing your normal skin in addition to the dead skin.
Occasionally, the scrub particles can clog in your open pores leading to more acne, irritation and allergies.
Exfoliation is our body’s inbuilt mechanism of sweeping.
However, if you feel that you have a chronically rough skin, there are chemical exfoliants that are available such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid which can be prescribed to you by your dermatologist depending on your skin type.
Myth No. 8
Face masques are beneficial for skin
Face masques are no different than a conditioner that you apply to your hair after you wash your hair.
Invest wisely when it comes to masques.
Myth no. 9
Antibacterial soaps are good for skin
Our skin has a lot of good bacterial and fungus on it.
It is this good bacteria and fungus that protects our skin from the harmful bacterial in the environment.
Using an antibacterial soap can also rid your skin of the good bacteria on it, making your skin more prone to infections, they are also dehydrating for the skin.
Use an antibacterial soap should only be used when prescribed by a dermatologist.
Myth No. 10
Darkening of neck is a sign of poor hygiene
Darkening of the neck is a symptom.
The most common cause can be due to hormonal pigmentation and the most common cause can be diabetes, obesity.
It can also be caused due to friction or hormonal imbalance.
It can also be due to Vit B12 deficiency.
Scrubbing/ pumice stone makes it worse.
Dark neck does not mean lack of hygiene.
Ways to make your skin healthy:
- Turn off your social media. Choose your influencer wisely. Only take advice from your dermatologist.
Skin health has 4 pillars:
- Nutrition: increase protein intake
Reduce high glycemic index foods- ice cream, chocolates
Cut down on maida, bakery items
Add antioxidants in your diet- includes fruits and vegetables that are red/ yellow/ orange/ purple
Increase the amount of good fats in your diet- almonds, walnuts, raisin
Take supplements for Vit C, Omega fatty acids, glutathione
- Hydration: 3 litres of water a day
Moisturise your skin daily
- Protection: wear your sunscreen daily, irrespective of the weather/ season.
Repeat your sunscreen every 2-3 hours.
Add a cap or an umbrella as an accessory to protect your skin further.
- Creams/ procedures: keep your skin care simple
Retinoids are Anti-ageing. It has to be correct for your skin and should also give you results
Vit C serums are also available and help with pigmentation
Hyaluronic acid serums are not recommended. They only plump up your skin but do not give any long term benefits.
