Monsoon and Men

Beauty has conventionally been the exclusive forte of women. Men have had little to do with it in history. The modern male, however, is a different story. Their interest in beauty has consistently risen over the past few decades. Hygiene, personal grooming and presentability have become priorities. Being style-savvy, keeping up with fashion and taking care of their skin and hair has increasingly become integral to their lives. Skin problems are a frequent thing for people of all ages during monsoon and many men may not know how to deal with them. So, we asked celebrity cosmetologist, aesthetician and Founder-Director of Alps Beauty Clinic and Academy, Bharti Taneja, what steps should men take to avoid skin and hair trouble this season

Skin Care

Monsoon rains are relief for everyone. After a spell of hot and sunny, cool and cloudy is a welcome change. But, the seasonal humidity can be quite stifling for our skin.Sweating, combined with dust and dirt,causes annoying skin problems like acne, blackheads and whiteheads for many.You can avoid these by taking some basic precautions and following some simple steps for skin care. Clean your face at least 4-5 times a day with an astringent or skin toner. This will freshen up the skin and get rid of any extra oil. Scrub your face at least twice in a week. This will open up your pores and cleanse the skin of impurities. This is the best way to avoid and clear up blackheads & whiteheads. Put on a face pack that suits your skin to close the pores. In extreme cases, go to any reputed cosmetic clinic and getthe laser and young treatment done. It resolves 80-90% of pores problems and is given over a number of sittings. Start your day with a refreshing bath – put lemon peels in a tub the night before and bathe with the water next morning.

Hair Care

Hair can get sticky, frizzy and unmanageable if exposed to sweat. Wash your head every alternate day with a shampoo suitable to your hair to keep them soft and nourished. Follow this up with a conditioner according to your hair type. Creamy conditioners are best for dry hair. You can also mix vinegar in water and rinse your head with it. Dandruff is a very common problem in monsoon. Don’t take it lightly if you’ve got dandruff as too much dandruff leads to hairfall. Give your hair and scalp a good wash every 2-3 days with an anti-dandruff shampoo that suits you. If this doesn’t solve the problem then go for the bioptron treatment at any reputed cosmetic clinic. It will reduce dandruff and decrease your hair loss.

Foot Care

As the drizzles and downpours of the monsoon season replenish the earth and rejuvenate the greenery around us, they also increase the chances of infections. Our feet have to bear the brunt of this problem, being cloistered in footwear all day. Stinky feet are a real relationship killer, not to mention being really embarrassing. Be regular at cleaning your feet.Always dry them thoroughly before wearing socks. Pay special attention to the spaces between your toes. Put talcum powder in them to reduce any bad odour. You can also put some talcum powder in your socks. Wherever feasible, wear open-toed footwear. This will keep your feet dry andlet them breathe. Get a pedicure from any good cosmetic clinic every 15 days or so to keep your feet clean and hygienic.

Apparel

Picking the right clothes to wear for any situation is a very important decision. So when you are reorganizing your wardrobe for monsoon, keep comfort and utility at the top of your priority list. Swap tight jeans for cotton trousers and 3/4ths; formal shirts can be replaced with casual cotton shirts, t-shirts and tank tops. If you’re really partial to denim, then go for stretch denim and bull denim jeans.These are comfortable to wear in monsoon and allow your skin some air if they get drenched.

(The author is the Director of ALPS Clinic and Academy)

Skin care in summer

Bharti Taneja

A hectic trans-continental itinerary for a corporate high-flyer or a chilled out Caribbean cruise vacation for a retiree - skin care concerns all travellers and none more so than those who are always on the move. Read on to find some easy solutions to your skin care concerns while flying all over the circuit.

Fluids and Food

• Water is the essential ingredients for life. Nothing beats it when it comes to hydration –something that your body needs quite a lot during summer. There should always be a bottle of water in your handbag.

• Nutritious liquids like fruit juices, buttermilk, lime water and any other naturally cooling drinks are very good for summer. They replenish the body, give it essential vitamins and are very tasty. Drink as much of these as you can.

• Stick with the foods you know and eat on a regular basis. This is not the best season to be experimenting with food. Nothing ruins travel plans like an upset stomach and no one enjoys rushing to the loo every five minutes.

• Fruit salads with juicy fruits like watermelons, musk melons and cucumbers make for a very fulfilling and beneficial snack during summer. Eat plenty of fruits and give your skin the vitamins it needs to recover from exposure.

Saving the Skin

• Sunscreens are literally your summer body armour. NEVER leave home without them. Put on a sunscreen 10 minutes before heading out to let your skin absorb it completely. A sunscreen with an SPF between 20 and 35 gives ideal protection. Replenish your skin with after every 2 hours or so.

• An afternoon sun is the most dangerous thing you can expose you skin to. So, if you’re out between noon and 3, then give yourself maximum protection. Protect your skin with scarves, stoles, umbrellas etc.

• Travelling means dealing with dust, dirt and impurities. They cover your face and prevent moisturizers from doing their job and makeup from staying on. Clean your face regularly with face wipes containing cleansing properties.

• Apply an AHA enriched cream on your skin before going to bed.

Protecting your Peepers

• Tea contains tannin which helps in reducing dark circles and swelling. When you’re at leisure, put cool tea bags over your eyes to relax them.

• Dark circles can also be reduced by applying AHA enriched cream in a clockwise motion with the index finger.

• Shades are an essential part of any traveller’s kit. Use them to shield your eyes from direct sunlight.

Hair and Heat

• Perspiration can potentially damage your hair a lot. Sweat makes hair all sticky and dirty. Clean your hair every alternate day or so. Know your hair type and choose your shampoos and conditioners accordingly.

• Cover your hair and protect it from direct sunlight.

• Go with a compact hairstyle like braids or ponytails to avoid any perspiration damage.

(The author is the Director of ALPS Clinic and Academy)

Fight Ageing with these Super-skin-treatments

Credit Role: Ms. Bharti Taneja, Director of ALPS Beauty Clinics

RRR Facial:

This is amongst the successful skin treatments to combat signs of skin-ageing. As the three R’s imply – this facial, rehydrates, regenerates and rejuvenates the skin. So, if you encounter sagging or loss of elasticity on your skin, due to age or any other factor – this treatment is sure to prove beneficial by treating such issues.

How it works?

The elements involved in this treatment boost the collagen production in the skin-cells – making you do away with early signs of ageing. This process involves exfoliating and enhancing the fabrication of new cells for faster renewal of your skin – which shows off! The facial is done using micro-massager or uplifting machine which uplifts your face while making the saggy skin firm and elastic. In the end, a face mask called ‘young-skin’ mask is applied all over your face –containing 95% of collagen. This works as a great skin-food and rehydrates your skin as well – improving its firmness and flexibility.

Photo Facial:

The process of Photo Facial takes around 60 minutes and starts with thorough cleansing of the skin; like any other facial. This treatment is often done by a professional Doctor – who follows the process of Intensed Pulsed Light (IPL) and infuses light rays called, genone, deeper inside your skin. It enhances the production of collagen – a protein found underneath your skin and responsible for its flexibility. This procedure increases upto 50% production of collagen in your cells – while preventing maturing skin’s issues; such as, wrinkles and fine lines, saggy skin to occur on your face – while keeping it firmness enact. Also, this improves the cellular activity of the skin and decreases melanin formation for keeping brown spots etc, at bay. This also augments the action of nourishing elements inside the skin layers – eventually, making it appear better in texture. Also, responsible for boosting the regeneration process of the cells, this treatment concludes along with applying a ‘young-skin’ mask again, for a smoother, firmer skin.

How it works?

This facial lightens the occurrence of fine lines and wrinkles and makes your skin glow by removing spots of ageing on your face. Moreover, the treatment can also be used to making loose skin tighter, by implementing a latest technology using light. Besides slowing down signs of early ageing – this facial also removes pigmentation spots upto a great extent.

Indulge in Melt-proof Beauty this Monsoon!

Credit Role: Bharti Taneja, Founder-Director, Alps Beauty Clinics

Slug: Monsoon calls for fragrant breeze, dampened meadows – and all this, makes way for a great time to break the monotony and infuse splendor in your makeup too!. But, rainy season also brings patchy foundation, dripping mascara, smudging lip color, unmanageable hair. Prevent this, with these ultimate Melt-proof Makeup and Beauty tips by Renowned Beauty Expert and Founder-Director of Alps BeautyClinic, Bharti Taneja.

*The rainy season also causes humidity in the atmosphere, causing sweat and dripping of makeup. Therefore it is suggested to apply waterproof base followed by patting on loose powder to set the makeup perfectly on the skin. You can also alternatively, use a two-way-cake as a quick substitute for waterproof makeup during monsoons.

*It is also recommended to use a powder-based blusher to infuse a natural flush on your cheeks in this season of romance. You can try subtle shades of pinks and peaches – depending upon which suits you the best. Also, blending nicely is the key while using blush-ons, for a softer and natural look.

*Bright certainly looks more beautiful during monsoons – so when it comes to eye makeup – you can probably add some spark by using  dazzling colors and let your eyes do all the talking. Using shades such as bright pinks and oranges is preferable; remember that they are waterproof. Besides, using waterproof eye makeup basics (Liner, Kohl and Mascara) is also recommended in rainy weather to save your makeup from draining away.

*Apart from this, if re-touching the makeup of your eyes seems a fussy-affair to you; you can go for permanent kajal (kohl) and eyeliner application to say good bye to your woes. This will last for at least 10 – 15 years and will keep your eye makeup worries at bay.

*As, neon shades are making their mark in the fashion circuit, they will be hit during monsoons too. Reds, oranges and pinks are some of the most popular shades these days. You can use these bright colors to make your monsoon merrier.

*It is advisable not leave your hair loose/open as far as possible as they can get oily by mingling up with the rain-water along with the sweat – making you feel tacky. It is best to tie them into a mid-rise bun or a high pony to beat the heat of humidity. One may also go for short haircut in order to make a better style statement this season. Using hair gels is not recommended because they may cause dandruff and hair-fall during damp weather. Also, one should indulge in regular hair washes to do away with hair-problems.

So, make sure to remember these tips in order to wish yourself for the Happiest Monsoons ever!

www.alpsbeautyclinic.com

पर्मानेंट हेयर स्टाइलिंग-

लुक चेंज करने का सबसे इक्नॉमिकल व आसान तरीका हेयर स्टाइल चेंज करना है, ये तो हम सभी जानते हैं। लेकिन आज की फास्ट लाइफ में जहां सबकुछ क्विक व इंस्टेंट है, वहां हेयर स्टाइल भी ऐसा होना चाहिए जो ट्रेंडी और फैशनेबल तो हो ही साथ ही साथ ईजी टू मैनेज भी हो जिससे आप जब चाहें कभी-भी, कहीं-भी फिंगर कॉम्ब करके ही खुद को तैयार कर सकें। ऐसे ही कुछ पर्मानेंट हेयर स्टाइलिंग के बारे में जानते हैं...सुप्रसिद्ध कॉस्मेटोलॉजिस्ट, ऐस्थिटीशियन व एल्पस कॉस्मेटिक क्लीनिक की फांउडर डॉयरेक्टर भारती तनेजा जी से।

रिबांउडिंग- कर्ली बालों को स्ट्रेट करने का ये एक पर्मानेंट सल्यूशन है जिससे बाल कम से कम 8 महीने से लेकर साल भर के लिए बिल्कुल स्ट्रेट हो जाते हैं। हालांकि यूं तो बालों को प्रैसिंग मशीन के जरिए भी टेम्परेरी तौर पर स्ट्रेट किया जा सकता है लेकिन टेम्परेरी स्ट्रेटनिंग आपको रोज-रोज करनी पड़ती है जिससे बार-बार हीट लगने से बाल खराब भी हो जाते हैं। जबकि पर्मानेंट स्ट्रेटनिंग यानि रिबांउडिंग में यूज़ होने वाले प्रोडक्ट से बालों की कंडीशनिंग होती है और बाल लंबे दिखने के साथ-साथ खूबसूरत भी नजर आते हैं। इसे करवाने के कम से कम 3 दिन और हो सके तो हफ्ते भर तक बालों को टाई न करें और न ही बार-बार कान के पीछे ले जाएं। इसके साथ ही स्विमिंग, स्टीम, सॉउना और जिम से जुड़ी एक्टिविटीज को ज्यादा से ज्यादा अवॉइड करें। जब भी सोएं बाल सीधे लटकाकर सोएं और कम से कम तीन दिन तक बालों में शैंपू न करें।

स्मूदनिंग- लैस स्ट्रेटनिंग के साथ-साथ बालों को नैचुरली सॉफ्ट स्मूद लुक देने व साथ ही उन्हें मैनेजेबल बनाएं रखने के लिए स्मूदनिंग करवाना एक अच्छा ऑप्शन है। इससे बाल बिल्कुल भी आर्टीफिशियल नजर नहीं आते हैं और इतने सिल्की हो जाते हैं कि आप जब चाहें फिंगर कॉम्ब करके ही अपने बालों को संवार सकती हैं। स्मूदनिंग बहुत ज्यादा कर्ली बालों पर नहीं बल्कि वेवी बालों पर अच्छे से होती है। क्योंकि इंडिया में अक्सर लड़कियों के बाल वेवी होते हैं, ऐसे में स्मूदनिंग करवा लेने से उनके बालों को एक अच्छा चेंज मिल जाता है। बस स्मूदनिंग के बाद अच्छी क्वालिटी का शैंपू व कंडीशनर इस्तेमाल करना चाहिए। चाहें तो स्मूदनिंग को खूबसूरती से रिफलेक्ट करने के लिए कोई अच्छा सा स्टाइलिश हेयर कट भी करवा सकती हैं। स्मूदनिंग को मेनटेन करने के लिए भी रिबांउडिंग वाले स्टेप्स को फॉलो करना चाहिए।

पर्मिंग- बेशक स्ट्रेट बाल इन दिनों लाखों दिलों की चाहत बन गए हों लेकिन अपनी चीज भला किसे अच्छी लगती हैं। खूबसूरती का ये तोहफा जिन्हें कुदरती तौर पर मिला है और जो इसके कारण खुद से बोर हो चुके हैं, उनके लिए पर्मिंग....एक बेस्ट ऑप्शन है। इसके अंतर्गत आपके बालों को रोलर्स व अन्य पर्मानेट सल्यूशंस द्धारा कर्ल कर दिया जाता है जिससे बाल मुड़े हुए व वेवी दिखाई देते हैं। जिनके बाल पतले हैं, उनके लिए भी पर्मिंग स्टाइल काफी अच्छी है क्योंकि इससे बाल काफी घने नजर आते हैं। पर्मिंग में इस्तेमाल होने वाले केमिकल से बाल रूखे हो जाते हैं इसलिए सबसे अहम है, इसकी ऑफ्टर केयर....बालों के रूखेपन को कम करने के लिए ये पैक बना लें। इसके लिए एक केले को मिक्सी में मैश कर लें, फिर इसमें 3 चम्मच दूध, शहद और जैतून का तेल मिक्स कर के अपने बालों में लगाएं। कुछ घंटे बाद बालों को सादे पानी से धो दें। ध्यान रहे इस पैक के बाद बालों को शैंपू तुरंत नहीं बल्कि कम से कम दो घंटे बाद ही करें साथ ही शैंपू के बाद कंडीशनर का इस्तेमाल जरूर करें।

Say Good Bye To Hair Problems

Credit Role: Ms. Bharti Taneja, Renowned Cosmetologist & Aesthetician and Founder-Director of ALPS Beauty Clinics

Ever increasing pollution levels, rising amount of stress in day-to-day life has left us with numerous banes on our bodies – be it in the form of skin-problems or hair related issues – the misdeed of our surroundings is clearly visible on every part of our body. When it comes to tresses – our crowning glory has been defamed by problems like, hair fall, dandruff, dryness, brittleness, split ends and more… Renowned Cosmetologist & Aesthetician and Founder-Director of ALPS Beauty Clinics, Ms. Bharti Taneja, reveals, all such hair-issues and their solutions – for a mane that flows with health.

Exploring the causes!

For any of your hair woes, it becomes important to first understand basic cause of that issue which is causing your worry. There can be a plenty of reasons which can be further classified in to the external and internal factors for your hair-related problems. And, once you know it – you know the jack of the trade – and then, there’s no one stopping you from bidding adieu to your hair related woes! 

The External Factors:

The external factors certainly include situations, like, change in weather, dandruff, excessive usage of chemicals, hygiene factors, lack of regular care and more... For example, our hair tend to fall during monsoons and therefore, we should pamper them a bit more during this season to prevent excessive falling. Apart from this, using a range of hair products which do not suit your hair – can also be a major cause of your worry – so before you go for any measure, you may try swapping your shampoos and conditioners with the suitable ones to wave off your woes. For hair fall, dandruff has been the main culprit – as it causes itchiness and hair loss along! Therefore, if you have dandruff – dry or oily – you may first aim for removing it from the root. Pick up some quality anti-dandruff shampoo from your retailer, to keep this ‘white-mess’ at bay. Look out for organic, herbal brands in order to stay away from chemicals, as they can lead to major hair fall again. An important tip to be followed for dandruff is to wash your towel, comb and pillow cover using a mild detergent, then dip them antiseptic solution for half an hour and dry it under the sun after every hair-wash to let your own hair residual (oil, dandruff etc.) not be a cause of your hair woes. For dryness and split ends – which are twins of hair issues – a proper conditioning process is required to do away with these. Conditioning after every hair-wash, will not only nourish you mane but will seal the hair cuticle while making hair smooth and shiny.  

The Internal Issues:

 It can be said that hair problems occur due to several internal issues like, lack of nutrition, genetic factors, stress, health issues - like thyroid, high/low blood pressure,  constipation, diabetes etc,. Hence, it is advisable to go for a proper medical check-up with an expert doctor to properly analyze the whole situation and the main cause of your hair issues in a better way. You never know, while doing so you may be able to figure out the cure to all the medical problems inside you. Your hair issues also emerge due to several side-effects caused by medicines taken for your ailments like, high/low blood pressure, thyroid etc,. Like, hair-fall is very commonly found in patients of high blood pressure who take doses of heavy medicines. Hence, it becomes important to neutralize the side-effects of such medicines by keep taking essential nutrients. For example, having a banana as your mid-day snack will lessen your hair fall by neutralizing the side-effects of the medicines you take for high B.P. Our tresses are made up of keratin- a hard protein therefore, it becomes important to have a wholesome protein-rich diet that also contains the essential vitamin-minerals (especially, vitamin-E) for boosting the keratin formation – and eventually, the growth of your mane. Nowadays, technology is also evading to the field of hair treatments; ozone is one such treatment you should go for if your hair are damaged or falling. Similarly, Bioptron, also boosts hair volume by stopping hair fall and removing dandruff too – as it can be one of the reason for hair-fall. But, while you opt for one such treatment; make sure you visit a professional salon to achieve faster and better results and do away with side-effects.

All this will endow you with a crowning glory that shines and flows with health!

पर्मानेंट सल्यूशंस फॉर ब्यूटी प्रॉब्लम्स-

बेशक मेकअप चेहरे की खामियों को छुपाकर उसे खूबसूरती से हाइलाइट करता है लेकिन खूबसूरती का ये निखार केवल कुछ घंटों तक ही सीमित रहता है।तभी तो 25 साल पहले ही सुप्रसिद्ध कॉस्मेटोलॉजिस्ट, ऐस्थिटीशियन व एल्पस कॉस्मेटिक क्लीनिक की फांउडर डॉयरेक्टर भारती तनेजा जी ने खूबसूरती से संबंधित समस्याओं का पर्मानेंट सल्यूशन निकाल लिया था। आइए जानते हैं, ऐसी ही कुछ प्रॉब्लम्स व उनके समाधान के बारे में।

अनग्रूम्ड आईब्रोज- आईब्रोज़ की सही शेप आपके चेहरे को एक बेहतर फ्रेम प्रदान करती है जिससे आपके फीचर्स बड़ी ही ख़ूबसूरती से निखर कर आते हैं। लेकिन कई बार कुछ लोगों की आईब्रोज़ लाइट होती हैं तो कुछ की इतनी पतली कि चेहरे पर पता ही नहीं चलती। इसके अलावा कभी-कभी बचपन की किसी चोट के चलते आईब्रो में कट हो जाने पर उनकी शेप खराब हो जाती है, जिस कारण हमें डेली-डेली अपनी आईब्रोज की शेप को इंप्रूव करने के लिए आईब्रो पेंसिल का इस्तेमाल करना पड़ता है। पर्मानेंट आईब्रोज....ऐसी प्रॉब्लम का पर्मानेंट सल्यूशन है। इसके जरिए मशीन द्धारा एक बार आईब्रो को खूबसूरत शेप व मनचाहे रंग से बना दिया जाता है जो पसीने या नहाने से खराब नहीं होती और लगभग 15 साल तक टिकती है।

लेंस प्रॉब्लम- यूं तो स्टाइलिश फ्रेम्स के इस्तेमाल से आप खुद को काफी बोल्ड एंड ब्यूटीफुल दिखा सकती हैं मगर आजकल के इस फैशनेबल वर्ल्ड में ज्यादातर लड़कियां अपनी आंखों को डिफरेंट लुक देने के लिए कलर लेंसेस का प्रयोग कर रही हैं। लेकिन लेंस व चश्मे का इस्तेमाल करने वालों के लिए रोज़-रोज़ लाइनर व काजल लगाना दिक्कत का विषय हो जाता है। जैसे लेंस लगाकर लाइनर व काजल लगाने से आंखों से पानी बह सकता है तो वहीं बाद में लेंस लगाने से इनके फैलने का डर रहता है। पर्मानेंट आईलाइनर और काजल से आपकी ये समस्या सुलझ सकती है। ये लगभग 15 साल तक टिकेगा और इसे लगवाकर आपकी आंखें हर पल कजरारी व सुंदर दिखेंगी।

           

नीड ऑफ लिपजॉब- यूं तो करेक्टिव मेकअप की मदद से लिप्स को सुंदर शेप में लाया जा सकता है मगर चंद घंटों के बाद आपकी वही शेप फिर से सामने आ जाने के कारण दिल उदास हो जाता है और होठों की मुस्कान फीकी पड़ जाती है। इस मुस्कान को रात-दिन यूं ही बनाएं रखने के लिए आप लिपजॉब की बजाय पर्मानेंट लिपलाइनर लगवा सकती हैं। इससे लिप्स की शेप 2 वर्षों तक हर पल सुन्दर बनी रहेगी और इस खूबसूरत शेप को आईने में देखकर आप हर पल मुस्कुरा उठेंगी।

पेल लिप्स- ऐसे होठों को कलरफुल करने के लिए अब आपको बार-बार लिपस्टिक लगाने की जरूरत नहीं क्योंकि ऐसे लिप्स के लिए पर्मानेंट लिपस्टिक एक वरदान है। इससे होठ तकरीबन 2 महीने से लेकर एक साल तक गुलाबी व सुन्दर बने रहते हैं। पर्मानेंट लिपस्टिक पेल ही नहीं बल्कि डार्क ही लिप्स के लिए भी एक बेहतरीन सल्यूशन है।

ल्यूकोडर्मा पैचेस- यदि आप सफेद दाग या ल्यूकोडर्मा पैचेस की शिकार हैं तो पर्मानेंट कलरिंग की तकनीक आपके लिए किसी रामबाण से कम नहीं। इसके अंतर्गत स्किन से मैच करते कलर को त्वचा की डर्मिस लेयर तक पहुंचाया जाता है जिससे दाग छुप जाते हैं। पर्मानेंट कलरिंग का असर 2 साल से लेकर 15 साल तक बना रह सकता है।

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