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For a chiselled look

Cosmetology is now understood better, writes S. AISHWARYA

PHOTO: M. MOORTHY

GLOWING Laser therapy, a worthy option

Beauty is skin deep. But skin is deeper than we perceive. That is to say cosmetology has penetrated deep enough to tone itself to perfection. Till a few years ago, exfoliating and toning the facial skin ended with a simple visit to the beauty salon. But not any longer. People now are on the look out for a sustainable treatment with long-term benefits.

Major change

Peoples' outlook of skin care and treatment has undergone a major change in recent years. "Earlier, people thought a visit to the parlour was the only way to look beautiful. Consulting a doctor was rare," says N. Balasubramaniam, a dermatologist.

With beauty parlours promising dream makeovers, people often choose to settle for instant-result massages and facials. Being the largest organ of the body, skin is more complex than it appears. External problems like cysts, acne scars and allergies are the visible indicators of health ailments. But in most cases, hormonal changes and environmental impact also can harm the sensitive area of the body.

Magical and over-the-counter remedies that entice people to buy and try them might not always be a safe bet for all skin types. Many tend to develop allergies with mismatched treatment and alternative application of any other cream only worsens the problem, when done without medical advice.

Cosmetology, the latest buzz in beauty enhancement, has answer for these extreme cases of skin problems. A range of skin care treatment - micro dermabrasion, chemical peeling, reduction of black circles around the eye, laser resurfacing, laser removal of birthmarks, refilling, removing tattoos and treating psoriasis - are words that no more sound bizarre to people.

Medical treatment

Though they are yet to become a fixture on beauty scene for many, people are opening up to approach the problem medically. Time is valued and money has taken a backseat. "Skin, in most cases, can be treated with medicinal intakes. But for an extremely damaged skin, the answer lies in the cosmetology," says Dr.Balasubramanian.

"Certainly cosmetology can do wonders without harming the skin texture. But it has its limitations too," says P. Ramachandran, Consultant Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon at Ram Kar Laser Skin Home, Maruthi Hospital. His Skin Care Centre uses varied laser machines for specific problems. "Laser treatment is basically same for all. But the amount of light emitted makes it constructive or destructive," he informs.

Improving face texture has never been so easy. Micro dermabrasion and chemical peeling are resorted to in pimple and acne scar treatment. Facial rejuvenation is possible with these treatments, which braises off the topmost layer of dead skin cells and reveals the fresh skin beneath. It is not just the face that gets all the attention. Laser could treat nail psoriasis, Alopecia Areata (baldness in certain area) and dandruff.

"Skin, hair, nail and foot problems are treated with laser. It is the fastest option one can choose and relatively safer than medicinal intakes," says the Associate Dermatologist of the Skin Care Home, B. Sudhakaran.

Safer therapy

Treating vitilgo (absence of melanin in a specific area), hyper pigmentation and deep scars are safer with laser therapy, says Dr. Sudhakar. Since the treatments are external and no medicinal intakes are prescribed, the therapy has negligible side effects.

The other area where laser is the last and safe resort is removal of tattoos. As the process of tattooing got relatively simpler and looked upon as a fashion statement, youth tattoo names and designs extensively on their bodies.

"Body art is safe as far as people are fine with its lasting effect. But the fascination lasts only for days and people turn edgy to get rid of tattooed names or designs. Worst still, they try painful methods of removing the tattoo that damages the delicate tissues beneath the skin," Dr. Ramachandran says.

Skin problems

Also, the increasing consciousness for looking good has a fall out particularly in boys and girls with visible skin problems. They agonise over their acne and pigmentation and compare theirs with super-perfect skins of celebs.

"They come to us demanding a blemishless skin in the very first sitting. They don't understand that the progress and success of such treatments varies with individuals," he says.

The effects are dramatic in some cases and slow in others, but definitely they are safe when in safe hands, Dr. Ramachandran assures. But he is quick to add: "Laser treatments are now being done at many parlours amateurishly. Excessive use of it may backfire. Laser procedures need to be done by trained hands with the help of professionals."

Fabricating beautiful people, he adds as he hurries for a surgery, ultimately is subjective.

"Laser corrects the aberrations and improves the perfection. But people have to think realistic. Laser does not hold any magical power to transform the youth into a stunning beauty," he warns.

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