Noor Anand Chawla

Join HELLO! as we speak to health and wellness experts to find out which recent wellness trends really work…

Sleep Vacations

Can’t sleep? Take a vacation! As useful as this age-old wisdom is, a sleep vacation relies on high-level technology and treatments to improve the quality of one’s sleep. One can avail of personalised consultations to determine both physical and mental health issues; private yoga, yoga nidra, pranayama and meditation sessions; wear advanced sleep tracking devices; and enjoy the use of various sleep improvement amenities. “A simple wellness programme won’t address the problem,” says Dr Jitendra Varshney, the wellness director at Six Senses Vana. “It’s about healing the problem so that it doesn’t recur. This can be done by understanding the root cause, inculcating the importance of long-term treatment aimed at improving one’s lifestyle to support and nourish the nervous system.”

Stem-Cells Anti-Ageing

An anti-ageing treatment that puts even Cleopatra’s remedies to shame: stem cell therapy! Stem cells have the ability to differentiate between various cell types, targeting the exact ones that need tissue regeneration and repair. Hence, they could potentially slow down or reverse signs of ageing. This is a recent development, fuelled by a growing demand for non-surgical rejuvenation methods. While endorsing the trend, Bengaluru-based celebrity dermatologist and founder of Kosmoderma and SkinQ, Dr Chytra Anand, cautions that it should be used only in certain situations. “These are most effective when traditional treatments have shown no results or where patients are particular about avoiding invasive methods of anti-ageing. This therapy is usually recommended on a case-by-case basis, often as part of clinical trials or in specialised clinics.”

Baby Botox

No, baby botox isn’t about achieving baby-like skin overnight. Instead, it refers to injecting miniscule amounts of botox into targeted areas of the skin, so the particular facial muscle remains relaxed, and patients can still express themselves without taking on the ‘frozen’ look that has given traditional botox a bad name. “This treatment is particularly effective in those trying botox for the first time as well as those with early signs of ageing,” explains Dr Ishan Sardesai, facial cosmetic surgeon and founder of The Face Centre in New Delhi. He explains, “It shows good results which can last for about three-four months. Baby botox is particularly effective in the upper part of the face for forehead lines, frown lines and crow’s feet.”

Burnout Breaks

If the pandemic can be credited with anything, it’s for initiating the conversation around professional burnout. It prompted a change in the narrative, with professionals promoting simple exercises to keep burnout at bay. One such exercise is taking multiple micro-breaks as opposed to regular longer breaks that one would take for meals. Archana Singhal, counselling psychologist and founder of Mindwell Counsel, recommends taking three-minute breaks every 30 to 60 minutes or a five-to-ten-minute break every 90 minutes. She says, “Studies have indicated that shorter breaks might be just as beneficial in controlling our stress levels as longer ones. Instead of rushing through our work, these little pauses could assist us in taking care of any urgent emotional, mental or bodily demands.”

Exosome Therapy

The latest buzzword in the wellness segment, exosomes are tiny vesicles released by cells that carry molecules known for their ability to send signals, such as proteins and RNA. They influence cell behaviour and promote healing and rejuvenation. The interest in exosomes as a therapeutic tool emerged as studies revealed their role in cell-to-cell communication and their potential in regenerative processes. Dr Chytra Anand shares, “Today they are being applied for hair loss therapies, removal of scars, skin collagenesis, as well as full body cell regeneration to aid with skin regeneration after treatments that use lasers, derma rollers or micro needling.” However, considering how nascent the treatment is, she recommends using it only in specific cases and by referring to doctors who have the specialised knowledge.

This story has been adapted for the website from a story that was originally published in Hello! India’s April 2024 issue. Get your hands on the latest issue right here!