Science has the answer!

A staunch believer in proven science, Dr Shruti Gondi established Science of Skin (SoS), a clinic to provide skin, hair and cosmetology services. Having received the Global Healthcare award in the category of Best Emerging Clinic for hair transplant and trichology, at New Delhi in October 2018, Shruti intends to build the clinic as a brand recognised for treatments backed by scientific formulae along with itsavailability in an emergency, as in SoS. Dr Shruti divulges the details.

Excerpts

Which hair complaint is extensively visible?
Many patients come to us with complaints of hair fall,visible and triggered at an early age. Previously,hair fall was a complaint heard from people inlate 30s or 40s, but now youngsters too are losing hair. The reason can bemulti factorial like the type of water used, physical and mental stress, changes in diet, vitamin deficiency, and hormone imbalance. As there is no test to find out the reason for hair fall, we tend to eliminate each factor while diagnosingand treating the patient.

Which skin complaint is most common?
Many men and women come to us with acne problem. Earlier acne was seen at younger age and in girls and the reasons for acne to occur would be hormonal, but now we see adult acne too.Diet doesn’t play a major role in acne as it plays in hair fall, but stress and genetics could be the cause. And, pollution can also cause pimples, along with tanningand damage to the skin, which isn’t visible right now, but it will make you age little faster.

What is your take on herbal products available in the market?
I am more of a scientific person, I do not recommend organic or herbal products as we do not know what really goes into these products. Cosmetic companies can label the product as per their wish but unless we aren’t sure what has really gone into it, they aren’t advisable. Medicated prescribed products are safer. It’s better to choose what suits your skin type.

What is your advice for the cosmeticfanatics?
The skin tends to change with age, if you are applying cosmetics at a younger age then the damage that would show up in your 20s or 30s, but if you are using cosmetics in later age then the damage in 40s or 50s would be less. But the damage will still be there. Hence, make sure to use cosmetics or make up of a good brand. And, it will dry out your skin while you apply any cosmetic so make sure to moisturise the skin to keep it hydrated and supple.

What is the standard process to interact with patients to avoid backfires?
I can talk only on behalf of dermatologists, I don’t know about doctors in other streams. Each patient is different so it is advisable to modify the treatment to their wishes only then the patient will be happy, and you would be happy.But there will be ups and downs and that’s why we have all the protocols in place to avoid adverse situations with patients as much as possible. Explanation of the treatment and medical words in layman terms, educating the patient about the after effects of the treatment depending on each one’s skin sensitivity must be followed.Yet, we can only do the treatment, maintaining post treatment is in the patient’s hand.

- Divya Rao