Celebrity Dermatologist Reveals the Secret to Never Having a #Badskinday 

A red pimple on your chin that manifested overnight or pores that never seem to reduce in size no matter how many ice cubes you apply on your face — beauty emergencies can crop up suddenly and often have the worst timing!

So, we spoke to celebrity dermatologist Dr Chytra V Anand, beauty guru at Kosmoderma Clinics and chief formulator Skin Q. Popularly known as 'Dr Fix-It', she shares her quick fixes for all your beauty woes: 

Acne

"For acne, it is important to find out the causes and triggers. So, check your hormone profile to rule out PCOS and thyroid issues. You can also include a Salicylic Acid Cleanser or Neem Based Cleanser in your night-time regime. Get chemical peel based clean-ups at your skin doctor's office regularly till the acne settles," she says. 

What you eat can also affect your skin health. So, if you have acne-prone skin, Dr Anand cautions against including too much sugar or whey protein in your meals. You may also want to watch out for lactose intolerance as dairy may also be an acne-trigger for you.

Dark circles

Dr Anand says, "Dark Circles can be managed. Usually, there are four types of dark circles and the treatment depends on which of those are you suffering from. Contrary to popular opinion, dark circles are not always about late nights, excess work or computer, excess partying or drinking."

She defines the four main types of dark circles as - 'Structural', which is caused due to the bone deficit and is usually hereditary. It can be treated with filler injections. Then there is the 'Pigmented' type, which is caused due to a nutritional deficiency or hormone imbalance or poor skincare, trauma or irritation. Once the cause is found, it can be treated with skin brightening agents and peels. "The third type is the 'Vascular' and is commonly found in sinusitis or allergy-prone people. It usually has a reddish or purplish hue. Once the cause is found, it can be treated with the use of lasers. Lastly, there is the 'Mixed' type which is a combination of several factors and aforementioned types," says Dr Anand.

Dark spots or pigmentation

This condition is far more common than you believe...you are not alone in this. And, it can be treated! "About 90 per cent of Indian women and 20 per cent Indian men will suffer from pigmentation at some point in their life. The major cause of pigmentation (95 per cent) is due to UV radiation and sun damage among teens and millennials. The rest is due to post-traumatic scars or hormone changes," says Dr Chytra V Anand.

This condition can also be triggered by nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, certain medications or skin irritants. "To treat hyperpigmentation, combination therapy is usually prescribed. It is a mix of chemical peels, skin lightening agents with liquorice, Emblica, kojic acid. The best is to prevent it by using Vitamin C serum and sunscreen for photoprotection. The treatment takes about 6–12 months to treat pigmentation of the face. "

Since sun damage is the likeliest cause of hyperpigmentation, sun protection is a crucial step in your skincare regime. So, ensure you have a nutritious diet, apply sunscreen and speak to your doctor to prescribe oral supplements with potent antioxidants such as Glutathione, Vit C, Grape Seed Extract, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Curcumin to boost skin photoprotection.

Large pores

" Enlarged pores requires a long term treatment for collagen synthesis with Frasel laser or microneedling RF procedures combined with PRP," says Dr Anand. She advises exfoliating your skin with mild acids once a week and using retinol-based products daily at night to prevent the appearance of large pores. If you are looking for quick fixes, you may need the guidance of an expert. She adds, "MicroTox helps reduce open pores for up to 3 months with one session. The new stem cell therapy SkinGen has also shown promising results for long term reduction of open pores. So, you can consult with your expert for this."

Dry skin

Dry, flaking skin If you are blaming your dry, stretched skin on the weather, it is time for some TLC. "Dry, flaky skin is a cry for help. It means that your requires oil and water...and the skin barrier needs to be repaired. So, use a ceramide based moisturizer with Vitamin Pro B5, Sodium Hyaluronate to help work on the deeper skin layer," she says. Dr Anand also advises visiting a medical professional for a hydration treatment like the hydra boost injections which are basically injectable moisturizers for your skin that help reduce dryness for up to six months. In addition, you can also amp up the warm oil massage sessions to help dry, flaky skin. 

When battling dry skin, make sure to run a quick ingredient check on your skincare products. "Body moisturizers with Urea and Lactic Acid are excellent to reduce dry skin. Sometimes changes in estrogen levels in women can also cause dry skin, so look at taking oral supplements with GLA or Evening Primrose capsules to combat dry flaky skin," she adds.