At the ELLE Beauty Weekender presented by Tata CLiQ we are celebrating all things beauty and wellness with skin expert Dr Harshna Bijlani. After returning from the UK in 2008, Dr Harshna set up The Ageless Clinic with the purpose of introducing the latest international aesthetic treatments from the West to Mumbai. With formal training from the prestigious Harley Street, she has built an enviable client list. Ahead of her participation at the three-day virtual event, find out her answers to our quick rapid fire.
ELLE: A beauty advice you would give to your 16-year-old self?
Dr Harshna Bijlani: (DHB): Treat, don’t conceal! Many young women use makeup to cover up and conceal their skin or imperfections than work on improving it. Spend less money on buying makeup to conceal acne and scars. Instead, go to a skin doctor and permanently treat it.
ELLE: A skincare myth that you hear a lot but is not true?
DHB: Chemical peels and skincare acids will cause more harm than good. In most cases, the risks with peels are minimum and include mild irritation, redness, and peeling. The benefits vary based on the type of peel. The benefits of peels include improved appearance of your skin, reduced wrinkles, acne scars, pigmentation, dullness, and overall healthy-looking radiant skin. So, don’t knock it until you try it and it’s good to consult your doctor before you do.
ELLE: What was the last beauty treatment you had?
DHB: It would be the AgeLess PRF Face Treatment. This is the improved version of the famous Vampire Facial. For this treatment, we use fibrin from your own blood and infuse it back into your skin for brighter, younger and glowing skin. This is my go-to treatment for days when my skin is feeling dull and needs a pick-me-up because it makes it look so good and works on so many concerns simultaneously.
ELLE: What’s your evening ritual?
DHB: For my skin, I unwind in two parts. As soon as I come home, I shower, double cleanse with some micellar water followed by the Shangpree S-energy Cleansing Gel®️ to get rid of all the makeup and pollution of the day. After that I spend some time unwinding with my children, eating dinner, and reading something calming. I avoid screens post 9 pm.
Right before bed, I start my bedtime skincare routine. I start with my Ultra V Idebenone Ampoule which is the strongest antioxidant money can buy, it’s 4x Stronger than Vitamin C. I follow that up with Crystal Tomato®️ Skin Clarity Cream which has amazing brightening and anti-ageing ingredients like kojic and salicylic acid, arbutin, retinoids and more.
About 2-3 times a week I use a prescription-grade tretinoin cream which is proven to help with collagen-boosting and is a super anti-ageing ingredient. Twice a week I exfoliate with Shangpree®️ Fresh Peeling Mask. It uses mild skincare acids to exfoliate your skin, rather than beads or granules that are often too abrasive for your skin.
ELLE: Your favourite beauty product?
DHB: I swear by the Beyond Sun Protection Sunscreen by Crystal Tomato that offers the highest HEV / blue light protection and the Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume Body Cream.
Watch Dr. Harshna Bijlani’s entire session at ELLE Beauty Weekender 2021 presented by Tata CLiQ here:
Get ready for a weekend filled with all things beauty and wellness at ELLE Beauty Weekender 2021 presented by Tata CLiQ. From fun masterclasses to insightful conversations, save the date to celebrate three days of beauty, makeup, skincare, wellness, homegrown and international brands, and much more. Head to the new beauty destination, TATA CLiQ, to stock up on beauty essentials now!
