What does a doctor have to do with looking good, you may well ask. What can he do that your friendly neighbourhood beautician cannot rectify. After all she serves up home remedies for falling hair, acne and pigmentation. But wait a minute! These are serious problems that can be aggravated by quick-fix solutions. In fact, if arrested at the right time, these problems can be a thing of the past before you can say, well, dermatologist.But the first hurdle to overcome is the misconception that specialists are only for serious diseases and that pimples and dandruff could possibly not qualify under that category. "People always feel apprehensive about approaching doctors. And beauticians feel threatened," says Dr Rekha Sheth, skin specialist and cosmetologist. The main problem, feels Sheth, is the lack of co-ordination between beauticians and cosmetologists. The Cosmetology Society of India was formed to bring together dermatologists, plastic surgeons, beauticians and cosmeticians under one roof. It also aims to regulate a home grown industry, that is, most beauty parlours dotting the city are run out of housewives homes.The purpose is to curb the infections that one might pick up due to carelessness or lack of proper hygiene. And waxing - that monthly must - is a hotbed of infection. Most parlours tend to use the same strip of cloth, washed and dryed from a previous use. Rashes on the arms is a general complaint. Most women dismiss it as a common reaction to waxing, but it is not that simple. If you get a rash everytime you wax, then it is time to go to your GP. "There was this case where a girl waxed her whole body for her wedding. The unhygienic conditions at the parlour resulted in small pus-like boils all over her body just two days before her wedding," says Sheth.Nail infection is another cause of concern. Since most manicure and pedicure equipment is made of blunt instruments, it is absolutely necessary that they should be sterilised after every use. While conducting the first training batch at the Iz Cosmetology School, Sheth insisted on washing so many times that the students were convinced she was obsessed with cleanliness. "I have seen so many cases which are a result of unhygienic conditions that I wanted to make sure these students don't make the same mistake," she says.Hair fall is the only problem which is taken seriously. This is generally due to a lack of protein in the body. "Women on a diet come and ask me the reason for their hair loss. They don't understand that milk is an important source of proteins. Naturally there will be hair loss," says Dr Sheth.Similarly the doctor can help with problems like acne and pigmentation as often they are caused by hormonal imbalances. Stress is also a major culprit. "As soon as a patient walks in, I ask them about their job. Today, women are working as hard as the man and managing the house as well. Coping with both is a stressful situation," she says. Stress can also make you more like a man. It leads to the release of androgens (male hormones), the excess of which might lead to acne, hair loss and sprouting of hair on the upper lip and chin. It might start with a few pimples and period irregularities. This might be normal till the teenage years but if it persists, it must be checked out.Heat rash, fungal infection and pigmentation is also on the rise. Pigmentation is a slow process, but takes a long time to cure. This can be a result of a sub standard cosmetic or due to an internal problem like anaemia or ovarian dysfunction. Sun screens are a must, according to Dr Sheth. But here even cheap cosmetics can lead to skin abuse, especially in people who are prone to acne. The safer option is to use calamine lotions and carry an umbrella if stepping out in the sun. Wash your face at least twice a day with some mild soap. In the evening always wash your face with hot/warm water, this will help remove the grime, advises Dr Sheth.Our beauty habits are a part of maintaining good health. Persisting acne should be as much cause for concern as fever.
