FAQ's

Q. What are acne? Which age group is affected?

Acne or pimples or muhanse are caused by obstruction of the oil producing glands over face, neck, chest and back. They may present as blackheads, whiteheads, red pus filled lesions or nodules.

The majority of patients are in their teens but in few cases acne may continue or sometimes first appear in their twenties or even thirties.

Q. What is the treatment for acne?

The treatment is individualized depending on several factors:

1. The extent of lesions and the symptoms.
2. Any underlying hormonal imbalance (PCOD, Cushing’s disease)
3. If patient is taking any other medication.
4. Occupational exposure to chemicals/oils; use of heavy cosmetics.
5. The psychological effects on the patient because of acne.
6. The scarring and dark spots it is likely to leave

Q. What can be done for Acne Scars?

Acne scars is a very commonly encountered problem. We have many treatment options available for this embarrassing problem which are individualized depending upon the nature of scars & type of skin:

1. Chemical peeling.
2. Microdermabrasion.
3. Laser resurfacing.
4. Dermaroller.
5. Surgical techniques.

Q. What is Laser Hair Removal? How does the treatment work?

Actually, the right term would be Laser hair reduction instead of Laser hair removal since 100% clearance of hairs can’t be achieved. In this procedure, hair is removed from the body by utilizing a long pulse laser. Laser light energy creates heat as it passes through the skin and targets darker colored pigment, melanin, found in the follicle and hair. By heating up the hair follicle during its active phase (anagen), the laser disables the follicle's ability to produce hair without affecting surrounding tissue. The laser works by disabling hairs that are in their active growth cycle at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter their growth cycle at different times, several treatments(6-8) are necessary to disable most of the follicles in a given area. It works best on light skin and dark coarse hair. Lasers don’t work on white, brown and very thin black hair.

Q. What are the side effects of the different methods of hair removal?

Skin irritation and redness are the most common side effects of hair removal. Shaving can cause skin cuts and may lead to ingrown hairs. Plucking can hurt, especially if a lot of hairs are removed. Using hot wax can burn your skin. Chemicals that dissolve hair often smell bad and can cause allergic skin reactions.

Regrowth of hairs is very rapid with these methods & in due course of time the growth may become thicker. Electrolysis hurts and in some people can cause thick scars (called keloids). It may also change the color of the skin around where the hair was removed.

Laser hair removal can also cause burns and color changes in the skin. But side effects are minimal if done in the best hands by an expert dermatologist.

Q. What is androgenetic alopecia? How is it treated?

Androgenetic alopecia is hereditary thinning of the hair caused due to androgens (sex hormone) in genetically susceptible men and women. It is also known as male pattern baldness or common baldness in men and female pattern baldness in women. In both the sexes, thinning begins between the ages of 12 and 40 years and by age of 50, about half the population expresses this trait.

Male pattern is thinning of hair from front and top of scalp and it may gradually progress leaving only a thin margin of hair at the back and sides of head.

Female pattern presents with a diffuse thinning mainly over the crown area so that the central parting gets broader and may show a Christmas tree pattern.

Treatment is done after proper evaluation.

1. Medicines in form of oral tablets and locally applied lotions usually help majority of patients. The pre-requisite for medicinal treatment is that viable roots should be present in the balding area.
2. Mesotherapy and dermaroller treatment.in resistant cases.
3. Hair transplantation.

Q. I have diffuse hair loss over my scalp? What may be the reason?

Most females coming to our clinic complain of this problem. We need to take a detailed history to reach the cause. The treatment is then prescribed as per the cause. The various causes include:

1. Nutritional Deficiencies
2. Thyroid diseases
3. After high or prolonged fever
4. Severe mental or physical stress.
5. Following major surgeries.
6. Following child birth (postpartum)
7. Severe dieting.
8. Early stages of androgenetic alopecia.
9. Certain medicines.

Q. What is hair transplant? Tell me more about natural and synthetic hair transplants.

There are various hair restoration techniques available. We at DermaWorld Skin Institute treat the problem of hair loss/ fall/ baldness scientifically & with all the latest & internationally approved techniques.

1. Natural hair transplant: We do single hair follicular unit transplant, which has excellent cosmetic acceptability. Other techniques like punch grafting or Micro punch grafting can also be done to fill larger areas.

2. Synthetic Hair Implant (BIOFIBER/Artificial Hair Transplant): It is an Italian technique, in which natural looking synthetic hairs are implanted in the scalp of a patient. Very large areas which can’t be covered with natural hair transplant can also be covered.

It is ideal for patients who don’t want to wait for the results of natural hair transplant to grow or those who don’t want a scar of natural transplant on the back of their head.

You can have your bald patches covered instantly with natural looking synthetic hair which is not weaving or wig but are actually implanted in the scalp one by one.

3. Hair Weaving: Those patients who don’t want to undergo any of the above procedures or if there skin condition doesn’t allow those procedures, hair weaving is a safe and effective option. We can cover large areas of baldness within a few minutes with patches of hairs which closely resemble your existing hairs.

Q. What can we do to prevent or reduce fine lines & wrinkles?

Ageing is a natural and inevitable process. As we age, the elastic fibers in the dermis break down and are lost leading to loose, sagging & wrinkled skin. While we can’t reverse every possible cause of wrinkling, there are steps we can take to slow down the ageing process:

1. Sun protection: This is very essential as sunlight has UV rays which contribute to photo-aging. Use of sunscreens & physical protection are important.
2. Lifestyle changes: This includes a balanced healthy diet with plenty of water, fiber rich diet with salad & fruits. Regular exercise, meditation, yoga and stress reduction is also vital.
3. Daily skin care should consist of mild cleansing of the face daily, application of a moisturizer, and daily sunscreen use.
4. Avoid using cosmetics: Facials, bleach and regular use of cosmetics are harmful for skin and sometimes patients may also have allergic reaction to these.

Q. What is non-surgical facelift/ dermalift?

We call it a wonder treatment, which can really make you look younger & feel great. We have been doing this for last many years with scores of very happy & satisfied patients.

This technique uses radiofrequency waves to generate deep heat within the skin. It tightens the collagen in the skin and also stimulates new collagen formation. This result in a firmer and tighter skin, decreased pore size with mild skin whitening effect, too.

Generally, 3-5 sessions are required to build up a good quantity of collagen.

ADVANTAGES OF NON SURGICAL FACELIFT:

1. It is a safe, painless & relaxing procedure with no social downtime at all.
2. It is a totally non-invasive and effective treatment for mild to moderate wrinkles, loose and sagging skin.
3. It brings an instant glow to a dull lifeless skin and therefore, a large number of our patients get it done before important events (wedding, interviews,etc.)

Just get it done to see the unbelievable results on your own skin.

Q. What are dermal/wrinkle fillers and what are they used for?

Dermal fillers are made of collagen, Hyaluronic acid (effect lasts for 6 months) or Polyacrylamide gel (effect lasts for many years). They can be used in various indications to give instant miraculous results:-

1. Depressed scars.
2. Wrinkles.
3. Lip & nose re-shaping.
4. Dark circles around eyes & sunken eyes.
5. Cheek lift and chin lift.

Q. What is BOTOX? How Does Botox Work? What are its dermatological indications?

Botox is a purified form of Botulinum Toxin Type A (BTA). It blocks nerve impulses to muscles and sweat glands by interfering with the release of a key chemical, acetylcholine. It helps to smoothen out facial wrinkles in the forehead and eye area (frown lines, crow’s feet). It is also used to treat excessive sweating in armpits, palms & soles. Botox involves a tiny injection into the affected areas; it is relatively painless with no downtime.

Q. What is Microdermabrasion? What are its indications?

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive mini procedure that involves the skin being "sandblasted" by aluminum oxide crystals to remove the horny (top) layer of the skin; dead skin cells. It promotes the production of new cells in the basal (deepest) layer of the dermis. Microdermabrasion also stimulates collagen networking to further even out skin texture and appearance. Microdermabrasion can be performed anytime, with sessions at 10 days apart from each other for best results. If you have or have had acne, discolorations, superficial lines and wrinkles, uneven texture or sun damaged skin -- you may be a candidate for Microdermabrasion. It is excellent lunch hour rejuvenation.

Q. What are chemical peels? What are its indications?

Chemical peeling is a painless office procedure with excellent cosmetic results. In this procedure, one or more chemical agents are applied on the skin for a short time and then washed off. At our clinic, we do glycolic acid peels and salicylic acid peels.

Glycolic acid (GA) is an alpha hydroxy acid derived from sugarcane. It removes the most superficial layers of skin, thus removing the dull dead skin and tan/pigmentation, bringing out a fresh radiant skin from beneath. It also acts on deeper layers by causing increased collagen production & thereby, a tighter and firmer skin & a decrease in depth of depressed scars.

Salicylic acid(SA) is a beta hydroxy acid which penetrates inside the acne and dries them from within. It also removes the dead layers of skin like GA.

For indications and our patient photographs, refer to chemical peeling page on our website.

Q: What is DERMAROLLER Treatment?

The DERMAROLLER instrument is a cylindrical instrument with multiple medical grade stainless steel micro-needles. This treatment is done for treating Acne Scars, Wrinkles and Pigmentation. It induces new collagen production and improves skin’s micro-circulation. The new collagen provides greater strength and elasticity to the skin, it also fills up the depth of pits and thereby reduces the scars. The scars become softer, less elevated and in most cases give natural appearance.

Q: How often should the DERMAROLLER treatment be performed?

The formation of new collagen fibres and a new tissue needs time. Ideally 3-5 treatments are required with a time a gap of 4-8 weeks between each treatment to see good results.

Q. What is laser photo facial?

Laser photofacial is actually a misnomer for skin treatment with IPL.

Intense Pulsed Light [IPL] technology is a treatment breakthrough that can combat effects of ageing and sun damaged skin. In this procedure, a precise amount of light energy is delivered through skin’s surface without affecting the skin integrity. You may feel a slight sting, like the snapping of a small rubber band.

Treatment is generally administered in a series of 4 to 6 sessions that provide excellent long-term results, minimal adverse effects and high satisfaction. Each treatment takes about twenty minutes. You can return to work the same day and resume all your daily activities.

Q. What can I do to have a healthy flawless skin on my wedding day?

The D day is about to come. It is the most important event in everybody’s life & of course we would like to look our best on the day. We want to attain a radiant and flawless skin.

However, most of the times this part is left in the hands of parlors & chains of beauty clinics. These people have the least knowledge about your skin type & the benefits & drawbacks of any of the treatments they offer. They just do it for the sake of doing without knowing the implications.

Glow on your wedding day under the guidance of an expert dermatologist at DermaWorld Skin Institute.

Brides and Grooms to be should ideally start their skin care regimen about 8-10 weeks in advance. We will guide you how to take the utmost care of your skin & suggest you the best suited treatment from the multitude of treatment options available at our clinic.

Q. What are causes of under eye dark circles? How can I get rid of them?

Most common causes of dark circles :

1. Heredity.
2. Any kind of stress, physical or mental
3. Allergies and Eczema.
4. An unbalanced diet or lack of a nutritious diet
5. Lack of sleep or excessive tiredness.
6. Pregnancy
7. Old Age causing sagging & wrinkling of skin under eyes.
8. Exposure to Sun

Treatment options for DARK CIRCLES available at DermaWorld Skin Institute:

1. Treatment of Underlying medical cause ; a patient must consult a dermatologist for complete checkup
2. Skin lightening creams & eye lifting creams
3. Glycolic acid peel
4. Microdermabrasion
5. Laser Photofacial
6. Non ablative radiofrequency or Non surgical Face lift
7. Surgical treatment i.e. blepharoplasty & Autologous fat transplant.

Q. What are the causes of hypermelanosis/ hyperpigmentation/ pigmentation of skin?

In hyperpigmentation, the body produces too much melanin, causing skin to become darker than usual. Causes are as follows:

1. Sun exposure
2. Genetic inheritance
3. Allergy to Cosmetics & toiletries
4. Nutritional deficiency
5. Hormonal imbalance
6. Medicinal drugs
7. Birthmarks
8. Internal disorders

Following some injury or inflammation of skin

Treatments of pigmentation include:

1. Sun protection & demelanizing creams
2. Nutritional supplements
3. Chemical peels, Microdermabrasion & laser treatments

Q. WHAT IS VITILIGO or LEUKODERMA? WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF VITILIGO?

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease and more than a disease it is actually a social stigma. In vitiligo, the melanocytes (color producing cells) in the skin are destroyed by body’s own immunity for unknown reasons. No age is immune to vitiligo.

White patches on the skin are the main sign of vitiligo & can occur anywhere on the hands, feet, arms, face and lips. Every white patch on the body is not vitiligo. There are thousands of conditions causing white spots on skin besides vitiligo. Vitiligo can be easily differentiated from these conditions by a competent dermatologist.

Q.What are the treatment options for VITILIGO available at DermaWorld Skin Institute?

We have been treating patients of vitiligo with utmost sincerity & honesty as we understand the social implications of the disease very well.

Medical treatments: Oral and topical medicines, phototherapy (PUVA & Narrow Band UVB).

Surgical treatments: SURGERY (skin grafting) is done in patients having stable vitiligo (those who haven’t got any new patch for at least a period of one year). We have done surgery in thousands of patients of vitiligo at difficult sites with excellent patient satisfaction. Tattooing small areas of skin is another option.

Q. How is Eczema treated?

Treatment depends upon the type, cause & severity of disease:

1. Counseling regarding the nature of the disease.
2. Finding the cause & avoiding the triggering factors.
3. Regular moisturization of the skin.
4. Avoid scratching, bathing in hot water & synthetic clothing.
5. Medicines for local application, oral anti-allergics, phototherapy, steroids & steroid sparing agents.