Consultant Dermatologist and Aesthetic Medicine at Ain Shams University, Dr. Rania Ahmed, has achieved unprecedented success throughout her career in Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine, building a strong reputation based on over 20 years of experience in her field.
We were lucky enough at the Top 50 Women Forum to interview the renowned doctor. We started our interview with a brief introduction to her and her life achievements in dermatology and aesthetic medicine before we dove into detailed questions about skin and hair issues for women over the age of 40, which she generously answered, along with sharing her tips and tricks to maintain a healthy complexion.
Dr. Ahmed’s journey in dermatology began with her graduation from the Faculty of Medicine at Ain Shams University in 2001. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Dermatology, Andrology, and Venereology at the same institution. Her skills and expertise are further validated by her certification from the National Institute of Laser-Cairo University for all laser applications and safety in Dermatology.
What steps should we follow to maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin? And how can we delay signs of aging?
I always stress three basic but necessary nonetheless steps that make all the difference in your skin. A simple skincare routine would do; it doesn’t have to be complex, but at least use sunblock every morning, apply night cream every night, and drink plenty of water (3 liters minimum); that is the easiest and simplest way any girl or lady can do to keep their skin and hair fresh and healthy and maintain a youthful appearance.
Choosing the right night cream is crucial, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Consider your age, skin type, and specific skin issues. For instance, if you’re prone to pigmentation, a cream with melatonin could be beneficial. If acne is a concern, opt for a product that helps control skin oils. This personalized approach can make a significant difference in your skincare routine.
As for sunblock, women and even young girls must use it frequently, whether in summer or winter. With help from your doctor, make sure to pick one that fits your skin type.
What are the latest trends in skincare and laser treatment?
I always get this question, and I personally believe that not every new trend is necessarily valid. Let’s replace this with “The best treatments nowadays” instead!
Radiofrequency is super trendy now and exceptionally practical. It rejuvenates the skin and boosts collagen and elastin production, making it appear young and firm.
Skin boosters are also proving to be very effective, with a wide range of types that are suitable for many cases. Additionally, laser treatments have long been scientifically verified as successful in rejuvenation, scar treatment, and acne scar pigmentation.
Moreover, there are new generations of fillers that contain biostimulators that work on improving collagen and elastin in your skin.
Why are there so many misconceptions regarding Botox and fillers?
It’s the overdoing, for sure! That’s what caused this wild misconception about filler and Botox. When you go too far, it almost always backfires. You have to know when to stop.
Just yesterday, I had two women who were too afraid to even discuss any aesthetic procedures, only because their friends had overdone it with the plastic surgeries, which, of course, made them look fake and old, and that, of course, freaked them out and made them swear off cosmetology.
However, fillers and Botox are highly effective and game-changing and not at all harmful as long as you use the correct dose and follow your doctor’s advice. They definitely lessen aging signs and are especially beneficial to those who have overacting muscles like “11s”, as this muscle tends to dig and spoil the skin and eventually turn from “dynamic wrinkles” that show only when you frown to “static wrinkles” that remain visible at all times even when you have a resting face. As doctors, we struggle to treat static wrinkles; it’s much more challenging and takes more time, and unfortunately, we have to turn to laser treatment to repair the skin that has died.
Botox and fillers can only be harmful if you overdo it or if you go to someone who is not specialized and injects low-quality materials that might cause allergies or excessive skin damage; only in these 2 cases are they ever harmful. That’s why I always advise anyone who decides to do these procedures to consult their doctor and make sure they use high-end types that contain the right materials suitable and beneficial to their skin.
What are the best ways to avoid or lessen the appearance of dark circles?
This is an excellent and complex topic. The causes are diverse, and our approach to treatment is tailored accordingly. Dark circles are basically one of the most challenging issues to treat, yet the results can be incredibly rewarding.
For example, some people have grooves that cause darkness around the eye, kind of like a hole in the sand; sand is all one color, but holes appear darker, so this groove must be treated with fillers to eliminate the darkness as much as possible in the tear trough area.
Another reason is dilated blood vessels around the eyes, which are very visible; of course, this must be treated with laser. You could also be suffering from bad-quality skin, whether dark, very thin, or wrinkled and weak. In this case, we need to work on the skin itself; here comes the excellent use of creams, healthy diets, and good sleep to help the skin improve gradually until we reach a satisfying result.
If the patient has puffiness or eyebags, which are the pockets under the eyes that are treated with surgery. In that case, the cyst is removed by surgery to get the most effective and noticeable result.
A lot of people ask about whitening creams, and they are only effective in some cases, including the low-quality and thin skin we talked about. However, they are nonetheless important in improving the quality of the skin, even with other operations.
Improving your skin health can also involve lifestyle changes. Consider incorporating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet, aiming for at least 3 liters of water daily. It’s also beneficial to reduce your consumption of tea, coffee, and cigarettes and, more importantly, maintain a regular sleep schedule.
Many women around the age of 45 start experiencing severe hair loss…why does this happen and how do we stop it?
Like dark circles, hair loss has many causes, and we can only best treat and control its occurrence when we figure out the main cause.
Contrary to popular belief, hair loss is not exclusively tied to aging. For instance, genetic hair loss can manifest at any age. Additionally, hair thinning, often associated with old age, is a result of hormonal changes.
Stress can also contribute to hair loss, sometimes leading to a condition known as “Telogen effluvium.” This condition has distinct patterns that can be easily identified through a simple tracheoscopy inspection.
The Trichoscope has a lens that we look closely through to determine the cause of hair loss. Once we know the cause, treatment is easy.
However, the idea that certain vitamins strengthen the hair and that the ampoules with these oils are helpful and prevent hair loss are all rumors and untrue. Hereditary hair loss cannot be treated with vitamins alone, even if we consumed them for 20 years.
Women can help reduce this problem side by side with treatment that includes several steps, like washing their hair with Sulfate-free shampoo to preserve the natural creatine that God created. Also, while washing the hair, we should only scrub the scalp and avoid rubbing the hair itself, as this might actually cause breakage.
How do our diets affect our skin and hair?
I can’t stress enough how drinking a lot of water, taking vitamins, eating healthy food, and following a simple skincare routine will positively affect your skin and make it look much healthier and glowing.
When it comes to your hair, a consistent haircare routine can work wonders. By using a good conditioner and incorporating weekly ampoules, you can significantly improve the strength and health of your hair. It’s a simple yet effective way to give your hair the care it deserves.
Our diets affect our growth and health, including our body, skin, and hair. If we eat right and drink in appropriate quantities, our skin and hair will, of course, remain healthy and youthful.
For example, Vegetables, fruits, and protein are crucial to improving skin and hair, unlike white sugar, which is the main enemy of the body, including your skin and hair.
Yasmine Sabri wasn’t lying when she said to drink a lot of water and sleep well because it’s true and makes a big difference in our skin and hair.
As for dairy products, their harm sometimes outweighs their benefits to the skin, especially for people with Acne-prone skin.
The latest research from the American Academy revealed that the fats in dairy products are directly linked to acne appearance. Therefore, I advise all girls suffering from acne to reduce their intake of dairy products with a lot of fat, especially cheese, because this is a vital part of the treatment and gives better results.
This advice is not for a specific age because some older women have oily skin and suffer from acne, blackheads, and whiteheads. So, it is better to reduce the dairy fat found in cheese, white sauce, and creamer. You do not have to eliminate milk completely, but a cup of skimmed milk daily is sufficient for calcium intake unless a doctor advises otherwise.
What are the most effective skin boosters, and at what age should we consider them an option?
It depends on the condition of the skin. I always get asked when we should start fillers or Botox or skin boosters, and the truth is there’s no simple answer to that because each case is individual, and there is no specific age to start; it all depends on the condition of your skin. There are women over 50 with healthy skin who don’t need skin boosters or have a condition, such as melasma, that skin boosters can’t solve.
Skin boosters, in general, are truly beneficial for the skin, very effective, and currently trendy, but of course, like everything else, there are different brands and types; some are good, and some are certainly harmful.
In my opinion, the best skin boosters are those that contain hyaluronic acid, amino acids, and biostimulators, among other components that boost skin collagen and elastin, such as RRS and Profhilo. However, you must refer to the doctor because the doctor is more experienced and has a vision of what will be useful for your condition.
Is there a simple daily skincare routine for all skin types, or is it just a myth?
That is definitely a Myth. Of course, all women must have a daily routine because this is very important for all skin types. We all have to apply sunblock in the morning, whether in summer or winter, and use day and night cream, but the types, of course, vary. The bottom line is that there is no such thing as one product fits all.
Some women might need to use “photo-aging/ anti-aging” sunblock that helps hydrate the skin and hide signs of aging; others who have oily skin should switch to “dry touch” sunblock because their skin is already too oily and acne-prone so it’s not wise to add something that contains more oils, and then there is sensitive skin that requires a sunblock made out of natural materials that are light on the skin, nothing with chemicals because it will cause an allergic reaction.
Women professionals have to endure high levels of stress and long hours of exposure to screens. Does this negatively affect their skin and make them more prone to show signs of aging?
Naturally, stress affects the skin negatively, so the more you control it or try to reduce it, the better. I know this is no easy task, but the psychological factor remains crucial in the health of our skin and hair.
We can change our lifestyle and include activities that reduce stress, like sports, which remarkably improve our mood and blood circulation and reduce the signs of aging; meditation also makes a big difference because you take time to unwind and take a break from overthinking.
People who constantly work in front of a screen should minimize their exposure to screens as much as possible in their daily lives and use sunblock because overexposure to screens is just as bad as overexposure to the sun.
Another thing people don’t realize is that when you sit and scroll on your phone for too long, you accelerate the appearance of necklines. So, instead of starting to show at 50, we find girls at 20 with plunging necklines, not to mention vertebral/joint problems.
Written by Nada El-Margoushy
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Dr. Rania currently works as a dermatology and aesthetic medicine consultant at Ain Shams University’s student hospital.
She specializes in various cosmetic and laser techniques.
Her patients describe her as a caring doctor who prioritizes their needs, strives for perfection, and treats them like her best friends.
