Beauty forecast 2014

Every year a number of different beauty treatments gain prominence and this year will be no different. After Hrs spoke to a few experts across fields to ask them what to look forward to in 2014.

SKIN CARE
Dr Shefali Trasi-Nerurkar, MD Dermatology, Trasi’s Clinic says non-surgical and painless skin contouring machines will become popular this year. “Similar treatments were available in the past but weren’t very effective. Today with the combined use of radio frequency and ultrasound (high frequency ultrasound) technologies, skin can be tightened without surgery,” she says, adding that the vampire facial which was popular last year will continue to be in demand. “In this era of stem cell therapy, new facials are emerging in the market to make the skin look beautiful naturally. Vampire facials where blood is taken from the patient, processed and cells rich in growth factors are derived and applied on the face with the help of needles will be popular too.”

COSMETIC SURGERIES
There has been a significant increase  in people coming for face and brow lift. Even younger people with very flat brows want to give them an arched look, says Dr Mohan Thomas, senior cosmetic surgeon, Cosmetic Surgery Institute & Breach Candy Hospital. “The emphasis this year would be on skin tightening procedures. With the advent of minimally invasive radio frequency techniques, the greatest scorn of the middle age namely having loose skin on thighs and droopy faces can be addressed in a minimalistic way without any scars. Done as single day procedures with minimal down time, these have reduced years on the face, abdomen, thighs and buttocks,” he says. It’s important, however to do your research before getting into uncharted territory. Meet a good cosmetic surgeon, one who you have faith in and discuss about the newer technologies before subscribing for them. Genital surgery is slowly making inroads as well. Indian faces usually have short chins as a result they have a round face. With the presence of simple procedures to improve the jawline available, more people are getting chin surgery. 

HAIR CARE
Hairstyles for the coming year would be very easy-to-go styles that just need wash and wear, says Deepti Samtani, senior stylist and educator, Nalini of Nalini and Yasmin Salon. “The solid fringe will be a rage. In terms of hair colour, placement would do well that would accentuate the haircut, basically colour at the bottom which wouldn’t start from the top not needing touch-ups too often and also can be changed frequently. For hair treatments, people with very frizzy hair could do the Cysteine treatment which is a blow drying aid that would help in reducing the frizz or else mild relaxing. Those with curly hair should just wear it au naturale with the help of products.”

ANTI-AGEING  TECHNIQUES          
Dr Viral Desai, aesthetic and cosmetic plastic, laser, reconstructive surgeon, DHI India & CPLSS, says in 2014 vaginoplasty is gaining recognition as a desirable procedure. “I also expect hair transplant and liposuction to continue to do very well in India, followed by breast implants, tummy tuck and breast reduction. Hair transplants, popular especially in men, involves relocation of hair follicles from the abundant areas of the scalp to the areas where hair loss is most apparent. The tummy tuck involves tightening of the abdominal muscles to firm up the abdominal wall, giving a more contoured appearance to the stomach area. Increasingly, I am asked by my patients to help them look younger through anti-ageing treatments. There are newer advances in cosmetic surgery to meet this growing desire. Anti-ageing, I feel, is likely to be an area of emphasis in 2014.”