Last week, reports from New Mexico, claiming that two people were infected with HIV post receiving a vampire facial at the same spa, set social media abuzz. Could your wish for rejuvenated skin give way to life-threatening diseases, asked some. Yet others were mystified by the term itself: What is a vampire facial?
The term rose to popularity back in 2013 when Kim Kardashian posted a picture of herself, face splattered with blood, post a Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection. She tagged it #VampireFacial. “The technique involves separating the platelet-rich plasma from your blood to be injected on your skin and scalp, to rejuvenate skin and help with hair growth, respectively,” says Chennai-based dermatologist Dr Deepika Lunawat.
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder which of late has been significantly linked with metabolic syndrome (MS). Objective: To assess the association between psoriasis and MS and evaluate specific disease characteristics predisposing for the development of MS. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective, observational, descriptive study with 207 adult patients with various types of psoriasis.
Chennai : The summer holidays are close and swimming pools around the city are getting crowded as training slots fill up.
The common causes : At the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital, there are several patients who seek treatment for the condition, every day, says Dr M Mani Megalai, Professor of Dermatology here. She explains, “Though it is an autoimmune disorder—that is when your immune system mistakenly attacks some part of your own body--- it is also possible that one or more genes may make a person more likely to develop the disorder. It could be hereditary as well, but that doesn’t mean children of all with the condition inherit the disease.
Chennai: I have developed cellulite in my thighs over a period of time. They are visible, when I wear a short skirt. Is there a permanent cure?
S. Vinitha, Nungambakkam
This is a condition in which the skin appears to have areas with underlying fat deposits. Losing weight definitely helps, but 100 per cent cure is not available. Retinol-based creams help to some extent, yet there aren’t any proven results for 100 per cent cure. Treatments involving infra-red light and laser do help to some extent. There are other factors that have to be considered like genes and hormones.
Chennai: In case of hypothyroidism, apart from thyroid levels, what else should be monitored regularly? Is there any food restriction? Anandhi V, Chennai
It is the TSH level that needs to be monitored regularly, most importantly. However, in case of a swelling in the neck, tests have to be done for goitre. Apart from these, there might be a need to also check the lipid profile for one -off cases.
Chennai: The commonest of skin problems is prickly heat, an itchy rash of small and raised red spots that causes a stinging or prickling sensation on the skin, points out Dr Subhashini Mohan a dermatologist. She adds that though people think that a coating of talcum powder will keep the skin dry, it also tends to clog the pores of the skin.
I am just 18, doing my coaching for NEET 2017. I suffer from severe hair loss for the past two years and right know I am afraid of becoming bald. I lose more than 100 hairs per day which is a matter of concern. Even after visiting a doctor, the hair loss has continued . Please help me out with a better solution.-Priyanka A, Chennai
Stress along with low hemoglobin, low vitamin b12, low vitamin D3 levels, hormonal issues are some of the causes of hairfall at this age. Since the hairfall is of 2 yrs duration you need to be investigated. Treatment will include correction of the above along with topicals like minoxidil, peptides. Oral biotin supplementation. Procedures like platelet rich plasma therapy will also help. A nutritious & well balanced diet is a must.
