What is Dull Skin and How to manage it?

Dull skin tone is a result of excess dead skin cells that build up on the surface of the skin. Your skin can lose its natural luminosity because of dryness, damaged cells or slow cell turnover, all of which can happen at any age and in any season.

What Causes Dull Skin?

Dull skin tone is typically a result of poor circulation. Common factors that cause dull skin include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, dehydration, and poor diet. Basically, any triggers that deprive your skin of much-needed oxygen and nutrients will result in dull skin tone. Lack of exfoliation — the sloughing off of dead skin cells — can also cause dull skin. Dull skin is also often one of the first signs of aging, as skin renewal decreases about 7% every 10 years.

Cause of skin dullness:  

• Pigmentation
• Uneven skin tone
• Wrong use of skin products
• Overexposure to the sun.

Tanning makes the skin look more dark and burnt due to sun exposure. It can be avoided by

• Regular use of sunscreen
• Use of hats and shades
• Avoiding the sun between 10 to 4pm
• Protective clothing
• Tanning can be removed by
• Hydration with hydra facial
• Lighteners like kojic acid, arbutin, glycolic and lactic acid
• Retinoid peels
• Q switched laser
• Skin polishing

Pigmentation is the formation of melasma or chloasma due to hormonal factors during pregnancy, medicines, and inheritance in the family. melasma can be controlled by

• Medicines
• Chemical peeling
• Avoidance of sun
• Diligent use of sunscreen
• Photo facials

How to Prevent Dull Skin: The best way to prevent dull skin is to avoid triggers like smoking, and by eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet and drinking plenty of water. Also consulting with skin specialists will help you to know your skin better says by Dr. Manju Keshri, senior dermatologist at KEMPS SKIN Clinic. Starting a smart anti-aging skin regimen of exfoliation and antioxidant-rich products in one’s 30s can also be an effective way to prevent dull skin. So keep smiling and glowing.

What is Scar and how it’s treated by dermatologist?

What is a scar?

A scar is an area of fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after an injury. Scars result from the biological process of wound repair in the skin, as well as in other organs and tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a natural part of the healing process.

What are the main types of scars?

Hypertrophic scars: These are red scars that rise above the skin. They do not spread beyond the spot where the injury occurred. Possible treatments include steroid injections and laser surgery.

Keloids: These scars jut out from the skin and spread beyond the spot where the injury occurred. They are caused by the overproduction of certain cells. Over time, keloids may affect mobility (ability to move). Possible treatments include surgery, laser surgery ,radiation or steroid injections. Smaller keloids can be removed with cryotherapy  (freezing therapy using liquid nitrogen). You can also prevent keloids by using pressure treatment, silicone gel. Keloids are more common in darker skin types, specifically people of African or Asian descent. 

Contracture scars: These scars typically occur after the skin is burned. They cause tightening (contracting) of the skin that can reduce the ability to move. This type of scar can go into muscles and nerves.

Acne scars: Any type of acne can leave behind scars. There are many types of acne scars, and they can be shallow or quite deep. Treatment depends on the type of scars.

What are possible treatments for scars?

Over-the-counter or prescription creams, ointments, or gels: These products may reduce scars that are caused by surgical incisions (cuts) or other injuries or wounds. If you are under the care of a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, ask your doctor for recommendations. Treatment options include corticosteroids or antihistamine creams (if your scars are sensitive and cause itching). Your doctor may also recommend intralesional steroid injections, pressure dressings, or silicone gel sheeting to prevent acne scars and to help treat existing scars.

Surgery: There are many options under this category, including skin grafts, excision (removal), or laser surgery. When looking into surgery, discuss with your doctor whether you will have local anesthesia with an oral sedative, or general anesthesia. If you’ve recently had plastic, cosmetic, or other surgery that has caused your scars, it is best to wait at least one year before making a decision about scar removal treatment. Many scars fade and become less noticeable over time.

Injections: In the case of protruding scars such as keloids or hypertrophic scars, your doctor may choose to use steroid injections to flatten the scars. Such injections can be used as a stand-alone treatment, or in combination with other treatments.

Laser therapy:  Laser therapy uses focused beams of light to treat damaged areas on the body. It can remove tumors and other growths, improve vision, stop hair loss, and treat pain. Laser therapy can also improve the appearance of scars.

Laser treatment for scars is an outpatient procedure. Your the doctor repeatedly moves a laser wand over your skin to remove damaged skin cells and diminish scars. These include:

• Injury scars
• Burn marks
• Acne scars
• Dark spots,
•  Age spots

Because this procedure involves heat and light, your doctor may not recommend it if you have light sensitivity. Certain medications can cause this type of sensitivity. Be sure to speak with your doctor to see if you’re a good candidate.

Your doctor may also discourage laser treatments if you take blood-thinning medications due to the risk of bleeding and if you have active acne, skin sores & darker skin

Contact KEMPS skin clinic they have the latest equipment and the technique to remove scar by laser.

Makeup allergy and its treatment

Common Signs of a Makeup Allergy: Some ingredients in skincare products can cause skin allergy. Allergies should be differentiated from other reactions such as skin irritation caused by active ingredients like retinoic, lactic and glycolic acid (red, flaking skin without the itch) or acne breakouts that are produced by comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients.

An allergic reaction from makeup, or allergic contact dermatitis often appears as red, itchy and flaky rashes that can even crack or appear like blisters in the most severe cases (when infected, for example. 

The rash typically occurs where you have applied the makeup; though it can technically appear anywhere you have had contact with the exposure. For the majority, this means the eyelids and the delicate skin surrounding the eyes, which is up to five times thinner than the rest of the skin on the face.

In some cases, skin reactions to makeup could take time and require several applications before manifesting. “One of the most important things to know about contact dermatitis, which also makes it the most challenging, is that the reaction does not always appear right away. Sometimes, you can be using the products for weeks, months or even years before you start having symptoms,” says by a dermatologist.

Some elements in a product that cause allergy

Lanolin or Wool Alcohols: Used as an emollient and lubricant often found in foundations, eye shadows, blushes, mascaras, eyeliners, moisturizers, face masks, lipsticks, and lip balms.

Nickel: A common contaminant found in pigments that are used in eye shadows, hair dyes, costume jewelry, and antiperspirants.

Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCT): Antibacterial and anti-fungal preservatives found in mascara, makeup remover, liquid soaps, cleansers and other personal care products.

Balsam of Peru: A fragrant resin, with a scent similar to that of vanilla and cinnamon, typically added to essential oils, hair products, baby powders, and sunscreens.

How to Treat a Makeup Allergy:

Treatment of an allergic reaction from cosmetics depends on the situation, to quickly calm any redness or itching, Dr. suggests treating the area with a cool compress before applying topical creams like hydrocortisone or calamine lotion. “Finally, over-the-counter oral antihistamines may be used to reduce inflammation”. For severe reactions, or when the irritation involves swelling in your eyelids, tongue, lips or mouth and difficulty in breathing or speaking, senior skin specialist says that it’s best to consult your doctor while facing such an issue.

How to do skin care during festival

Diwali is here again. We brighten up our faces with a beautiful glow. Everyone wants to look their best, but unfortunately, they often end up looking at their worst due to the consumption of unhealthy rich food, stress due to hectic shopping, the pollution in the air due to incessant firecrackers and lack of time for skincare.

happy attitude to life and a stress-free mind is the most essential ingredient to get a special glow on skin, so you need to start making an effort to achieve that before you start the beauty routine. Having taken this initial step, let us move a step further. That is the skincare which is very important keeping in mind the added pollution and the stress.  

Precautions during Diwali :

Limit your sweet intake:  overdose on sugary and fried goodies, in a few days it'll start showing on your face -- breakouts, dull skin, weight gain, not to mention allergies thanks to the artificial colors and flavors that go into mass-produced sweets. Make sure to include plenty of fresh fruit and raw vegetables in your diet.

Don’t stop working out: Do not compromise on your health. Continue your exercise regime as usual and you'll be thankful at the end of the season that you didn't pile on the pounds.

Hydrate yourself: Use a water-based moisturizer frequently and drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin. Lukewarm water to which honey and lemon can be added takes away the puffiness of face caused by fluid retention at night.

Protect your skin from firecrackers: Stay at least six to seven feet away from lit fireworks. If you have sensitive skin, it's a good idea to tie a cotton scarf over your face while lighting or watching fireworks. Wash your face thoroughly with mild soap and water immediately afterward and follow up with a moisturizer. In case of burns, wash the area immediately with cool running water for 10 minutes or longer, till the burning sensation eases. Apply an antibiotic cream on mild burns and consult a doctor immediately.

Care from the skin : Excessive exposure to pollution can cause premature aging and wrinkles on the skin. Excessive humidity can cause acne eruption, fungal infections and a host of other skin diseases. Skin stays excessively sticky and greasy and should be washed every few hours with a gel face wash.

Basics of skincare:

Cleansing: Toxins from the body and pollutants from the environment give the skin a dull look. Instead of soap use a face wash. Gel or foam for normal to oily skin and crème cleansers for those with dry skin.

Makeup remover: For those using makeup, use extra makeup remover wipes prior to cleansing the face. Available with leading cosmetic brands, cold milk, as well as baby oil, is a good makeup remover especially for dry skins.

Moisturizing: Different skin types have different requirements. Choose from creams for dry skin, lotions for normal skin and gels for oily skin. No matter the skin type, always moisturize prior to sleeping.

Scrubbing: Exfoliation removes dead skin cells; but skin cells shed every 28 days so use scrub only once a week or once a month (depending on skin type). Use bran soaked in water, moong dal scrub or ones available in the market. Do not over scrub as it removes all moisture from the skin and may also harm the skin.

Masks: Fruits like papaya, banana have the capacity to dissolve toxins when applied, oily skin can use Multani mitti or clay pack.

Avoid cheaper formulas that tend to be less refined. And remember, contrary to popular belief, natural skincare is not always suitable for sensitive skin. You only have to be allergic to pollen to understand easily why natural can, in some cases, not be the way forward.' Says by Dr.Manju Keshari, Skin Expert and Senior Dermatologist at KEMPS Skin Clinic, Vaishali, Ghaziabad.