The humble armpit is the new playground for fancy cosmetic procedures. And the onset of summer has only doubled the demand, experts tell Anuradha Varma.
Last fortnight, a British tabloid clapped approvingly as Hollywood star Tom Cruise's wife, Katie Holmes, was photographed wrinkling her forehead as she stepped out of an LA restaurant, squinting in the sun. And that, said the paper, was an oddity in an industry that was finding it tough to react to a joke, thanks to frozen Botoxed faces. "Yes, that's a real smile," read a cheeky caption.
They can't speak with as much certainty about her underarms, though. The cosmetic world, it seems, is gurgling with excitement at the sight of the approaching summer. Summer equals heat equals stringy, sleeveless dresses and sporty vests. And that means the spotlight is now on an entirely new, and unexplored terrain - the armpit.
Relentless rounds of shaving, lavish sprays of anti-perspirants and flaking are leading to what New Delhi-based Ritu Makhija terms, "chicken skin underarms". The result? Worry. The solution? Botox.
"I have young male professionals come by for a shot of Botox, as do several women CEOs. The male to female client ratio at my clinic is 60:40, in favour of men," says Dr Navin Taneja, director, National Skin Centre in Delhi. Each sitting costs between 30,000 and 50,000, with repeat sessions required every six months.
Botulinum toxin, popularly known as Botox, paralyses the sweat glands, leaving the armpit dry, stain andodour-free. Looking good, is clearly, no longer just about the face. "Now, it's about being presentable from head to toe," says Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, dermatologist and medical director at the International Skin and Anti-Aging Centre. Gupta, who treated four patients last summer, says she has noticed a demand for the treatment in metros, especially among 23 to 50-year-olds. Dr Taneja has administered underarm Botox for close to 25 patients in the last six months.
That makes look-conscious, deeppocketed Indians stand not too far behind their New York counterparts, who are said to have convinced their therapists to try facial dermabrasion under their arms. Last month, Bliss Spa launched the Underarmy, a new service to cater to growing demand, reported a fashion magazine.
Microdermabrasion (MDA) is an exfoliation procedure done using alpha hydroxy acids. What it does is cause the skin to peel over a period of time, giving way to a new, smooth layer. "Now, we combine it with electoporation, a process through which active ingredients like vitamin C, are transferred into the client's skin, for better results," explains Gupta. A single sitting could cost between 3,000 and 5,000, depending on the area and technology used. The procedure lasts close to 20 minutes, and five to 10 sessions may be required for desired results. But the wise and wary speak of the danger of ODing on clinical treatments. Simple and regular moisturising can improve the condition of sensitive underarm skin, say experts. A good rub of virgin coconut oil improves skin texture and keeps wrinkles at bay, says Makhija.
Why the razor isn't your friend: Herbal cosmetics manufacturer Shahnaz Husain
I Shaving is quick and hassle-free but the hair grows back quickly. Repeated shaving leaves the hair tough, and the skin, fragile. Rash and discolouration are common. Waxing plucks out hair from the roots, leaving the armpit fuzz-free longer, and with a lesser chance of ingrowth (hair curls and grows inwards into the skin). The lemon and sugar mix in wax helps prevent darkening of skin. I Gently massage a body scrub into the area to prevent ingrowth. I Mix gram flour (besan) with some yogurt, lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric to make a paste. Apply (three times a week) and wash after half an hour to keep skin smooth and pigment-free.
Cheap route to dream underarms
Don't apply deodorants directly onto the skin; leads to discolouration and eczema. Apply deo on the inner layers of clothes. Apply a moisturiser on the area every night to avoid flaky skin. Strong laundry detergent that remains on your clothes could cause irritation too. If a rash occurs, soak yourself in an oatmeal bath to soothe skin and relieve itching. - Poonam Sharma, Mantra Spa
"I have young male professionals come by for a shot of botox, as do several women ceos. the male to female client ratio at my clinic is 60:40, in favour of men" - Dr Navin Taneja
Last fortnight, a British tabloid clapped approvingly as Hollywood star Tom Cruise's wife, Katie Holmes, was photographed wrinkling her forehead as she stepped out of an LA restaurant, squinting in the sun. And that, said the paper, was an oddity in an industry that was finding it tough to react to a joke, thanks to frozen Botoxed faces. "Yes, that's a real smile," read a cheeky caption.
They can't speak with as much certainty about her underarms, though. The cosmetic world, it seems, is gurgling with excitement at the sight of the approaching summer. Summer equals heat equals stringy, sleeveless dresses and sporty vests. And that means the spotlight is now on an entirely new, and unexplored terrain - the armpit.
Relentless rounds of shaving, lavish sprays of anti-perspirants and flaking are leading to what New Delhi-based Ritu Makhija terms, "chicken skin underarms". The result? Worry. The solution? Botox.
"I have young male professionals come by for a shot of Botox, as do several women CEOs. The male to female client ratio at my clinic is 60:40, in favour of men," says Dr Navin Taneja, director, National Skin Centre in Delhi. Each sitting costs between 30,000 and 50,000, with repeat sessions required every six months.
Botulinum toxin, popularly known as Botox, paralyses the sweat glands, leaving the armpit dry, stain andodour-free. Looking good, is clearly, no longer just about the face. "Now, it's about being presentable from head to toe," says Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, dermatologist and medical director at the International Skin and Anti-Aging Centre. Gupta, who treated four patients last summer, says she has noticed a demand for the treatment in metros, especially among 23 to 50-year-olds. Dr Taneja has administered underarm Botox for close to 25 patients in the last six months.
That makes look-conscious, deeppocketed Indians stand not too far behind their New York counterparts, who are said to have convinced their therapists to try facial dermabrasion under their arms. Last month, Bliss Spa launched the Underarmy, a new service to cater to growing demand, reported a fashion magazine.
Microdermabrasion (MDA) is an exfoliation procedure done using alpha hydroxy acids. What it does is cause the skin to peel over a period of time, giving way to a new, smooth layer. "Now, we combine it with electoporation, a process through which active ingredients like vitamin C, are transferred into the client's skin, for better results," explains Gupta. A single sitting could cost between 3,000 and 5,000, depending on the area and technology used. The procedure lasts close to 20 minutes, and five to 10 sessions may be required for desired results. But the wise and wary speak of the danger of ODing on clinical treatments. Simple and regular moisturising can improve the condition of sensitive underarm skin, say experts. A good rub of virgin coconut oil improves skin texture and keeps wrinkles at bay, says Makhija.
Why the razor isn't your friend: Herbal cosmetics manufacturer Shahnaz Husain
I Shaving is quick and hassle-free but the hair grows back quickly. Repeated shaving leaves the hair tough, and the skin, fragile. Rash and discolouration are common. Waxing plucks out hair from the roots, leaving the armpit fuzz-free longer, and with a lesser chance of ingrowth (hair curls and grows inwards into the skin). The lemon and sugar mix in wax helps prevent darkening of skin. I Gently massage a body scrub into the area to prevent ingrowth. I Mix gram flour (besan) with some yogurt, lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric to make a paste. Apply (three times a week) and wash after half an hour to keep skin smooth and pigment-free.
Cheap route to dream underarms
Don't apply deodorants directly onto the skin; leads to discolouration and eczema. Apply deo on the inner layers of clothes. Apply a moisturiser on the area every night to avoid flaky skin. Strong laundry detergent that remains on your clothes could cause irritation too. If a rash occurs, soak yourself in an oatmeal bath to soothe skin and relieve itching. - Poonam Sharma, Mantra Spa
"I have young male professionals come by for a shot of botox, as do several women ceos. the male to female client ratio at my clinic is 60:40, in favour of men" - Dr Navin Taneja
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life--style/beauty/Looking-good-reaches-new-high-in-the-pits/articleshow/12673723.cms?intenttarget=no
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