Skin clear

Rashmi Shetty had finished her medical studies and was training to be a plastic surgeon when life took a new turn. “I got married and moved to Mumbai from Bangalore. I didn’t find suitable postings and so I looked for ways to make people look beautiful.” That’s how the Mumbai-based expert in non-surgical aesthetic medicine started off on a path that has led her to where she is now.

Dr. Rashmi recently launched her first book Age Erase. “I was travelling a lot to give technical lectures and was invited as a speaker to various events. I got a lot of questions on skincare and hair issues and realised that though there was a wealth of information online no one knew what to trust or what really works. I hence decided to create a credible source on skincare for laymen,” she says.

Age Erase is meant to be a ready reckoner for those just starting a proper skin and hair care regimen and also clarifies doubts for those already following their own. It also gives an idea of the right questions to ask a doctor if you choose to go to one.

It took 10 months for Rashmi to complete the book. It includes chapters on skin stressors, and hormones and skin, right down to the basics of how to identify your skin type. It also includes tips on how to age gracefully and how to read beauty product labels like a pro.

“What’s inside reflects on the outside, so while consulting with a client, I take into account their lifestyle, their specific problems and even genetic factors that might come into play. Then I talk about what is really required and ask them what they want and what their concern is, aesthetically. Something that I would consider a problem area might not bother them at all, so it’s important to be clear about it,” she says.

Ask her what she thinks about Botox and she says, “I’m thinking, why not? It’s just a small procedure; we do so many procedures to fix our other organs so why not one to look better? It has full scientific proof.” She only advises that it be treated as a proper medical procedure and that it should be done by a qualified professional. She adds that one should not pick the treatment based on the price.

On her own skincare routine, Rashmi says she keeps it simple. “I could live on a really good facewash,” she laughs, adding that she changes it according to the season and where she travels. She also never steps out without a sunscreen and doesn’t go to bed without a moisturiser or night cream. Lip balm is a constant.

“A beauty routine can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be,” she adds. Although Rashmi says it’s tiring to write, she is ready with the subject of her next book: one aimed at teenagers. “I have a lot of them coming in to get their features corrected. They are confused and aren’t sure what they want. They must be told that their face and features keep changing till they are 18. They must make sure that they are aware of all that can go wrong. Corrective work can be saved for later if it’s purely aesthetic,” she says.