AN INTERVIEW WITH DR VIDYA RAM PRADEEP, M.D., DERMATOLOGIST, KRISHNAS SKIN AND COSMETOLOGY CENTRE:


Krishnas Skin and Cosmetology Centre is located on Baliah Avenue in the Mylapore area. It was opened in 1973 by Dr A Krishna, on his return from the U.S.A., after training in Dermatology at the Henry Ford Hospital, Michigan. The clinic offers all the latest techniques available for the treatment of various skin disorders.

The centre also has a research wing, which constantly endeavours to develop preparations in house, for various skin conditions. These medicines are only available at the clinic and dispensed under the supervision of the specialists.

We speak to Dr Vidya Ram Pradeep, M.D., Dermatologist, Krishnas Skin and Cosmetology Centre, about the latest techniques available in cosmetology.

What is the reason for the clinic to be a referral centre, for Dermatology in the whole of India?
One reason could be that it is the oldest institution in the country when it comes to dermatology. It was started at a time when there were hardly any centres that were dedicated exclusively to dermatology. Possibly the kind of quality care offered here is not happening in the other place, so people are coming in here. Also Chennai is doing very well when it comes to medicine, any field of medicine for that matter.

What are the latest techniques and therapies available in the area of cosmetology?
Cryo-Surgery, Chemical Peels, Laser Skin surgery, Dermabrasion for acne and no-needle, non-invasive permanent hair removal systems are some of the latest techniques available. Also Botox is the latest skin rejuvenation technique, which we have introduced recently. Botox is the latest brand name for the purified form of tox in type A, which is produced by the bacteria, clostridium butulium.

What is the percentage of people who come to you for cosmetic purposes as against those who come for skin disorders?
More people are coming in for cosmetology today than in the past. I must say the awareness has really increased, particularly among professionals and office-goers.

You have an in-house research centre; do you also draw from traditional systems of medicine?
We do draw from traditional approaches. But the thing is we use plant extracts and herbal extracts which are further processed in the lab. So again that becomes part chemical. It is not possible to use purely herbal or natural ingredients in the medicines, anyone who claims so is not telling the truth. Unless you are taking the apple and rubbing it directly on the skin, do not believe people who say they are using natural ingredients.

What is the reason for the rise in incidences of allergy and sleep related disorders?
Our lifestyles have changed and therefore there is a lot of stress. Also, there is a very high level of pollution. And all this is resulting in hair fall, eczema etc. Even small children today are developing stress related skin conditions

Also it is seen that very young people are becoming susceptible to premature greying and aging as in the early appearance of wrinkles, what is the reason for that?
Premature greying yes…but not wrinkles. Most Indians have a fairly good skin. We tend to age slower than westerners. In spite of that if people are wrinkling fast it could be because of lack of adequate protection. Premature greying can be genetic or could be due to stress.

It is said that beauty parlours offer only quick fix solutions that hardly last 24 hours…your comments?
Many a times the beauty parlours are not qualified. Nothing like a dermatologist to handle your skin. In case of a complication are the beauty parlours equipped to handle them? What if there is an emergency? What will they do in such a situation? I would say, the solutions do not even last 24 hours. It is psychological…they pamper you, you feel good and since you have paid a hefty sum, you almost always end up feeling that it works. There are no quick fix solutions to begin with. You have a brow furrow and after a treatment session when you go out, you will still be frowning, because the best results take a minimum of six weeks. So all these things take time, depending on your skin and your general condition.

I have only one thing to tell these beauty parlours, do it in a professional way or else do not do it. If unqualified people handle peels and lasers the repercussions can be bad.

But are these treatments really affordable to the common man?
They are not meant for the common man. It is for people who want to look good. It is not cheap abroad and it is not possible to give these treatments cheap. The major portion of the cost goes into the technique used, the treatment and the consultation. And of course people now a days want an ambience. No body will come in if this were a small dingy place.

How effective are the cosmetics that are available over the counter?
The amount of chemicals used in the cosmetic is very…very negligible and therefore there are very few cosmetics that are really effective. They just have a placebo effect. But there are some good products available and if used correctly in the right age can be helpful.

How aware are people in Chennai about areas of skin and hair care?
The awareness is there because of the exposure to media. People do take care, many a time the wrong way. The problem is, the advertisements on the media do not really portray the real picture. The model who is shown as using the particular cosmetic product will sometimes be a teenager, who may not even have any skin problem to begin with. And a twelve year old, in most cases who does not even need to use these products might try them out, which can be harmful in the long run.