As the youth gets more conscious about their looks with each passing day,they fall prey to cosmetic products that promise eternal beautyBeauty is not in the face. Beauty is a light in the heart-KAHlil Gibran However,this saying is in contrast with the view of the contemporary women who feel the saying by Peter Almanac-True beauty comes from within from within bottles,jars,compacts,and tubes,stands true in the modern day world. And the recent times hold witness to how looks have become much important. The reasons are many; one could be- women stepping out of the houses unlike the women in earlier days. Another reason could also be the recession-proof fashion industry. The markets have flourished in abundance with beauty products that promise fast and quick results to beauty problems and most often,women fall prey to such deceptions. Commenting on the side effects of excessive use of beauty products,Dr Shirin Poonawala,dermatologist at KEM hospital says,"Using various hair products is the origin of problems such as pimples and boils. Ladies from the age group of 16-35 years are more prone to skin problem. College going girls regularly use different beauty products and make their skin problematic. Young girls even use electronic machines on hair quite often resulting in skin damage. Pollution of course is another major source of problems these days." While some are aware of the side effects of beauty products,there are a few who learn from experience. Sakina Khan who works as an accountant with a private bank says,"I get pimples and boils very frequently because my skin is oily. Previously I would apply the cosmetics available in the market. There was no specific reason for using them except for the fact that the advertisements were very alluring. Now however,I use home made medicines like neem paste and am quite satisfied with it." Farida Pathanwala,student,says,I use a cleanser and a toner daily that is effective and gives fruitful results and the medicines recommended by dermatologists are effective only till the time they are used. And the problem persists till date. I get pimples due to stress and I feel that the remedy lies in healthy lifestyle and not those cosmetics that flood the market. One should consult a doctor before even using them." The problems differ from person to person and the cures vary too. Other than family pressures,studies and pollution,hormonal changes play major role in being the reason behind skin problems,especially in women. Shreya Shetty,student says," I have a problem of hormonal changes and I am more happy with the treatment given by the dermatologist than the usage of products in the market that claim to be the remedy on problems like mine" Parimal Joshi,homeopath considers lifestyle to be a cause for hair and skin problems as well. He says,"Late nights,irregularities in diet,changing lifestyle and pressure are the chief causes for these problems. Use of synthetic colours on hair and chemical experiments on hair are hazardous as well. Going by the trend does not only cost a handsome amount,but it also damages the hair. Though the common reasons are genetic or hereditary,maintaining healthy skin and hair is one's own responsibility.
