Inspiring millions with a single post, Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie recently shared a no make-up selfie on social media. “Beneath the make-up and behind the smile, I am just a regular person. So many girls look up to me. I want them to know that natural is beautiful. They aren’t fully aware of the fact that behind the looks there are a lot of designers, make-up artists, and Photoshop editing. Celebrities’ whole sense of beauty is flawed. At 40 now I am beginning to accept who I am. I have flaws and that’s okay,” wrote the actress.
“Natural is beautiful” — a note that people at home can surely take to heart. From Malaika Arora Khan’s ageless look to Sridevi’s famous nose job, Bollywood celebrities are not usually known for promoting natural or no-make up looks. Even Kajal Aggarwal was slammed recently when spotted looking dull and not her usual glamorous self during a trip overseas. And even though Hyderabad is considered a conservative market when it comes to people opting for botox treatments, doctors present us with an alarming trend — the need for perfection.
“From youngsters to middle-aged men and women, the top most requirement for people in the city is fairness. Hyderabad is still a closed marked when compared to Mumbai and Delhi for botox or injectibles. But what they do ask for is ‘fillers’, which is mostly for even skin tones, getting rid of dark circles, tanning, freckles etc.,” says Dr Rajetha Damisetty, consultant dermatologist, Mohana Skin and Hair Clinic, Kukatpally. She admits that the numbers are on the rise. “In a week, I see 20 people, including youngsters, who want a natural, no-makeup look; but they also don’t want imperfections.”
Dr Pallavi Reddy, dermatologist for Apollo Hospitals, was appalled when she came across an 18-year-old girl who wanted a face lift. “She was quite bony and had under-eye hollows and visible wrinkles, but I told her to come back after few years,” she says. While the incident took place a year ago, one can ass-ume that the numbers today are far higher. “Most youngsters come for skin rejuvenation around weddings and ask for acne scars to be removed, under eye filling etc.,” she says.
Dr Vijayasree, dermatologist, cosmetologist and trichologist with Max Cure in city specialises in peels and skin lightening, and more than 150 people in the age group of 15 to 35 years opt for these services every month. “People want a spotless skin, no marks or pimples; even if they have a single pimple, they come in for treatments... Many come after a holiday for tan removal,” she says.
Judging by the trend, one can assume that it will take quite a while for people to accept their “flaws and be okay with it”. But until then, doctors present us with a simple solution. “Many a times, a dull skin is because of Vitamin B or iron deficiency or because of health ailments such as thyroid, insulin resistance etc. One should begin with basic skin and sun protection care from childhood and natural anti-ageing remedies after 25. No treatment can give you glowing or healthy skin that a good diet and a healthy lifestyle can’t,” says Dr Rajetha.
