GlobalSpa came live on Instagram with Dr. Rashmi Shetty to answer all our skin concerns.
We believe healthy skin is a reflection of one’s overall wellness. Simply put, nothing makes us glow more than a healthy, well-adorned skin with the right ingredients, products, and expertise.
As we strive to keep our bodies and minds in a healthy space, we sparked a conversation with Celebrity Dermatologist Dr. Rashmi Shetty to help us understand the many and the best ways of “Keeping Our Skin Healthy” during quarantine.
Starting off, Dr. Rashmi unfurls – what really is the connection between the gut and skin? “I always say what goes in your mouth shows on your skin. You’ll notice a lot of people that have irritable bowel syndrome or high intestinal bacteria almost always have a rash on the skin. The reason why your gut bacteria is so important because those bacteria have an effect on your skin bacteria,” says Dr. Shetty. “Anything that hurdles your gut microbiome can lead to an inflamed or leaky gut and along with it, alter the skin microbiome and lead to skin issues like acne, atopic dermatitis, or psoriasis. It also alters the gene expression of the skin. There have been enough double blind randomized studies that show your gut health makes your skin more youthful – the elastin of your face stays well, the sun damage decreases, and water loss from your skin minimizes so your skin stays more hydrated.”
Talking about the gut, hormonal acne is one effect millions of people deal with relating to the microbiome. “This acne is caused usually due to excess androgens. To control that, you need to cut down on sugar and milk, and whatever else you feel is feeding into your inflamed hormones.”
DAY AND NIGHT CREAMS: THE DIFFERENCE
“Usually in a day cream you’re looking more at protection from the sun and pollution. We’re looking at more antioxidants for your cream, a lighter texture like gel, serum, OR milk. In terms of ingredients, you should look for niacinamides and Vitamin C. In the night cream, you’re looking at more repairing and nourishing creams like acids and skin lightening ingredients such as peptides.”
Unfortunately for those seeking to heal pores at home, Dr. Rashmi explains there is no alternative. “There is nothing you can do at home to take care of acne pits or deep acne scars. The best thing you can do is use retinol for some time but that would take iohs for it to do anything, so you need to go see your doctor and get treated to stimulate your collagen and bring back the texture of your skin.”
DECODING RETINOL: DO WE REALLY NEED IT?
A buzzworthy skin ingredient staple to many vanities, Dr Rashmi also threw light on some important points about reinol. “There are two ways you could end up using it: for anti ageing or acne. What it does is it increases the skin turnover throughout and also helps to get your bacteria under control but if used on its own, it can also give skin irritation. Instead of using that, I would recommend tretinoin which does the same thing but with less redness. For anti-ageing, what would work better are peptides. Even still, retinol has its own place for oily or mature skin types which can handle it.”
TALK OF THE TOWN: GLUTATHIONE TABLETS
“Glutathione is a fantastic antioxidant since it breaks down all this oxidative damage, which means it quenches free radicals in your body. Due to that your own body antioxidants are also produced better.You can take 1000-5000mg per day and take it with Vitamin C since the absorption will be much better.”
Following suit, Dr. Rashmi answered our curious readers’ questions from which inflammatory foods to cut down and practicing diet as long term to healing hyperpigmentation and how fillers are not a bad decision for anyone who wants to try them. “The substances used aren’t harmful!” she says.
So go ahead: get rid of that sugar and milk, invest in more supplements, and be your healthy self! Stay safe and stay healthy.
For more interesting #instalives and interactions with the best in wellness, check us out here: https://www.instagram.com/globalspa_mag
