ERASE THE STRETCH MARKS
Stretch marks are scars that develop when our skin stretches or shrinks quickly. The abrupt changes cause rupture of the collagen and elastin present in the deeper layer of the skin, thus leading to scars.
In the early stages, the stretch marks are reddish in colour and slightly elevated. The fresh stretch marks are sometimes associated with itching. With time, they become whitish and depressed and wrinkled. This indicates that the stretch marks have now matured.
Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent stretch marks from developing. If somebody in your family has stretch marks, you also have high chances of developing them at some point in life.
With the help of various topical formulations and procedures, one can lighten their stretch marks and make them less noticeable. When the stretch marks are of recent onset and reddish in colour, creams containing tretinoin and / or hyaluronic acid have been shown to be of some help. But these creams should be applied and massaged in to the skin daily for few weeks before you start to notice any improvement.
More effective way of healing the stretch marks is through certain cosmetic procedures. These include :
- Microneedling with PRP
- Resurfacing laser
- Chemical peel
- Microdermabrasion
- Radiofrequency
- Ultrasound
Among the above mentioned treatment modalities, microneedling with PRP and resurfacing laser are the most commonly used. Both are based on the principle of collagen induction, that is, the fibroblast cells are stimulated to produce new collagen and elastin that replaces the damaged tissue, thus clinically improving the scars. PRP boosts these results as it is a concentrate of growth factors which further stimulate cellular division and metabolism. One would require 4-6 sessions of the treatment to see best results.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is also known as reactive skin, hyperactive skin, intolerant skin, and irritable skin. It is a very common condition. About 40% people in the world have a sensitive skin, with female preponderance.
It is characterised by cutaneous hypersensitivity. Affected individuals complain of itching, burning and stinging sensations with exposure to many skincare products and/ or environmental factors. The skin feels dry, red and irritated. Application of a simple moisturiser or even the best quality cosmetic product leads to severe stinging and burning sensation. It feels as if “no product suits our skin”.
It has a considerable impact on health-related quality of life. People are embarrassed and socially isolated as their skin keeps burning and itching. s
A person develops a sensitive skin majorly because of four reasons
- Defective skin barrier
- Hypersensitivity of peripheral nerve endings in the skin
- Exaggerated cutaneous vascular response
- Allergic predisposition
The triggering factors may be exogenous and endogenous factors.
The important exogenous triggering factors include cosmetics and soaps,
environmental climate like temperature changes, cold, heat, dampness, sun
exposure, stress or emotions, wind, and friction from clothes.
Some of the endogenous factors predisposing to a sensitive skin are having
a dry or greasy skin, a history of childhood atopic dermatitis, being female,
and having a fair skin type.
I am sure that by now more than half of the people reading this, would have identified themselves as having a sensitive skin!
So how do we treat it and take care of it?
If you already have any rashes on your skin, it is highly recommended to visit a qualified dermatologist for a thorough examination of your condition and accordingly take the treatment.
For those you do not have any physical signs like redness or rash, here are the preventive and daily care tips. Routine skin care basically involves three steps – cleansing, moisturising, and sun protection.
Cleansing - skin cleansers should preferably be nonfoaming, with a pH
around 5-5.5, and contain no exfoliates. Look for a product labelled ‘intended for sensitive skin’. Synthetic detergent cleansers (syndets) should
be preferred because they provide an optimum skin cleansing while
minimising barrier damage. Lipid free cleansers cleansing without water
(non-rinsing cleaning lotions) and leaving a thin moisturising film on the skin
might also be a really good solution.
Cleansing masks, peelings, or implements such as a sponge, cotton wool, or
brushing machines should be avoided as they are mostly too rough for
sensitive skin.
Finally, cleaned facial skin should be thoroughly dried by gently patting with
a paper tissue.
Moisturisers - this is the most important step in your daily routine skincare as using a correct moisturiser in cases of sensitive skin will not only help in rehydrating the skin but also will help in restoring the skin barrier. Our skin barrier function is majorly because of the lipids present in the uppermost layer of the skin called as stratum corneum. The main lipids of our skin include ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids (linoleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid). So you should chose a moisturiser which has all these three ingredients. Also make sure that the product you chose if free of any irritant and potential allergens. Look for something labelled as ‘hypoallergenic’. Hypoallergenic implies that the product is based on a special formulation, is gentle and safe for the skin, and causes less allergic reaction.
Sun protection - for people with a sensitive skin, a physical sunscreen is always preferrred, as it does not react chemically with the skin and also provides a broad spectrum protection. So always pick a sun block containing zinc oxide and/ or titanium dioxide. Additionally you should use physical barrier methods as well like an umbrella or scarf or hat while stepping out.
How to chose and use cosmetics if you have a sensitive skin?
Use the smallest possible number of cosmetics
Use cosmetics designed for sensitive, intolerant, or hypoallergenic skin
Use preservative and fragrance free, non comedogenic cosmetics
Use powder cosmetics instead of cream-based products
Hypoallergenic makeup should moisturise the skin, act as a corrective, and must be easy to apply
Mix the corrective foundation with a suitable moisturiser and apply it gently by tapping with fingers
Liquid foundations should base on silicone derivatives (like cyclomethicone, dimethicone)
Eyeliner and mascara should be black
Avoid water proof cosmetics
Avoid nail polishes
Clean rushes after each use
Spraying thermal water all over the face after applying makeup will make it last longer while softening, moisturising, and protecting the skin
Store cosmetics in cool, dry place, and do not leave them uncovered
Avoid cosmetics beyond its expiration date
DON’Ts
Avoid soaps, preservatives, alcohol-based, perfumed, or mentholated products
Avoid over cleansing the skin
Avoid products known to irritate the skin like low pH alpha hydroxy acids, glycolic acid
Avoid procedures known to irritate the skin like massage, peeling, dermabrasion, sponges, brushing, and suction
Avoid hot steam and heating masks
Avoid extremely cold compresses and eye cooling pads
Avoid hot or long bathing as well as taking hot and/ or cold showers
Avoid essential oils and aroma therapy
Avoid epilation and depilation (waxing)
Avoid all sources of skin friction (massage, tight clothes, jewellery)
Avoid extreme temperature changes
