Celebrity dermatologist Rashmi Shetty says your face wash may be ageing you

The skin expert gives us tips for the summer, busts shaving myths and tells us why to avoid detanning creams
Rashmi Shetty
Rashmi Shetty

They call her the Bollywood doctor. Rashmi Shetty is the woman behind the glowing skin of stars like Shilpa Shetty and Shruti Haasan — and we caught up with the Mumbai-based dermatologist for a skincare consult as we dive into summer. The author of Age Erase, who has been in the field of Aesthetic Medicine for close to 20 years now, has us listening even closer after we discover that she’s had her own share of skin issues, like an allergy to aloe vera. How often do you find out that kind of trivia about your dermatologist?

We chat with the skin expert on protecting our sun from the skin, shaving myths and why your choice of face wash might be ageing you.

With the months getting hotter and hotter — what’s the best way to protect your skin?
The first step is to avoid detanning creams as when you enter the pool, it makes your skin more sensitive and prone to tanning. Also, avoid entering the pool, post your skin laser treatments, shaving and waxing, as it may affect your skin adversely. Additionally, in summer, swimming for more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time, may cause skin tanning, due to continuous exposure to chlorine in the water.

You’re allergic to aloe vera. That’s the last thing you expect to find out about your dermatologist. How did you find out?
A dermatologist is allowed to have allergies too! (laughs). Back in time, when I had used aloe vera, I had a very bad reaction on my skin and hence, I avoid using it. Also, thanks for reading my book!

Sunscreen + coconut oil?
To avoid tanning, before you get into the pool, apply coconut oil and sunscreen as it acts as a barrier and helps protect your skin. Additionally, showering after a swim is crucial as it reduces your risk of contracting infections, rashes and washes off the chlorine deposited on your body. Moreover
post shower, applying a soothing  body lotion or a moisturiser definitely helps
in hydrating your skin and body.

 

Shaving has developed a bad rep over the years — people say it causes hair to grow thicker and faster. Is this true?
We have all been afraid of this one at some point. There are enough of those old wives’ tales telling us that shaved hair grows back thicker, faster and what not! Let’s put them all to rest for once! Hair growth is determined by your genetic and hormonal make up. What feels coarse and thick are just those initial strands of hair surfacing the skin. So, rest assured, shaving doesn’t make your hair grow thicker 
and faster.

Have we been taught the wrong way to shave?
If you have bad experiences with shaving, I can definitely say that you are not following the correct process. Shaving in the direction along the hair growth is important to avoid nicks or cuts. Try using the newer hair removal methods, one of my personal favourites is Venus, as it has a pivoting rounded head and extra cushioning that helps it glide smoothly on your skin, providing great control, manoeuvrability and fits easily into hard to shave areas. It is designed especially for women to meet their modern and evolved beauty needs.  

Name one habit that people pursue actively without realising that it picks up the pace of ageing in skin.
I believe using extremely dry facewashes and harsh exfoliating agents ‘scrubs’ regularly, picks up the pace of ageing in skin.

In an age where grooming products for men have shot through the roof, what are the most common questions you get from men, when they visit your clinic?
It’s good to see that ‘looking good’ is no longer the domain of women and even men are investing time in getting groomed. The most common queries that I have come across from men are related to acne, pigmentation and oily skin. Questions concerning hair fall are also frequently asked by the men visiting clinic.
 

sonali@newindianexpress.com | @brightasunshine

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