75% of earth’s area is covered by water. Water is the major component of all living beings and it is the

major constituent of human cells. Ayurveda considers water (aap or jala) as one of panchamahabhutas. ( Panchamahabhutas constitute human body). Water provides a good medium for most of the biological processes that happen in living beings. Dehydration or loss of water from body causes dry skin, lowered energy, muscle cramps, reduced alertness and affects vital organs.

Potable water:

Water which is not harmful to health and has all qualities to serve as drinking water is called as potable water. The potable water must be free from heavy metals, suspended particles and pathogens like bacteria.

Ayurveda recommends rain water which is devoid of impurities, microbes as pure potable water. This is called as “Gangambu”. Such rain water is healthy, refreshing, cools body, increases alertness and satiates taste buds. The properties of pure Gangabu or rain water are narrated as follows.

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Microdermabrasion is one of the recent skin-care techniques having crossed over from Hollywood. It is also said that it could be an effective alternative to more expensive and invasive resurfacing treatments such as plastic surgery, chemical peels and Botox.

Microdermabrasion, sometimes known as ‘microderm’ is a procedure for rejuvenating your skin. The procedure uses very unique microcrystals to gently yet intensely exfoliate your face, getting rid of all the dead skin cells and allowing new ones to grow. And this will result in a glowing, healthy looking skin. The procedure itself is painless and non-invasive.

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Admiring those glowing faces in beauty cream advertisements, we often wonder if we too could have a skin so young and beautiful. Well, it’s not a far-fetched dream anymore! Now even you can flaunt healthy, radiant skin that draws attention. And the good news is: no chemicals and no pricey beauty packages. Just a simple four-letter word – yoga – and a long-lasting glow on the face is yours to keep.

But before we talk about the solution, let’s first understand where skin problems such as wrinkles and dark spots stem from.

Some women start wrinkling premature, primarily due to stress or unhealthy lifestyle practices such as smoking, alcohol, drug addiction and wrong food habits.

Acne is common among women of all age groups. Sometimes, it could occur due to hormonal changes in the body. In this case, there’s nothing to worry about because it heals itself with time.

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Dr. Amladi as medical head of Kaya Skin Clinics leads a team of 300 expert dermatologists in India, the Middle East and Bangladesh.

She is currently the Editor – Forum for Aesthetic Dermatology, Associate Editor – Indian Clinical Updates, Dermatology and Member, Editorial Board, Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology.

She has over 20 years of clinical, academic and research experience in dermatology.

Amladi answered Sify readers’ queries related to the above in an exclusive chat. Read the transcript below.

G’Day Madam, Q1? to remove injury, surgery 14 months stitches scare from the body. Age 50 yrs Q2My son aged 22 yrs has skin scare 6 long lines width 5 cm since last 10 yrs on his back. ? to treat it. With thanks Pradeep Bhubaneswar

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Here are a few homemade beauty recipes to help you steer clear of those chemical-loaded cosmetics.

Face mask

EGG WHITE

Egg white works wonders on your skin. It helps tighten pores and improves skin elasticity. Separate the egg white from the yolk. Evenly apply the white of the egg on your face, and wash off after 10 minutes or as you feel your skin tighten.

MULTANI MITTI

Why spend hundreds of rupees on a purifying clay mask when the age-old Indian clay powder, multani mitti, will just cost you Rs 30 or less, and is as natural as it gets. If you have oily skin, mix multani mitti and rosewater to a paste-like consistency and prepare a mask. If you have dry skin, use milk or curd.

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In observance of May`s Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) has provided tips for prevention and early detection.

When left untreated, melanoma is the most dangerous and aggressive form of skin cancer, accounting for more than 9,000 of the 12,000-plus skin cancer deaths each year.

“While SCCA doctors have developed successful and innovative methods to treat skin cancer, the true fight against melanoma starts with the simple routines each of us do daily to protect our skin,” said Dr. Kim Margolin, medical oncologist at SCCA and professor of medical oncology at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

It only takes a few simple changes to a person`s regular routine to reduce the chances of developing skin cancer. SCCA`s skin cancer experts suggest adopting the following practical, prevention and early detection focused tactics:

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Next in our series on massages, we bring to you the umpteen benefits of this ancient therapy.

Massages to the rescue

Gone are the days when massage was considered a luxury. Over the years, massage therapy has evolved to become a recreation that provides relaxation and rejuvenation.

Massage therapy is an ancient art that has been in use in China and Egypt for healing a variety of ailments. Its benefits are not only limited to treating physical ailments but are also known to soothe the mind.

The revival of this ancient art in recent times establishes its effectiveness in achieving overall wellness.

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Cosmetic Dermatologist, Dr. Rashmi Shetty, expert advisor with Parachute Advansed Knowledge Center answers readers’ questions on skin care. Get your doubts cleared and see them featured on our FAQ page every fortnight.

This week’s answers:

I am 21 Year Old & suffering from pimples since last four years & I have oily skin Too, after having the complete treatment of two dermatologists I still have this problem. So what I need to do now.

Arpit Gupta

Dear Arpit, , it is important that you look up a doctor who will examine your hormones , just to make sure they are not playing up for this repeated resistant acne, check your scalp for dandruff, use a medicated shampoo every day for the next 15 days . During this do not forget to oil your hair with a light oil like coconut based hair oil all along the hair till the tips , do not massage your scalp though. First measure is to use a right face wash … Try something with neem or tea tree oil or salicylic acid. Wash 3 times a day . Use a benzoyl peroxide cream at night on top of a very light moisturizing milk . But visiting a doctors is a must . Take care

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Acne can be a cause of stress for many teenagers, as well as those in their 20s and 30s. Find out what causes acne and how to prevent and treat it.

Happy to be acne-free!

Those damned pimples!

One skin complaint that many whine about is acne. Teenagers, especially, are victim to this — though it also affects many in their 20s, 30s and even 40s.

While treating acne may seem unimportant, studies show that treatment has value. Treating acne can prevent additional breakouts and scars. It can improve a person’s quality of life. People living with acne can suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. Acne can even discourage people from pursuing their life’s dreams. When acne is under control, a person’s confidence grows. Anxiety and depression diminish.

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Good nutrition, exercise and sun protection are the best things for appearance and self-esteem, Australia’s head of cosmetic surgery has said.

Dr Colin Moore told plastic surgeons, dermatologists and cosmetic that there is an increasing emphasis on holistic and preventative strategies.

Moore said that it is a very exciting time for cosmetic medical practice and it underscores the multidisciplinary nature of the growing specialty, news.com.au reported.

One of the most exciting developments in the field was described by Gold Coast practitioner Dr Ralph Bright, who said that a person’s own stem cells are used to rejuvenate damaged skin.

He said that the method is most commonly used as an alternative to knee-replacement surgery and will hopefully be used to help people, who were disfigured in accidents.

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