What exactly are white-heads? Can they be prevented, and how does one get rid of them ?

The opening in the skin from where the hair comes out is called as PORES, which get blocked. This could be due excessive cell turnover of those cells lining the inner skin wall of the follicle. This blockage leads to inability of the Sebum secreted by the glands from draining to the surface. Soon bacteria start growing and COMEDONE forms. A whitehead is a comedone where the sebum is not visible.

Chemical peeling done once a month helps in getting rid of whiteheads.

Should one use moisturiser before or after applying sunblock? How will the skin absorb the second product ?

A body lotion should be applied on the entire body immediately after the bath, this is the moisturising lotion. Just before you step out one should apply the sunblock lotion on the exposed parts of the body without massaging it. The sunblock works by reflecting the harmful rays.

I have a lot of unwanted hair on my face and neck, which I feel very conscious of. Is it possible to remove the hair permanently? And is it ok for a boy to permanently remove facial or neck hair ?

In today’s world Laser system of hair reduction is the most effective and safest method available. It is also cost effective in the long run. But a word of caution, hair can never be removed permanently it can only be reduced permanently. Yes a lot of males do go for hair reduction now. There are certain criteria that need to be fulfilled before you can be considered as a candidate for laser hair reduction. Please do visit a laser centre where the pre session counselling will analyse your skin and hair, its suitability to go through the laser treatment and therefore its effectivity in giving the result for you.

Is it harmful to mix skincare products ?

As such it is not ‘harmful’ to mix products from different brands until and unless specifically contraindicated. Sometimes it may be required to mix products from two brands as the specific product suitable for your skin may not be available with that brand. This should preferably be done under guidance of a skin specialist.

But when customised products are available for skin types then it is better not to mix as these products would have been made in such a way as to complement each other to enhance the clients satisfaction result wise.

Do I need to use a night cream ?

A night cream is usually formulated to be a thicker cream with its active ingredients working overnight to give the required results. If your skin is oily then you most definitely do not need a cream rather a lotion further diluted with water or rose water would be good. In case the skin is very dry then a cream is suitable. Its benefits would be a high grade of moisturising effect and in case it contains lightening agents then fairness.

Is it true that once you develop dark circles, you’ll never be able to get rid of them? How do they occur and what can I do to prevent them ?

The causes of dark circles or under eye pigmentation are varied. The genetic variety is as good as non treatable. However pigmentation developing secondary to a particular cause like stress, emotional imbalances, lifestyle, wrong eating habits, wrong reading habits, long hours at the computer monitor etc can be reduced considerably and can be thus maintained by the person. Prevention would be tackling the above listed causes and correcting them. An under eye facial treatment on a initial treatment basis followed by regular maintenance sessions would definitely help. Chemical peeling would be another option but should be done a trained specialist.

How often can I have a facial? Is it true that once I begin, I will have to get facials done regularly; else, my skin will look bad ?

As such if you are undergoing a treatment facial the frequency could be two sessions in a week but normally a session per week. This should later be tapered off to monthly once or once in two months depending on what facial you are doing.

No there is no compulsion that you HAVE to do a facial once you start. It is just that when you get used to seeing your face having a particular appearance post facial you would like to keep it that way hence you repeat the facials. A facial is not bad but what is important is that the products being used is as per your skin type and requirement and it is being done by a trained therapist

I’m on the dusky side but I’d love to get a fair and pink complexion. What can I do? Is skin polishing an option for me? How about bleaching ?

The treatments that are given cosmetically can only lighten the complexion by a few shades. We now combine chemical peeling and lasers with these facials to improve the results. These procedures cannot and will not change the complexion from dusky to fair and pink. Higher percentages of peels can lighten your colour to a higher degree but these procedures have their own side and adverse effects post treatment which is not practically viable. Bleaching is again a chemical which lightens the colour but only by a couple of shades. We do not advise it on a routine basis as in the long run it can lead to hyper pigmentation following accidental burn.

I indulge in an at-home facial steam regime every Sunday, as I’ve heard this opens up the pores. Is this harmful to my skin ?

Steam facial regime every week is bad for the skin unless as part of a specific treatment for a specic time period. It is always advisable to do a steam once a month.