Beauty queries

I am a 29-year-old woman. I have dry to combination skin. Given my age, should I start using anti-ageing creams? If so, which do you recommend. I don’t want to get wrinkles and fine lines later — Eliza
Dry skin needs special care, mostly it is also a thin skin. So first thing first, start off with a good moisturiser, thick and creamy one of your choice. Hydration is the best prevention for aging changes along with good sun protection. Please do use a night cream with glycolic acid, retin A and vitamins E this should keep unwanted lines at bay. One great clinic procedure is hydration with a light filler like juviderm or then PRP or platelet rich plasma.

I have been noticing coloured patches of skin on my face since the past one month. Since it’s the festive season I want my skin to be even in colour. Please suggest some remedies. —Neha
Patchy skin can be due to many reasons, some could be nutritional deficiencies, sun exposure, dehydration, oil/dry imbalance, any skin irritation. For you to first identify the cause is most important. Avoid any skin irritant if at all.

Start with a good sunscreen calm your skin with a calamine lotion, no steam, no sun exposure, no swimming chlorine kills skin, apply a skin lightening cream at night. Use the right face wash to balance the oils. Take a good multivitamin pill and check your iron.

You could benefit from peels and lasers at your doctors office.

I am an 18-year-old girl and have sensitive skin. I am fair but my problem is that my hand has tanned a lot. It looks dark as compared to my face and other parts. I use sunscreen but the tan is not going. Please suggest a good sunscreen for sensitive skin so that my tan completely goes away. — Sharifa
You could use Avene 50 SPF or Sebamed sunscreen liberally, you must know it is important to apply an adequate quantity of sunscreen and reapply it every 3 to 4 hours. If you are riding a 2-wheeler cover your arms. Use a skin lightening cream with glycolic, azelic or kojic acid at night. Take a vitamin C tab every day.

Having said that always remember that the exposed part of your body is darker than the covered part and the face is usually lighter.