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Just skin deep

Demi Moore, she of the million-buck bod, has turned philosophical and will let nature and gravity do their job. Yes, beauty is but a fleeting moment

DON'T HAVE IT? FAKE IT! Tinsel town's obsession with youth and beauty seems to have caught on with the rest of society PHOTO: REUTERS

Demi Moore, the patron saint of Fabulous at Forty (with a little help from surgeons and botox), has decided to let go and let it all hang out. Wonder what toy boy Ashton Kutcher would have to say as Ms. Moore's body finally buckles to the laws of gravity.

All of us marvelled at Demi when she appeared bright, toned, nipped and tucked as fallen angel Madison in Charlie's Angels 2. We collectively gasped at the wonders that money and science could buy as she emerged from the ocean in her introduction scene in her itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny bikini looking literally a million bucks.

Agreed, tinsel town is obsessed with youth and one can always shrug it off with the "that's showbiz" theory. Remember the wicked Robert Zemeckis morality tale Death Becomes Her (1992) where rivals in love Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn drink the potion of youth, becoming increasingly brittle and have to go to mortician (and the object of their affection) Bruce Willis for touch-ups?

"Cinema and the world of glamour are all about escapism, right?" demands Sandeep, a physicist. "Ageing reminds one of the march of time and death that is inevitable. So basically all these enhancements and surgeries are a way to cheat time and death." Oooh. Is that metaphysical or what?

So we have our little giggles about Michael Jackson's face coming apart and repress a shudder at Cindy Jackson who, with 46 operations, is Britain's most surgically enhanced woman and then console ourselves with "Toc! Toc! These foreigners are crazy!"

It is however not only people from the entertainment industry who obsess about youth. There are many from our ancient culture who believe there is nothing wrong in getting a little help from technology to look good.

Botox babe

Pooja Bedi, brand ambassador for Kaya Skin Clinic, cheerfully insists: "No one wants to look like a prune at 60. I have an expressive face and I had these huge, deep, wrinkles on my forehead. And so I got botox done and now my forehead is smooth as a baby's bottom. I don't think it is shallow to obsess about how one looks. What is wrong with using the best money can buy to look one's best?"

Everyone subscribes to the feel-good aspect. Beauty queen Niharika Singh says: "It is an individual choice and if it makes one feel better, then why not?"

A thought echoed by Chairperson of the Children's Film Society Nafisa Ali, herself a former Ms. India, who refuses to dye her gloriously grey hair: "I am too scared to do anything like that but if people feel better about how they look with a procedure, then I guess it is okay."

For actress and model Perizaad Zorabian, Nafisa is a role model. "I do not have the courage to do any of these procedures. I would love to age gracefully like Nafisa Ali. I like the beauty that comes with age."

Amee Daxini, Associate Medical Co-ordinator at Kaya, says: "Most of our treatments — anti-ageing, age control and maintenance — are for cosmetic purposes. We analyse the skin, understand the problem and also advice on how to maintain it." Salons such as Kaya, Clarins and Limelite offer anti-ageing therapies, which are in great demand.

Bina Kapoor, who works with style guru Prasad Biddapa, says: "There is only so much one can do with clothes and makeup. I coordinate models and am around beautiful people all the time. I am 55 and would like to look good. Why should I look old? I have no hassle with age but will fight every wrinkle. It is not about ageing so much as the confidence that comes with looking good."

Not just women

And it is not only women who are going in for procedures to make them look good. Kumar, 45, who deals in pharmaceuticals, says: "Exercise keeps the body young but I looked old as my face was sagging and had a double chin. I think a facelift is a good thing if you want to look presentable. I consider it money well spent."

That is the other thing — looking good costs. Limelight offers packages between Rs. 1,500 and 3,500, Clarins has an "age-defying facial" treatment for Rs. 2,400 and Kaya offers non-surgical face lift (Rs. 15,000 for 10 sessions), laser photo rejuvenation (Rs. 7,500 for five sessions) skin tightening service (Rs. 13,500 for five sessions) Botox at Rs. 400 per unit and fillers starting from Rs. 9,800.

Not everybody is impressed though. As Sheeja (30) an HR worker with Intel, says: "I think exercise is the best option. My friend went in for all these treatments and it does not seem to have made any difference. I think it is a waste of money."

There are those who feel it is money well spent and others who think it is a criminal waste. "Just keep yourself busy and see your skin glow and your health improve," says A. Jacob, ex-serviceman who barely has time what with teaching and writing books.

"As long as you are occupied, you are contributing to society in a positive way and confidence comes automatically."

Sane advice. But how many worshipping at the altar of appearance are willing to give it a shot?

Be crumb clever

Grandma would have told you to watch what you eat and now after much research we have all come to the conclusion that what we eat makes a big difference in how we age.

Chef Manu at Olive Beach, Bangalore, created a Mediterranean menu stuffed with thingamajigs guaranteed to slow down ageing. Listed below are some of the ingredients that went into the meal.

Wild spinach and cilantro orange vinaigrette: Excellent sources of Vitamin C and also helpful in the production of collagen.

Extra virgin olive oil: An anti-inflammatory, it also helps lower cholesterol levels.

Tuna: The anti-ageing omega-three fatty acids turn back the clock.

Sweet peppers: An anti-oxidant, rich in Vitamin A, helps prevent formation of dry scaly skin.

Barley: Keeps the skin moist and has copious amounts of Vitamin B

Turkey, kingfish: The protein helps cell repair

Brown bread: The vitamin E strengthens the skin and protects against UV damage

Broccoli: Beta-carotene gets converted to Vitamin A. It is also a good source of Vitamin B, which helps maintain skin tone

MINI ANTHIKAD-CHHIBBER

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