“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the most beautiful of them all?'' asked the evil queen in the famous fairytale.
The magic mirror would reply: “You, my queen,'' and the queen would be pleased — till the day it said: “She whose skin is as white as snow, hair as black as ebony and lips as red as a rose.'' Of course, we all know what happened to the mirror then.
Meaningless parameters
Well, the mirror may have been silenced but has that description not been handed down generation after generation, century after century, as the criteria for being considered beautiful?
Well, it definitely has been handed down to the country I hail from, where skin complexion features big in matrimonial ads for brides.
But what about the Naomi Campbells, the Halle Berrys and the Bipasha Basus of the world?
These women are considered some of the most beautiful and are the highest-paid in the glamour world. Then why the hankering after fair skin?
Glow in three steps
“What dermatologists and skin specialists would qualify as beautiful is not dependent on whether skin is fair or dark but whether it is disease-free, blemish-free and untainted by the harmful effects of the sun and advancing age,'' Dr Bell Eapen, a dermatologist at Kaya Skin Clinic, told Unwind.
We were attending an interactive session with Dr Eapen, who gave the group tips to avoid skin problems.
“If we follow three easy steps as part of our daily skincare routine — clean, moisturise and apply sunscreen when stepping out during the day — it will help us achieve healthy skin and keep dark spots and pigmentation at bay,'' he said.
Flip side
The ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun lead to skin pigmentation, Dr Eapen explained. Therefore, applying a good sunscreen is essential.
There is, however, a flip side to applying sunscreen. “Sunscreen gives you a false sense of security. ‘Oh, I've applied sunscreen, I can stay out in the sun longer,' you think.''
Someone like me, however, is better off without sunscreen, because I tend to develop rashes even if I apply sunscreens with the highest SPF (sun-protection factor).
So, is there any particular way to choose sunscreen? Again, how much of it should be used?
“This varies from person to person,'' Dr Eapen says. “There's no standard quantity or universal SPF for all skin types.
One can determine this only after examining the person's skin. But one should always remember to apply sunscreen only after applying moisturiser.
It is also important to keep in mind that rashes and dermal irritation can be caused due to sudden changes in temperature.
For example, when you step out of an air-conditioned place into the heat of the afternoon sun, your sweat ducts may not have opened properly due to the moisturiser on your skin, which causes rashes and allergies.''
Special care
“You need to take special care of the face, the hands, the neck, the lips and the eyes.
Always wear a broad-rimmed hat to cover your face, a long-sleeved, high-necked shirt or dress to cover your hands and UV-protected shades.
In case of women, a good quality, preferably dark-coloured lipstick is also advisable before stepping out,'' he continued.
“The best sunscreen is not a chemical-based product but umbrellas, scarves, hats and the clothes you wear.
Try and cover yourself as much as possible before stepping out in the sun. Preferably, wear clothes without a tight weave,'' Dr Eapen says.
Did you know?
Oral sunscreens or systemic sunscreens are also available in the market — but only as prescription drugs.
One natural oral sunscreen, according to Dr Bell Eapen, is beta carotene, the organic compound that gives carrots their colour. So, to fight the sun, munch on Bugs Bunny's favourite snack.
TIPS
Take care of your skin
Beat the heat by following these simple pointers:
- Drink a lot of water. It is recommended that women drink 8 to 10 cups of water and men 10 to 12 cups every day.
- Consume low-fat dairy products, such as skimmed milk, yoghurt and cottage cheese, to replenish calcium lost during sweating.
- Eat loads of berries — raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. These are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Also take protein-rich foods such as lean meats, beans, nuts and seeds.
- To protect your back from the heat, wear cotton garments rather than synthetics. Cotton lets the skin breathe while synthetic clings to it.
- For a quick skin boost in the sun, always carry a misting spray for the face and body.
- Wear flip-flops and strappy sandals instead of closed-toe shoes. Feet that can't breathe stink and develop rashes.
- Wear UV-protected shades.
- And best, avoid the sun by staying indoors, especially in the afternoon.
