Skin-lightening procedure went horribly wrong

Oct 28, 2009 Fashion & Bridal Wear

After her much-publicised engagement, Shilpa Shetty is now in the news for another reason. Gauri Khan, a client of the newly-opened spa Iosis, in which Shilpa is a business partner, has alleged that Iosis messed up on her 14 session glow and pigmentation treatment—and now her face is completely disfigured because of it. In a contrast to the before and after affect, there are two pictures in the front page of Mumbai Mirror today; Gauri who looked flawlessly beautiful before the treatment and the after-affect of the treatment: Gauri who now looks 20 years older, with severe scars and marks all over her face.

None of us know why things went horriby wrong for Gauri Khan. We spoke to some senior estheticians who opined that what Gauri is experiencing is a temporary reaction to the strong peels which make one’s skin hyper-sensitive. Says Nalini Kalra of the Christine Valmy School of Esthetics, one of the best schools in the field of skin: “Gauri Khan’s skin should be back to normal soon. My advice for those who are considering chemical peels or other strong skin treatments: make sure you visit a clinic whose forte is cosmetic dermatology and never go for such a treatment a few days or weeks before your wedding. Every skin is different and each skin responds differently to strong treatments.”

We are also appalled by the defensive reaction of Kiran Bawa, the co-owner of Iosis: Statements like “Why would I cheat someone only to get Rs 38,000” or “This is the class and culture of these people”. Her explanation is that this treatment didn’t work because Gauri exposed herself to sun, which they had specifically warned her about and that she didn’t follow the treatment as per the specified schedule. Ms Bawa, we all know you’re a smart businesswoman who runs varied businesses to make money and more of it; it is perfectly okay to be ambitious and focus on making money, but don’t judge people ‘poorer’ than you by talking about their class and culture. After all it is this class of people who run your business and many people ‘poorer’ than you aspire to be your clients, so they can look as beautiful as your business partner Shilpa Shetty one day.

Tags: Shilpa Shetty, skin-lightening, Spa