interview of Dermatologist M.Aslam Shaikh

An interview of the Dermatologist, Dr M.Aslam Shaikh

By Shahrukh Khan, 2K13-MC-104, University of Sindh

 Un-edited
Dr.M.Aslam Shaikh, M.B.B.S D.D.V[VIENA] M.A.M.S, is a popular skin specialist. His clinic is located at Skin Care Clinic, Red Cresent Chamber, Hyderabad.

Q: Dermatology has an unavoidable important, tell us about it?

Ans: Well, the skin does tell a lot about what is going on internally, and you have to fix the inside first, in order to give the external results. Acne and all other common skin pathologies like psoriasis, ezcema, and skin cancers are caused by internal conditions.

Q: How do skin problems caused?

Ans: Skin problems are complex, like everything else, with genetic predispositions, nutrition factors, hormonal influences, medication side effects, stress factors, inflammatory pathology all playing a role. Gut health, or lack thereof, also plays a big role.

Q: How do you perform diagnosis?

Ans: First, I talk with my patients. I take an extensive history, and I examine everything! My intake process covers every aspect of their health, including family history, diet, exercise, hormones, gut issues. I pay very close attention to those last two. My initial consultations take 1 hour. I also do blood work and biopsies when necessary.

Q: Can we say that skin diseases are predecessor of inner body diseases?

Ans: Many of them are just that. Rosacea and redness, enlarged pores, acne including back and chest acne, folliculitis, dandruff, ingrown beard hairs, molluscum, persistent and/or significant psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, hair loss, lateral eyebrow loss, nail fungus/weakness, skin cancers, bags under eyes, skin tags, brown spots...in my experience, all of these have internal causes connected with inflammation, oxidative stress, fungal overgrowth, hormone imbalances, or metabolic problems.

The skin is just a window to what is going on inside. You will never cure the skin pathology unless you cure the internal cause. If you are using steroids to get rid of these skin conditions—and many doctors are-- you are not curing, you are just suppressing temporarily.

Q: What is the role of diet in skin pathology?

Ans: Well, I do believe that we are what we eat and, as you like to say, we cannot medicate patients out of what they’ve eaten and lifestyled their ways into! I give directions to my patient on how to eat for health and beauty.

Q: Does diet can solve all skin issues?

Ans: Before we get really into the diet, we need to concentrate on healing the gut, which is often really dysfunctional in people with skin disease. We know there’s a large, very important component of the immune system concentrated along the gut tract. So, healing the gut also overcomes immune system over-activity. I have seen severe acne and skin pathologies of every sort improve or resolve outright, just by curing gut inflammation! So by clearing up the gut, you resolve problems like gas, bloating and constipation, and you also clear up the skin!

There are many aspects to this—stomach HCl production, adequate digestive enzymes, having the right probiotic bugs in the gut, making sure the diet is rich in anti-inflammatory plant-based foods, minimizing refined carbs and pro-inflammatory fats.

Q: Today, people are more cautious to take sunbaths as it is the only natural source of Vitamin D. What’s your take on sun exposure and Vitamin D?

Ans: Use Sunblock, not sunscreen.  Sunscreens do not protect against inflammation or UV-induced DNA damage, they simply delay the response. Sunblock deflects UV rays completely, which is protective, but you have to reapply it every 2 hours to get maximal protection. I also recommend protecting the eyes and scalp. You don't want cataracts or a head full of skin cancer/melanoma. I like sunblocks that have Zinc, as there may very well be problems with Titanium. 

As to vitamin D3, supplements are inexpensive and readily available. So I recommend taking a lot, to keep blood levels in the high-normal range. But don’t try to get it by sun exposure. The truth is, even many of sunbathing patients have low Vitamin D3 because they are full of fungus, which is stealing it all.

Q: What are some of the skin care ingredients that people should try and avoid, and why?

Ans: I would avoid anything with a lot of preservatives. Why are preservatives in there in the first place? Because most skin products are made years before they’re sold. They’re essentially “dead” products that don’t go rancid only because of the preservatives, just like chemically preserved foods that are only “shelf-stable” and not completely useless because of preservatives.

Avoid parabens, as they are inflammatory and promote skin aging. Triethanolamine is another baddie; it is an estrogen mimetic in men and women.  Propylene glycol, which is very common, is inflammatory and promotes aging. Ureas, found in a lot of products, release formaldehyde and other toxins. Mineral oil clogs up pores, as does petrolatum, so avoid them. Try to stay away from sodium lauryl sulfate, which is hard because it is in so many things. But it damages cell membranes, destroys protein, triggers inflammation and promotes aging. There is a long list of bad-news ingredients, but these are for starters.

Q: What are some of your basic, everyday strategies for healthy skin?

Ans: Make sure you’re getting enough Vitamin D3, and from supplements, NOT from sun. Drink lots of chemical-free water. Eat healthy oils that contain Omega 3’s and 6’s. Use non-toxic soaps, shampoos, and personal care products. Remember, virtually everything you put on your skin absorbs into your skin and circulation.

The more antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in the diet, the better! Melatonin, iodine/iodide and magnesium are especially important. Avoid excessive sugar. Learn to cast off stress, develop your sense of humor, share love and friendship, open your mind, be compassionate and respectful of others.

Shahrukh Khan, 2K13-MC-104, 

 Second Semester 2015 
This practical work was carried out under supervision of Sir Sohail Sangi