9th Annual Doordarshan Hirkani Awards

Dr. Jamuna Pai receiving the 9th Annual Sunsilk 

Doordarshan Sahyadri Hirkani Award from Mr. Johnny Lever

Doordarshan Sahyadri hosted the 9th Annual Sunsilk Doordarshan Hirkani Awards function on the 5th of March at Ravindra Natya Mandir. 

A brainchild of Mr. Mukesh Sharma (DDG, Doordarshan) the Hirkani Award honors women for distinguished services ranging from various social causes to women empowerment.

This year Nine women were nominated by a jury to receive the Hirkani Award.

Dr. Jamuna Pai was one of the recipients of the award for her pioneering role in the field of cosmetology in India which is today one of the fastest growing sectors. Dr. Pai has been a skincare expert to the Miss India pageants for more than 15 years. Also through her clinics Blush, Dr. Pai has trained and empowered hundreds of women.

Among the distinguished guests present were Mr. Johnny Lever, Mr. Ajit Wadekar, Ms. Rohini Hattangdi, Mr. Ujjwal Nikam, Mr. Amin Sayani to name a few.

Other recipients of the Hirkani Award were: Neela Satyanarayan IAS (Maharashtra's first woman Election Commissioner), Sharada Sathe (first woman commission – Mahila Aayog, Maharastra), Neelima Mishra (in the field of rural micro credit in Maharastra), Grace Pinto (MD Ryan International Schools), Priti Patkar (founder member of Prerna), Indira Jaising (first additional solicitor general), Dr Devayani Borole (senior polar woman) and Prema Jayakumar (all India CA exam topper).

Love the skin you're in !!

Besides a flawless skin as a whole, the eyes and the mouth are two treatment sites that one can look at to enhance especially on the occasion of Valentine's Day. The eyes need to be big, bright, free of wrinkles, having smooth arched eyebrows and the mouth should be framed with fuller and more sensual lips and upturned corners giving a happy look.

The eyes can be opened up and the "crows' feet" or the wrinkles around the eyes can be erased with BOTOX, also younger girls can opt for only a brow lift. One can highlight the brow with dermal fillers, the under eye dark and sunken areas can be freshened up with dermal fillers. These are treatments that have no downtime and no side effects.

The mouth can look sensuous with full bodied lips and upturned corners. Both of these can be achieved with hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers. The lips being the focal point,"pouting" them a little makes all the difference to a girl's confidence. With the right technique and experience ,the swelling and bruising may be avoided or kept to a bare minimum and not visible.

The skin of course needs to be blemish free, lightened, tightened,textured and toned and at Blush Clinics our peels,lasers and exclusive range of MediFacials aim at doing exactly this!

So for this VALENTINE'S DAY, gift yourself a flawless & glowing skin with big beautiful fresh looking eyes and a pair of very sexy lips and feel on top of the world! 

Always wishing you Good Skin, Love & Happiness
Dr. Jamuna Pai

ICAD 2013 - Dr. Jamuna Pai

Dr. Pai - Keynote Speaker at the ICAD 2013, Thailand

The International Congress in Aesthetic Dermatology hosted it's 4th annual congress from the 24th-26th of Jan 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The ICAD brings together doctors from all around the world who are experts in the field of Aesthetic and Cosmetic Medicine.

Dr. Jamuna Pai was invited to chair sessions and be a keynote speaker on topics including Dermal Fillers, Botulinum Toxin and Acne.

Dr. Pai also conducted workshops demonstrating her skills in combining Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Fillers for lower face rejuvenation along with demonstrations on how lip fillers can enhance one's face and personality.

Dr. Pai conducting workshops on Botulinum Toxin and Dermal Fillers for Facial Enhancement at ICAD 2013, Thailand

Skin Tips for the Festive Season

With Christmas and New Year around the corner it is imperative you look your very best. Here are a few skin tips by Dr. Jamuna Pai that will get you through the festive season looking fresh and re-energized.

a)      Dark circles tend to get aggravated due to late nights and irregular eating habits. Try and sleep 7-8 hours and apply creams that contain vitamin C, kojic acid, tranexamic acid etc.

b)      Do not wax the hair on your face, chest or back especially if you know you are having hormonal imbalance. Whole body bleach if done with care may be a better idea. This will give you the comfort of looking ‘hair-free’ and the skin all over the body will glow and look smoother. 

c)      Get your facials and clean-ups done from reliable and renowned clinics.

d)      A very important aspect of skin care is proper make-up removal. Clogged pores caused by stale make-up can lead to oily skin and occasional break outs. Understandably, late nights may cause you to go to bed without removing your make-up once in a while. But it is extremely important to follow a strict cleansing routine on a regular basis. For the eyes, an oil- based eye make-up remover used on a cotton swab is the most effective and it is a fool proof way to ensure that there isn’t an unsightly residue left over the next morning. For the face, steer clear of using soap and use a cleanser instead.

e)      Limit intake of sweet and fried food as they cause dullness and even breakouts besides gaining that unwanted weight.

f)       Increased alcohol consumption during parties causes dehydration of skin leading to a tired and more aged skin. Make sure you consume at least 2-3 liters of water daily.

g)      If on a diet during this period, make sure you drink lots of vegetable juices to keep the skin nourished.
h)   Never forget to moisturise your skin in the day and use a nourishing night serum/cream at night before going to bed.

i)      Last but not the least, your regular exercise is the only sure way to keep not only your skin glowing, but you in a great shape too.

Hello, botoxed bride !

Hello, Botoxed Brides !!

Featured in Delhi Times - Dec 28 2011

Botox brides are trending and how. They are a new breed of multitasking individuals – qualified, mature, career-oriented, experienced, and, on the other side of 30. As the wedding day has always been the most important day for a bride and going all out to look her best is a given, the need to go under the scalpel to look so, is no longer a luxury, but a necessity almost, according to some dermatologists.

ON THE RISE

Dermatologist Dr Jamuna Pai says, “Women are getting married at an older age and the demand for botox has escalated, because they want to look perfect.” Dr Meenakshi Agrawal, dermatologist agrees that the ‘botox bride’ is the latest trend, “especially because women are focusing on career and development and are getting married post 30.” Cosmetologist Dr Jaishree Manchanda says, “Botox is one of the most popular treatments used during pre-wedding preparation. It gives a nice, firm look and also disables the overactive sweat glands.” Dr Rekha Gonsalves, who specializes in cosmetology, hair treatment and weight management explains, “Botox is a natural protein derived from bacteria clostridium botulinum. Its cosmetic effect relaxes wrinkles, frown lines between eyebrows, crow’s feet and horizontal forehead lines. Results vary and can last for up to eight months, creating a smoothed, rejuvenated and youthful skin for the bride.” But botox has many other uses apart from these. An embarrassing problem of excessive sweating in the underarm area or on the palms can be easily resolved with it. Dr Pai says that when taken around the eyebrow area, it is possible to gain a shapely pair or arched brows even. “A slender neck with no loose bands of flesh is also now a possibility with the Nefertiti Neck procedure using botox. Defined jaw lines with no excess facial fat, sensual lips and high cheek bones are all the rage today. The jaw can be contoured with botox and full cheek bones and a perfect pout can be created using fillers,” explains Dr Pai. THERE’S MORE...From botox to de-tanning to liposuction, brides have a variety of alternative treatments to choose from. Dr Pai says, “Botox is not the bride’s only option any longer. From the cheeks to the tips and the neck, there are multiple options. The new-age hyaluronic acid dermal filler is a magical invention that can change your face completely.

The material is absolutely safe and is found in the ground substance of our skin, eye chamber and in the joints.” She explains that since there is a negligible downtime, filler treatments are usually seen as a last minute procedure and can be taken just two to three weeks before the Dday. The perfect lips, high cheek bones, symmetrical chin can all be achieved relatively painlessly assure cosmetologists. Skin brightening and polishing by using chemical peels, dermabrasion and medi-facials are also very popular and can make a bride’s skin look fresh and young. “Skin tightening using the thermage is a great way to gain taut skin on the face and body,” says Dr Pai.

Stressful and demanding lifestyles tend to show up as fine lines and a disturbingly tired look on the would be bride’s faces. With the wide range of non-invasive cosmetic procedures easily available with dermatologists, ironing out facial wrinkles, plumping up the skin and taking a decade off, is easy. To maintain the perfect look, however, it is also important to pay attention to one’s diet. Dr Agarwal cautions, “A personalised diet plan and a specific skincare regime suggested by qualified doctors needs to be followed in order to maintain the effect.”

5 skincare mistakes you may be committing

Did you know that massaging your face in a circular motion could add visible years to your skin? It moves excess fluid around and stretches the skin, massaging in lines, making you look older. Sheetal Anand gets experts to help you identify and eliminate such mistakes from your carefully inculcated cleansing, toning, and moisturising routine to help you achieve maximum results

1. Cleansing is supposed to remove dirt and grime, nothing more
Normally in a regular salon, heavy cream cleansers are used, which eventually spoil the pH of the skin. One needs to be careful about the kind of cleanser being used. It should not be too strong as all it needs to do is cleanse your face of daily grime. Dr Narmada Matang, dermatologist, Kaya Skin Clinic, says, "One of the most common mistakes is washing the face too often as this robs the skin of its essential oils. Using strong fruit acids directly on the skin, like papain from papaya and citric acid from lemon or orange, are also a no-no, as it can lead to dryness, peeling, inflammation and pigmentation."

2. Get your skin massaged, not kneaded
Dr Jaishree Sharad, International Cosmetic Dermatologist, warns, "Improper face massage using inappropriate products, may lead to folliculitis or hair follicle infection. An outbreak of whiteheads, blackheads and pus pimples can also occur, as massage stimulates oil-secreting sebaceous glands." Inappropriate massaging leads to breaking of capillaries and veins, causing soreness or redness. Plus, the skin may feel uneasy, stretched and taut. Also, while steaming, one should prefer ozone to regular steam as it is not only anti-bacterial but also improves circulation.

3. It's not a floor scrub, it's a face scrub
Kaneeka Vijay Kumar, Director, Jeevaa Skin Care and K Kosmetix, says, "While scrubbing, if the strokes are rough or the scrub is not evenly granulated, the epidermis could develop tears leading to rash, brazing and pigmentation. Light aqueous based scrubs or exfoliators, which are not only gentle on the surface of the skin, but also maintain the pH of the skin, are recommended. "What one needs to remember is that scrubs should not be used more than once a week or applied with too much pressure. Remember, excess exfoliation causes sensitivity, rash and acne. This is especially true during a skin treatment.

4. There are no quick fixes for acne
Dr Jamuna Pai, Cosmetologist, Blush Clinics Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai identifies common mistakes that could lead to serious trouble. "Firstly, never resort to extraction and pinching of active acne. It can get aggravated and infected. Even in a beauty clinic, it has to be under strict guidance of a medical practitioner. Secondly, never try waxing to eliminate facial hair. You may have a sudden breakout of acne, which means big trouble. Third, do not use topical creams, with active ingredients, for quick-fix cures. These, when overused, excessively dry your skin and cause redness. Four, do not try remedies blindly just because they are on the net or in a magazine. Remember, everyone's skincare needs are different. What works for one may not work for the other."

5. Follow simple dos to keep your skin hydrated
Make moisturising your dictum. Ensure your skin is not under-hydrated by regular application of moisturiser and by consuming adequate fluids. This is especially important for those engaged in professions where workplace temperatures are constantly fluctuating. Also make sure you avoid very hot showers as this can lead to dehydration.

"Applying sunscreen should be your mandatory routine. Make sure you use it in sufficient quantity and reapply every 3 hours. Research indicates that regardless of the SPF, sunscreens can protect for no more than 3 hours. Also, keep in mind, that sunscreens protect your skin from harmful UV rays but do nothing to prevent tanning," adds Dr Jamuna.

Featured in : FEMINA

April 09, 2012

Online Link : http://beauty.femina.in/featured/5-skin-care-mistakes-you-may-be-committing/

AFTERNOON DC - THE BUSINESS OF BEAUTY

Dec 26, 2011

It’s a business that’s growing by leaps and bounds and is expected to record an annual growth rate of 50% over the next two years. For the established ones it’s certainly going to be boom time. One amongst these is Allergan, Inc. a multi-specialty health care companywhich is on the fore front and specialises in developing and commercialising innovative pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices and over-the-counter consumer products. Mayura Shanbaug caught up with R. Raghu Kumar, Managing Director of the company and leading Cosmetologist Dr. Jamuna Pai, and tried to decipher the factors that makes this business tick?

Beauty lies in the eyes of beholder… but with modernscience it lies in a syringe full of Botox, if you have the money. And with the growing sense of well-being and buying power, a large number of the population is opting for it. Earlier it came with the sense of vanity and pride. But with that emergence of science and the fast changing urban lifestyle, the earlier myths have been dispelled. The Wellness market in India was at USD 10 billion in 2010 with the target to reach USD 20 billion by 2013.

So what is Botox about? It is a prescription-only medical product that contains tiny amounts of highly purified ‘botulinum toxin protein’ refined from the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum says Raghu Kumar.

“Botox has a unique, protected molecular structure that stabilizes the core toxin in ‘BOTOX’ from degradation. When injected at FDA-approved and labeled doses into a specific muscle or gland, ‘BOTOX’ neurotoxin is expected to diffuse locally and produce a safe and effective result by producing a localized and temporary reduction in the overacting muscle or gland, usually lasting up to approximately three months depending on the individual patient…It is perfectly safe without any long term negative or side effects,” he assures.

. ‘Botox’ was first approved by the FDA 21 years ago for the treatment of strabismus and blepharospasm, two eye muscle disorders, making it the first botulinum toxin type A product approved in the world. Since its first approval, it has been recognised by regulatory authorities worldwide as an effective treatment for 21 different indications in approximately 80 countries, benefiting millions of patients worldwide.

“The cosmetic use of ‘Botox’ came much later, when in addition to its therapeutic uses, the same formulation of ‘Botox’ with dosing specific to moderate to severe glabellar lines were approved by the FDA in 2002 under the trade name ‘Botox’ Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA). ‘Botox’ Cosmetic is indicated for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines (frown lines between the eyebrows) associated with muscle activity in adult patients up to 65 years of age,” he mentions.

There was no looking back since then. With Allergen capturing 90% market share worldwide in the ‘Botox’ Cosmetic segment and approximately 29 million treatment sessions been performed over 11,000 patients in the past 20 years and the number growing.

“Everybody wants to look good and want to have the results quickly, but the irony of the situation is, inspite of its growing popularity, ‘Botox’ is still a taboo. People want to look good with the help of ‘Botox’, but do not want to reveal the secret behind it,” quips in Dr. Jamuna Pai, who is practicing cosmetologist since 1994 and has seen the number of patients grow by 40-50% year on year.

“The key is to get the procedure done correctly by qualified doctor, as wrong procedure can cause harm. However, there is no danger of systemic poisoning as it is just a protein and can be flushed out of your systems in due course,” she adds.

“There may be some pain and bruising for some time which goes away with time and in extreme case scenario there may be flu-like symptoms,” she explains.
Dr. Pai assures that the entire procedure does not take more than 10-15 minutes, which can be done in anybody’s lunch break without leaving tell-tell signs on ones face. The procedure can be performed from the age of 18 onwards till the age 75 -80, she adds.

“In fact, it is equally popular with male members of the society. 15-20% of my clients are males,” she tells with a wink.

As far as the price you have to pay for your everlasting beauty is (for four units of ‘Botox’) minimum Rs. 12, 000 every six months. A person requires at least 36-40 units for upper part of his face.

Raghu Kumar who is very optimistic about the advances made by research and development division of the company is confident of achieving the target in Indian market as well. “In the next 2-3 years ‘Botox’ treatment will be an everyday thing,” he says.