The quest for eternal beauty is a lifelong one, and it starts with having glowing skin and lustrous hair. You might not have all the answers to your questions about ageless skin and hair – but the best dermatologists do! Here’s what you need to ask:

#1 What is my skin type?

This seems like a question too simple to ask your dermatologist – but you would be surprised by the answer! Most people are unaware of their skin type, especially if they have dry to normal skin. The most commonly known skin types are oily, dry, normal and combination skin. This last, the combination skin, can be a mix between oily and dry, with varying proportions of both. Meanwhile, some people might have a dry or normal skin but an oily T-zone on the face. Your dermatologist is the best judge of your skin type – once you have this answer, you can try products and treatments that suit your skin type.

#2 How can I keep my skin hydrated?

The harsh and hot weather in Dubai, combined with airconditioned environs in most indoor places, combine to strip the essential moisture of your skin. Skin needs to be well hydrated so that it can repair and restore itself, and remove dead skin cells rapidly. However, you are unaware of how parched your skin is until you develop chalky, dry patches in cold weather. It is a myth that your skin needs hydration only in the winter months – it requires constant moisture all through the year to be supple and healthy. The best dermatologists in Dubai have found the balance between topical creams and a nourishing diet to keep your skin moist and elastic for years. Use a doctor-recommended moisturiser daily; you might have to switch between products as the weather fluctuates and to account for the skin’s changes during this time. Drink as much water as you can every day to lock in hydration.

#3 How can I keep acne and pimples away?

Your skin may have changed texture after you moved to Dubai. Several factors can cause this change: stress, change in temperature, humidity levels, an underlying medical condition, change in skin products or beauty regimen, use of antibiotics, constant use of air-conditioner at home and office, and so on. Your skin is now marked by acne and pimples, and these have begun to leave blemishes and scars. Consult with one of the best dermatologists in Dubai for this potentially problematic issue. Adult acne is often stubborn and can leave marks on the skin, and it must be dealt with swiftly and gently. The dermatologist can recommend the use of topical creams and a change in diet, or a procedure to resurface and remove the acne so that it does not occur again.

#4 How do I stop hair loss?

Scores of people living in Dubai complain of hair fall and thinning of hair, apart from other issues. Apart from the high heat and humidity, the high iron content in the city’s water can be blamed for the loss of your hair. If you are losing hair in clumps, and there is more hair on your pillow and shower drain every day, then you need to see a dermatologist in Dubai who can infuse new life into your stressed locks. Apart from recommending a suitable hair and scalp treatment to strengthen and nourish the roots and follicles, the doctor can recommend diet and lifestyle changes to save your hair from further damage. Also invest in a water filter system for the shower and kitchen area to soften the water and reduce the iron content in it prior to use.

#5 Should I use any creams or serums before bed?

This is a debatable question, and one that only your dermatologist can answer. While one school of thought insists that the skin and hair should be left as they are when you sleep so that they may ‘breathe’, another school of thought believes that the skin is best suited for treatment when you are sleeping. Your doctor can tell you whether to apply any skin or hair cream or serum before sleeping, after studying your skin and hair. Was this article helpful? Tell us in the comments section below.