Skin Deep (An Inside Out Approach to Looking Good, Naturally!) by Aparna Santhanam is a must-buy for those who are keen on inner cleansing and nurturing, and would like to make that much needed transition from cosmetics to real fitness and beauty.
Dr. Santhanam is a dermatologist and a cosmetologist. She will have come across thousands of patients and visitors seeking to address some sort of skin ailment or the other. The need to appear presentable covers not just physique, but also skin conditions, and good looks have been an obsession of mankind for thousands of years, even in the most primitive of tribal societies.
While the ideals of beauty, vis-à-vis the body shape and weight are concerned, change from generation to generation, from partiality to the plump and cherubic, to drooling over the bone-thin anorexic, the bias governing good skin has remain unchanged. As the author explains, beautiful skin is denoted by smooth, unlined, taut appearance of the face and neck with even colour and tone and the all mysterious ‘glow’ factor. However, modern stress, the travails of the working woman, excessive and unprotected sun exposure, all contribute to an early loss of the inherent beauty of the skin. While cosmetics do enhance our looks, there is need for an effective solution to prevent aging, and to preserve youth and beauty. What we put as food into our mouth is more important than what we put as creams on our skins.
Matters could not get any simpler than this. Dr. Santhanam has put the book together in four sections. The first part addresses our skin and its characteristics; the second part deals with the various food groups available and their benefits, drawbacks, and their role in getting that mysterious glow. Part three is a list of skin rich foods that impact our looks, while part four dishes out some tried and tested recipes that can help us make that turn-around.
Those who think they already know enough and are proud of their low-fat diet and such, here’s something to chew on: Fats are required for brain structure, they provide the covering for nerves facilitating the carrying of impulses. So better buy this book. Remember, appearances count.
Skin Deep by Aparna Santhanam
Price Rs.199