Health: Experts list effective ways for better skin and hair care

Pigmentation skin darkening blemishes black spots or the more blatant imperfections mdash a quick TV scan is likely to throw up these terms pointing you in the direction that anything but an even skin tone is a problem that needs rectification or at least concealingA recent survey on Indian skin and hair via a collaboration between the Indian Association of Dermatologists Venereologists and Leprologists and an international cosmetics company has shown a higher frequency of pigmentation disorder occurrence in Indian population Facial darkness like melasma and dark circles touch 30 per cent of Indians it says But before you get alarmed it is important to understand that there are multiple kinds of pigmentation and not all of them need a diseaselike treatment In fact many have a racial origin common in a particular skin colour which explains why a Caucasian modelrsquos skin tone may not be the best benchmark for IndiansThe findings also showed that for premature greying environmental and nutritional factors are as responsible as genetic factors We spoke to dermatologists and trichologists to sift false alarms from real concernsWhy we spotOne of the most common kinds of pigmentation is one that runs in families ldquoCalled Pigmentary Demarcation Lines they appear as winglike extensions of dark circles that go down to the cheeks or to the sides of the mouthrdquo explains Dr Nina Madnani consultant dermatologist and hair specialist at PD Hinduja National Hospital ldquoOur lives would be much simpler if we begin to look at this pigmentation as a variation of the normal and not a problem or diseaserdquo she suggestsExplaining the predisposition of Indian skin towards pigmentation Dr Madnani says ldquoAny pimple or burn leaves behind extra pigmentation in the Indian skin typerdquo Nylon brush dermititis or pigmentation caused due to physical abrasion of the skin when scrubbed with a loofah or a plastic scrub too irritates the Indian skin more than other skin typesAsians also have a gene for macular amyloidosis wherein sun exposure can cause bluishgrey pigmentation on the forehead sides of the face upper back and arms This is harmful for the skin and needs medical treatment Melasma a similar pigmentation on the cheeks bridge of the nose forehead and chin is more common in North Eastern India where there may be brief but intense sun exposureldquoRiehlrsquos melanosis is another type of pigmentation one acquires as a reaction to certain chemicals in hair dyes perfumes parabens essential oils colophony mustard oil and amla oil This appears as a patchy pigmentation on the face and neckrdquo says Dr MadnaniHow to treat itUnless the pigmentation is skin damaging which needs a qualified dermatologistrsquos attention most forms are harmless ldquoOur idea of whatrsquos normal has changed thanks to fairnessobsessed media messagesrdquo says Dr MadnaniHowever when there is cause for concern each case could have its own triggers Hormonal imbalance vitamin deficiencies or fatigue levels could be the cause says Dr Madnani Using lsquoantimarksrsquo products could further aggravate the problem ldquoSome components in these products make the skin more sensitive to the sunrdquo she adds In such cases dermatologists ask the patients to bring all their skin products to review them and zero in on the problematic ingredientDr Madnani also advises against chemical peels herbal or laser skinlightening treatments as they are temporary in nature Premature greying While one of the biggest reasons for premature greying is genetic the research that was conducted among 4840 students mentioned environmental and nutritional factors as well Citybased trichologist Dr Shankar Sawant says a growing number of people now approach him with the problemldquoThe average Indian age for natural greying is 35 years Appearance of greys before that can be considered prematurerdquo says Dr Sawant ldquoIf not genetic the cause could be a deficiency of Vitamin B complex or calcium pantothenate stress or improper diet Improving the diet by including more green vegetables and proteins is a part of the treatment Vitamin supplements help toordquo he adds Rarely does greying show a reversal but these measures certainly help stabilise the processHair fallldquoFar more alarming than premature greying is the growing incidence of hair fall or balding especially among womenrdquo shares Dr Madnani ldquoThere are various triggers that cause the gene responsible for hair fall and hair thinning to switch on much earlier Erratic lifestyle long intervals between meals pesticides in food Vitamin B12 iron and calcium deficiencies pollutants that can mix with the hair sebum mdash all cause hair lossrdquo she says Women suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Disorder PCOD often experience hair fall Restoring hormonal balance can control itFor luscious locksCompensate for your stress levels with a healthy diet that includes green veggies and proteinsRule out or rectify vitamin deficienciesIf PCOD is the reason for your hair fall maintaining ideal BMI would helpComply fully with the doctor if you are being treated for hair loss patience is keyFor butter skinEnsure you have no vitamin deficienciesAvoid using strongly perfumed cosmetic productsIf any product burns or irritates the skin stop using it immediately and seek medical helpUse sunscreenAvoid taking advice from unqualified professionalsIf your dermatologist rules out any cause for concern accept your skin the way it is