Luxurious furtherance in Dermatology

With the wave of international beauty trends, Indians are looking up to their favourite celebrities and beauty influencers on platforms like Instagram and YouTube for beauty hacks to attain glowing and young-looking skin. One of the best examples was the image of Kim Kardashian’s cherry-red face right after a Vampire facial came up on Instagram feeds around the world, which inspired people to visit skin clinics.  Now people understand that skin exfoliation and facials are more important than the application of make-up products.      
 
“In India, the latest trending facials are Hydra and Vampire. Hydra is the most common facial treatment. The popularity comes from the fact that it is appropriate for all skin types and ages and works by cleansing, exfoliating and then hydrating the skin with serums,” said Dr Priyanka Reddy, founder of DNA Skin Clinic. 

To this Dr Pai added, “Vampire facial, commonly known as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy is the desired treatment and has shown great results in eliminating fine lines and wrinkles, skin irregularities due to acne marks, thinning scalp hair and in improving the overall tone and texture of the skin. It has an extract of concentrated platelets from the patients’ own blood. Platelets contain packets of growth hormones and cytokines that tell the tissues to increase the rebuilding of tissues to enhance healing. The treatment includes the use of microneedles.” 

It is believed that the Korean population has the finest skin texture and they are also known for manufacturing ranges of beauty and skincare products, which are sought after the world over. A normal skincare routine includes 2-3 steps but in Korea, people follow 10 steps as their everyday skincare regime.    

In earlier times, facials were done with products available at home but with the advent of technology and research, the variety of facials has been upgraded. “Facials are meant to cleanse, firm, smooth and moisturize the skin. They involve a series of steps, which aim to improve the quality and appearance of the skin. They can be very basic, using hand-mixed pastes and compounds, or can incorporate procedures, using electrical stimulation of facial muscles to temporarily tighten skin,” said Dr Jamuna Pai, founder of Skinlab.    

Another popular facial is the CBD, a molecule found in hemp. CBD oil is derived from Cannabis plant secretions. Despite a lot of curiosity and controversy around it, the CBD facial does help in relaxation and rejuvenates the skin. CBD is a newer technique and Indian consumers are not all that aware of it.”  

In India, the cost of these high-end treatments is determined by factors such as the experience of the doctor who conducts it, the hospital and clinic where it is conducted, etc. Also, the machine and consumables involved in the process contribute to the final cost. On average, the cost per session can vary from Rs 15,000 - 25,000. While at affordable clinics, the Vampire facials would cost around Rs 7000-10,000 per session and the Hydra facials cost around Rs 5000 - 7000 per session, the number of sessions may vary with every consumer’s need.   

“Recently, the prices have come down as numerous skin clinics have started offering these services. However, there could be a significant gap in the prices depending on the authenticity of the centre and the equipment used. Some clinics use the certified Hydra Facial machine, whereas some use regular machines and call the procedure Hydra facial. If you’d like to get this treatment, it is always better to find out about the authenticity of the equipment being used by your preferred skin clinic,” suggests Dr Reddy.   

There are also a lot of people who still believe in old treatments and to deliver such consumers, the Salt facial is a popular choice. It uses natural sea salts to exfoliate the skin and hydration techniques to reveal a healthier, nourished and glowing skin with some serums that are applied to treat a particular concern.   

Whilst all of these and other facials are trending and give amazing results, what remains most popular among the Indian population are facials which use natural ingredients, have anti-ageing effects, hydrate the skin, brighten the skin.  

Elaborating on the needs of the skin, Dr Pai explained, “As one age, the skin gets thinner and dryer. It loses collagen, which gives it a thick, plump appearance, and elastin, which makes it snap back quickly. Hydration is most important to restore the lost moisture and replenish the suppleness of the skin. An anti-ageing facial could include a mild peel, collagen mask and serums that have antioxidants like vitamin C or ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which attracts water to the cells, nourishes the skin to promote clear and well-hydrated skin. The massage involved during these facials is not just relaxing but also is therapeutic.   

It encourages the blood flow and brings nourishing oxygenated blood to the skin cells. The massage also helps to remove any toxins, tighten the skin and helps the products to penetrate more. Indian women opt for these facials and will not hesitate to go to extraordinarily lengths to keep their skin happy.”   

Apart from facial trends, skin tightening, and vaginal rejuvenation are trendy dermatological procedures.    

There has been a major shift of focus from just treating existing skin concern to adopting a skincare routine that’s more “preventive”. “Earlier, we had patients who had obvious skin concerns like acne or dry skin. But now, even people with no apparent skin issues want treatments that will keep them looking younger by preventing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They are also willing to invest in good quality products that can heal them from the inside rather than just from the surface of the skin.   

Consumers have become demanding and are constantly looking for better options. To which Dr Reddy talked about consumer behaviour, “There is a definitive shift in the mindset of consumers who are looking for a dermatological treatment which has moved beyond simply ‘fixing’ issues. They are looking for good products, skin maintenance and preventive programs. Consumers are more inclined towards laser treatments and other cosmetic procedures as seen over the last five years.   

With the ever-rising beauty standards in society, Aesthetics is in great demand. However, technological advancement has become a double-edged sword. It is definitely increasing the awareness and accessibility, but it is also spreading misconception and misinformation that guides people in the wrong direction.”