For the DIY fab face

The benefits of facial yoga stem from improved circulation. Representation pic

Skin Care is proving to be a preferred means of self-care, especially during these uncertain times. With beauty enthusiasts scouring social media for inspiration, several trends have risen to the fore. While many of these are DIY home remedies, some involve the use of expensive equipment and beauty products. We invited experts to break down these trends based on their efficacy.

Face yoga
"The goal of these exercises is hyper-stimulate your facial muscles. However, facial ageing is not caused by muscle loss alone; other reasons include loss of skin elasticity or fat atrophy, where the fat pads under your skin wear out or decline, giving rise to folds and sagging skin," explains Dr Batul Patel, a dermatologist and founder of The Bombay Skin Clinic. She adds that while these exercises can have some effect on your mid and lower face, the effects are not significant. Further, if you have a small and thin face, facial yoga could cause you to lose more fat, which will cause you to look more haggard. Dr Chytra V Anand, a cosmetic dermatologist and founder of Kosmoderma Clinics points out that the benefits from these exercises are related to improved local circulation and lymphatic drainage: "While they won't do any harm, they are not the most effective for anti-ageing."

Dr Batul Patel

LED devices
Hand-held LED devices can be expensive, but owing to their celebrity backing, have found their way into numerous skincare regimens. "The light emitted by these devices is of certain wavelengths - while red light has anti-inflammatory, skin healing and skin calming benefits and can be used for about 20 minutes a day, blue light has anti-bacterial properties and helps with oil reduction. This can be used for those with acne-prone skin every alternate day," says Dr Anand. However, she cautions that if your skin is prone to pigmentation and tans easily, these devices are best avoided. Dr Patel adds that LED treatments are slow-acting and, even in the clinic, can take several sittings to produce results: "It's important to use a high-quality device that has been approved for home use. Further, make sure you're using these with a comprehensive skincare plan that addresses any concerns."

Dr Chytra V Anand

Chemical peels
Although chemical peels are more effective than scrubs, says Dr Anand, "Pay attention to whether the formula you are choosing is pH balanced. Any formulate with a pH of less than 3.5 under clinical supervision is highly acidic and must only be used under medical supervision," she warns. Overuse or the wrong combination could damage your skin barrier, resulting excessive oiliness or dryness.