'Looking good has become a necessity'

Has looking good become a necessity? Is age only a state of mind? How far would you go in the name of beauty? In its continuing series of conversations on lifestyle and entertainment issues, DNA brought together an impressive panel of primp-and-preen experts:

DNA: Do you think beauty as an industry has grown to its full potential?
Jamuna Pai: We have just about scratched the surface of the industry. There is lots of awareness and knowledge and we are growing fast
Coleen Khan: Looking good is no longer a luxury, it has become a necessity.
Clint Fernandes: Women know what is good for them and what is not
Nisha Javeri: Priorities have changed, beauty is considered very important. Women have become selfish in a way
Snehal Sriram: Earlier they would concentrate only on husbands, children and parents. But now it's all about confidence and looking good

DNA: How conscious have men become? What are they most in for?
JP: Yes, men are increasingly coming in for Botox and other treatments
NJ: Men are becoming increasingly insecure, they want to dress younger and even work out more
CF: The upper middle class, classic example could be Saif Ali Khan or Shahrukh Khan who look 27 at the age of 42. But the average middle-class man is too busy trying to make a living
NP: Is this really economically driven or self-driven?
SS: It is both. The society has evolved and thus it’s individuals too
 
DNA: Is India experimental with hair/make-up? Or do we simply copy the west?
CF: About five years ago, I had done a show for designer Valentino and about two years ago, the same look was copied for a show in Paris by another designer
CK: I agree. We are very experimental by nature
NP: For instance, I started practicing cosmetic surgery, way back in 1970's in India

DNA: Why are celebrities still afraid to talk about plastic surgery or admit that they have gone under the knife? 
SS: In our country, people don't mind if one is naturally beautiful or attains it through natural means
NP: If a celebrity has done a nose-job or any other treatment, then she seems
less natural
JP: Celebrities are hush-hush about treatments because the people acceptance is lesser compared to the west

DNA: What is the link between looking good and eating disorders?
NJ: It's the younger generation who want to be size zero, ape models walking on the ramp. The young girls have an urge to look at them, at any cost. Thus they starve themselves 
JP: Even where health was concerned, all that mattered was how pretty you were.... But now it's a more holistic approach to healthy living
SS: The reason why people go to gym is to de-stress, the same thing applies to beauty. I want to look good, it's my 'me' time

DNA: Realistically, how much should you/can cheat age?
NP:  It depends on the
problem
JP: I think, one should cheat age as much as possible. It wouldn't hurt if one looks younger. Also age is something that is more or less a state of mind, thus it is important to address it that way
NP: Cosmetic surgery requires alot of counselling. Also some requests are not possible, so it is better to tell the patient then and there. The expectations of the mind need to be addressed
CF: I can conceal dark circles and dark lips of the models. But my suggestion to them would be to just drink and smoke less

DNA: What are the problems cosmetic surgeons and make-up artists face?
SS: A lot of education is required because it is a fragmented industry
JP: Every housewife has a permission by the municipal corporation to use 150 square feet to run her beauty business. Thus she starts with close to no experience and the results are disastrous 
RW: Earlier people would come for laser hair removal with a lot of doubts but now they are more confident
JP: However, a lot of doctors, salon owners are ill-informed
NP: There are no guidelines, the younger the doctor the more inexperienced and more eager he is to conduct surgery.
CK: But how does one know who is a great doctor to go to?
NP: It is very important for the person to conduct his research well, read online. Go to the nearest hospital, ask for a list of cosmetic surgeons, go for a session of consultations and ask your friends, read up on the procedure and the doctor and then decide
CF: In the US, there is a list issued by the American Council, which has a list of top five practicing doctors in every field
JP: However, there are no government regulations on this subject of cosmetic surgery
CK: At least for hair we are trying to get a standardised regulation to list down the basic requirements for opening up a parlor such as hygiene, training and experience.