More than skin deep

"Beauty comes from within rather than as an external condition. For the external fades, but the beauty of life… gives the beauty that fades not,” wrote Edgar Cayce.

Dr Dinyar Workingboxwalla: aesthetic aids

It is said that no reading is neutral reading. The same holds true for Dr Dinyar Workingboxwalla’s book, Beauty Unleashed — A comprehensive guide to the perfect skin and hair. The thing that strikes one the moment one opens it is the vast number of testimonials from eminent film personalities. They all swear that Workingboxwalla and his products have worked wonders for their skin and hair. One is immediately sold, and expects miracles from this skin aesthetician with over three decades of experience. However, the first thing he does is bust this myth by declaring: "You can’t skim through this book and pick up one or two secrets and succeed. You have to follow a complete plan. Make it a way of life.”
People, he says, are "obsessed with their skin” and spend more on skincare products "in a day than on average meals.” Everyone wants to look their best and many of us opt for ‘reputed’ products recommended by friends without actually knowing whether it suits our skin or not. Workingboxwalla says knowing what kind of skin and hair you have (dry, oily) is the first and most important step towards looking good.
The book is divided into 14 chapters, each dedicated to a particular aspect of skin or hair. Workingboxwalla begins most chapters by explaining the function of a particular gland or organ in the body. He does not directly jump to how one should take care of it, like so many other writers of self-help books in the market today.
In his first chapter, "Skin Facts,” Workingboxwalla places great emphasis on a well-balanced diet that includes 10 to 12 glasses of water a day (some medical practitioners caution against drinking an excessive amount of liquid — editors). He blames "stress overload” and a hectic lifestyle for poor skin, and advocates regular exercise and cutting down on alcohol and cigarettes as key factors to a healthy, youthful skin.
After giving detailed facts, Workingboxwalla tells us how to maintain the skin in the next chapter, "Taking Care of your Skin.” He says we must "learn to listen to our own body,” as it is the best indicator. He talks about cleansing, toning and moisturizing, what kind of make-up products to apply, and a concept called the "dry brush bath.” This chapter has a section called "Great debates,” where the doctor busts many myths, such as whether foundation comes first or concealer, and whether cleansing is more important or moisturizing.
The next two chapters, "Skin Problems and How to Deal with Them” and "Those Fabulous Facials!” are a continuation of the second, where he talks about how to deal with acne, puffy eyes and blackheads and the importance of a good facial. He lists myriad facial treatments (magnetic lift, hydra-dermotherapy, oxygen facial), depending on budget and skin damage and dissuades us from only buying products that have "beautiful packaging and scientific-sounding ingredients.”
Everyone loves a good, soothing massage, and in the chapter "Benefits of a Massage and Techniques,” Workingboxwalla shows us how we can get those ourselves, even at home. What is interesting is that this chapter has neatly labelled diagrams with pressure points to guide one on how to massage one’s face correctly and effectively.
Chapter six, "Vitamins: The Body’s Spark Plugs,” talks about the vitamins in the body, their functions and symptoms of deficiency. A few pages later, he talks about which vitamins are present in foods. However, it would have been easier for readers had a particular vitamin been mentioned along with its source and functions, rather than having to turn back and forth. The reader also gets an information overload, and is unable to grasp all the technical and scientific material presented.
Chapter seven will probably be most read, as many readers will be attracted to its title "Look Younger Longer!” Workingboxwalla talks about the ageing process and gives a comprehensive section on the various stages of the process. While he refutes the myth that ageing can be reversed, he says the "biological clock can be slowed down.” He recommends certain exercises for ageing hands, necks and eyes and outlines ingredients to look for in an anti-ageing cream, warning that "just because a product is more expensive doesn’t mean it is more effective.” He also insists on using good sunscreen, even in winter.
If we want the eyes to look less puffy and reduce dark circles, we must stop smoking, limit salt intake and shield our eyes, among other things, he recommends, in "The Eyes Have It,” the shortest chapter in the book.
Having finished dealing with skin, Workingboxwalla now turns to hair care. The chapter "Crowning Glory” starts with a description of hair structure, the types of follicles that determine whether one has straight, curly or thick hair and the reasons for hair loss (stress, medication, incorrect diet). He then lists foods that are good for hair (lean meat, vitamins) and talks about correct hair care routines, such as head massages and hair spa treatments.
The chapter "FAQs” is perhaps the most handy and practical. Incorporating a frequently-asked question section is a smart move, as most people relate better to others’ queries than to pages with reams of information. There are a variety of questions, starting from the most basic ("How do I combat dark circles?”) to the most complex ("Please define the term dermaceuticals.”) It is good that Workingboxwalla devotes almost 30 pages to this chapter, as many are troubled with the same queries.
In the chapter "Beauty and Wellness Tips,” the aesthetician gives small nuggets of wisdom to help take care of the toes, make-up, hair, skin and lips. "Breakthroughs in Skincare Products” educates readers on concepts that one often hears about, but does not fully understand (SPF, UV rays and AHA).
For those sceptical about the toxic ingredients in lotions and creams, "Natural Treatments for Face, Hair and Hands” and "Buyer Beware!” are a must read. The author suggests natural, household products to help revitalize skin and hair (lemon face pack, clay tonic mask, honey cream hand wash, etc) and instructs on which chemicals to avoid (methyl, propyl, coal tar, etc).
The concluding part of the book lists a few products that he trusts, but the reader would have been able to associate better had the names of the products been mentioned in the respective sections. A few pictures (other than the black and white ones dealing with massage) would have helped break the monotony of such a text-heavy book.
What makes this book different from other beauty and skincare books in the market, however, is that it is not prescriptive, but descriptive. You may not remember everything you read once you put the book down but it is a handy guide to refer to when a particular skin or hair problem comes back to trouble you.