We have all had our doubts when it comes to our skin, what skincare products to use, how many times to go for a facial, and the myths can keep any one of us wide awake at night. To burst all this and to take a better look at dermatology, we had a chat with Dr Niranjana Raj MBBS. MD Skin, VD Dermatologist, Dermatosurgeon Joint Managing director – Yogiraj Centre for Dermatology & Cosmetology (YCDC).
Dr.Niranjana Raj completed her MD from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, and has undergone a one-year fellowship program in Dermatosurgery and Hair transplantation from the prestigious Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. Post MD, she further extended her training under senior dermatologists and aesthetic plastic surgeons. She has done over 1500 cases (till date) of hair transplantation and is in charge of the hair transplantation wing of YCDC. She is adept in the newer cosmetological and dermato- surgical procedures like chemical peels, derma roller, mesotherapy, mole excision, lasers, botox, and fillers. She also has a keen interest in clinical diagnosis and management of systemic disorders with skin manifestations. Acne, allergies, skin pigmentation and hair loss management are her areas of interest.
1. Have you always wanted to be a dermatologist?
Yes, I always wanted to be a dermatologist as it is a really good specialty. Also, my father is a renowned name in the field of Dermatology Dr. K.Yogiraj. I’ve always seen him practicing and how he earned respect all through by serving the society. He is my inspiration and motivation to take up medicine as my carrier. It’s not that easy to establish in this field as you need to have a deep knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders. People are usually pretty happy because you’re making them look better.
2. Do you believe in home skincare and beauty regime?
I believe in following medical protocols not just for my patients but also for myself. There are some simple steps that one should always follow to keep their skin healthy. You always need to keep yourself hydrated, it not just keep your skin healthy but also takes care of overall body. Also, follow basic skincare regimen like exfoliating and moisturizing your skin; and never forget to apply sunscreen (even on cloudy days).
3. How do you see the need for cosmetics and beauty products in daily use? Do you suggest it to your clients?
To look presentable is important and some basic beauty products are okay to use like we recommend double cleansing, especially if you wear makeup. Also suggest to start with makeup wipe or micellar water and then, use a traditional cleanser. Remember it’s not just makeup that’s going to build up on your skin; it’s also the products you’ve used during the day and also the pollutants that build up during the course of the day.
4. Just like how we visit a Gynecologist regularly, how often do you suggest we visit a dermatologist and why?
It depends mostly on every individual. There are a lot of people who fortunately don’t need to see a dermatologist regularly. So, these kinds of people should visit the dermatologist at least once each year for a thorough skin examination. And some people are at high risk for skin cancer and need to see a dermatologist every 6 months or even more often! People with acne, nail infection or rashes should immediately visit dermatologists.
5. How are health, fitness, and diet helpful in healthy or good skin and hair?
Yes, definitely eating health and exercising regularly will help you keep your skin and hair healthy. The fact is if you’re eating the right foods, you’ll get softer skin and luscious hair without any product whatsoever! Like a handful of walnuts can everyday work on your skin’s texture and also help in keeping your mane lustrous for long. Also, Spinach contains Vitamin A and C which fights wrinkles and undoing all the damage caused by pollutants in the air.
6. What are the tips you could give the readers according to the seasons?
No matter in which season you are in, you always need to take care of few things. You should drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated. Always remove your makeup with your cleansers before sleeping as substances that make your make up can also cause many skin imperfections, when left for hours on end during the night. And the easiest thing you can do to help your skin is eat more of fruits and salads than junk food.
7. How often do you suggest a beauty treatment?
Skin care specialists recommend that people have a professional facial about every three to four weeks. That’s how long it takes your skin to move through the full life cycle of skin cell growth and exfoliation. A facial helps that process along. The treatment will keep your skin clean, clear, and toned. Having one every three to four weeks helps you maintain that beautiful glow all month long.
8. Can you burst any myths about skin and hair care?
There is a ton of skin care myths floating around that could be dragging your beauty regimen down. But very common is its okay to touch your face. Think about it: With the number of items like doorknobs, keyboards, and cellphones you touch over the course of the day. You can rack up a lot of bacteria and germs on your fingers and hands. To avoid transferring any of the nasty stuff to your face, try not to touch, rub, or rest your hands on your face. Something else to keep in mind: You shouldn’t apply any skin care products to your face with dirty hands. Make sure to wash your hands before application. Now that you know your hands can harbor bacteria, it makes total sense that this is a must.
