BENGALURU: Vanity is no more the requisite of movie stars and fashion models who do not hesitate from taking a good helping of ‘aesthetics’ at cosmetology clinics. Interestingly, the new entrants making a beeline now are sports players. Professional sportspersons like marathoners, swimmers, body builders and tennis players in Bengaluru are undergoing cosmetic treatments to keep up with the times.
Aesthetics and convenience are reasons cited for the growing trend of treatments like laser hair reduction and botox by sports players. Ankita Singh (29), the reigning Miss India bronze medalist in bikini physique, has just finished her second sitting for laser body-hair reduction.
“We are judged for our physique in bikinis on-stage. Unwanted hair used to interfere with the tan application on the body. Our clothing onstage or at the gym involves us to look groomed at all times. Permanent hair removal has boosted my confidence,” she says, adding that many male body builders too are undergoing laser hair removal.
Teen Spirit: Kylian Mbappe And Other Sports Stars Who've Won Our Hearts
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By Viandra D'souza
It’s been two weeks since France became world champions, but conversation around their young phenomenon – 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe (in pic) – refuses to die down. Turning the lens on other teenage sports wonders.
(Image: AP)
By Viandra D'souza
It’s been two weeks since France became world champions, but conversation around their young phenomenon – 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe (in pic) – refuses to die down. Turning the len..
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Age: 19
This Indian sprinter created history early this month at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Tampere, bagging the gold medal in the 400m final. The 19-year-old Assamese girl became the first Indian to win a track event at an elite world competition. She crossed the finish line in 51.46 seconds and is now tipped to better Manjit Kaur’s 14-year-old National record of 51.05 seconds.
Age: 19
This Indian sprinter created history early this month at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Tampere, bagging the gold medal in the 400m final. The 19-year-old Assamese girl b..
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Age: 15
The young Indian shooter became the country’s youngest ever gold medal winner at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April. The Haryana boy shot down the CWG record in the final with a score of 30 including four series of 5 each. By winning the gold, Anish bettered team-mate Manu Bhaker, who had become the youngest Indian Commonwealth Games gold medallist when she emerged champion in the 10m air rifle finals in the same tournament.
Age: 15
The young Indian shooter became the country’s youngest ever gold medal winner at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April. The Haryana boy shot down the CWG record in the final with a sc..
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Age: 17
Swan shocked World No 36 Irina-Camelia Begu to become the first home player into the second round at Wimbledon this year. She may have crashed out 6-0, 6-3 to 29 seed Mihaela Buzarnescu in the second round, but her name is now on the radar of tennis fans around the globe. Swan, ranked 204th in the world, raised home spirits with a 6-2 6-2 win over Begu. The glamorous 19-year-old signed Andy Murray’s sports management agency, 77 in January this year. Swan’s career prize money to date totals £99,306 and given her form, is set to grow.
(Image: AP)
Age: 17
Swan shocked World No 36 Irina-Camelia Begu to become the first home player into the second round at Wimbledon this year. She may have crashed out 6-0, 6-3 to 29 seed Mihaela Buzarnescu in ..
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Age: 17
Pyeongchang might have been Kim’s first chance at Winter Olympics, but the teenager’s performance was far from that of a debutante. Qualifying for the 2014 Sochi Games at the age of 13 solidified her as one of America’s best snowboarders, but she was more than two years short of the Olympics’ minimum age requirement. At 15, she became only the second half-pipe rider ever to earn a perfect score of
100. Now 17, she’s an Olympic gold medallist after a brilliant performance in South Korea, and the new face of winter sports in the States.
(Image: AP)
Age: 17
Pyeongchang might have been Kim’s first chance at Winter Olympics, but the teenager’s performance was far from that of a debutante. Qualifying for the 2014 Sochi Games at the age of 13 solid..
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Age: 18
The Brazilian forward was officially unveiled by Real Madrid last week after completing his blockbuster transfer from Rio’s Flamengo. Madrid signed the player two years ago for 45 million euros. Vinicius was accompanied on his trip to Madrid by compatriot and former Real player Ronaldo, who led Brazil to the World Cup title in 2002. Voted the best player when Brazil won the Under-17 South American Championship last year, Vinicius originally agreed to join Madrid after playing only 17 minutes of senior football.
(Image: AP)
Age: 18
The Brazilian forward was officially unveiled by Real Madrid last week after completing his blockbuster transfer from Rio’s Flamengo. Madrid signed the player two years ago for 45 million e..
A billiards professional often heads to a dermatologist to get his underarms botoxed, a suggested treatment to avoid sweat patches, while he plays his polished game. “Sweat patches on the shirt during a tournament look awful. You don’t want to be caught looking unkempt on camera,” he says.
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According to dermatologists, this new segment of patients has been growing since two years. Mikki Singh, dermatologist at Bodycraft Clinic, speaks of receiving tennis players, swimmers and body builders for laser hair reduction and botox. While 70% of her patients are women, men too are not behind in the cosmetic game.
“Professional players start practising daily for their game from a young age. They need to be in active wear like shorts and sleeveless tees for ease. Waxing unwanted hair every few weeks becomes a challenge. Some men get a wax rash too due to perspiration. Medical concerns like sweaty palms and underarms play hindrance in their game as well,” explains Singh.
Baby Online: When Sports Stars Turned To Social Media To Welcome Their Little Ones
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The Rooneys added to their brood of boys with littlest member Cass. And Wayne, with football never far from his mind, cutely captioned the picture of himself with his four boys as ‘5-a-side-team complete’ as he introduced his son to the world.
The Rooneys added to their brood of boys with littlest member Cass. And Wayne, with football never far from his mind, cutely captioned the picture of himself with his four boys as ‘5-a-side-team comp..
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The Olympian announced the arrival of his second child Beckett Richard Phelps on Instagram. Phelps said he felt like the happiest man in the world and posted a picture of his wife and two sons. He also gave a shout out to his two dogs that make up his family.
The Olympian announced the arrival of his second child Beckett Richard Phelps on Instagram. Phelps said he felt like the happiest man in the world and posted a picture of his wife and two sons. He al..
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The tennis star is famous for keeping her private life just so. But she does give a peek into her world with Instagram posts. She announced the arrival of her twins, with a little help from famous husband Enrique Iglesias. Each posted a picture of one twin with the caption ‘My Sunshine’.
The tennis star is famous for keeping her private life just so. But she does give a peek into her world with Instagram posts. She announced the arrival of her twins, with a little help from famous hu..
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The batsman shared an adorable picture of his little family to announce the birth of his son Neale Nolan and added hashtags such as ‘Batmen’ and ‘Joker’ in cute references to his wife and son. Since then, he’s kept his 247k followers updated on little Neale’s milestones with regular posts of the cute tot.
The batsman shared an adorable picture of his little family to announce the birth of his son Neale Nolan and added hashtags such as ‘Batmen’ and ‘Joker’ in cute references to his wife and son. Since ..
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After a great season last year, the tennis star accidently announced her pregnancy when she shared a Snapchat post with a picture of her baby bump. That did not deter her though. Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, introduced their baby to the world with a beautiful photo of the mother and daughter on Instagram in September.
After a great season last year, the tennis star accidently announced her pregnancy when she shared a Snapchat post with a picture of her baby bump. That did not deter her though. Williams and her hus..
Shuba Dharmana, cosmetic dermatologist at LeJeune Skin Clinic and Hair Transplant Centre, receives runners and body builders for laser hair reduction on legs and cricketers for skin pigmentation peels, with a 20-30% year-on-year growth in these patients.
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Recalling the way Mitali Raj, Indian women’s cricket team captain, was trolled for a sweat patch, Dharmana says, “Sports stars are always under the spotlight and social media glare, making them image-conscious.”
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According to Ray Titus, marketing and strategy professor at the Alliance School of Business, sportspersons are aware that they are keenly followed by a public that is watching their moves, both offline and on social media. It could result in social judgment with a potential to go viral.
“Dermatological fixes help players prepare well for such image judgments and enhance their social appeal attracting more followers and endowing on them celebrity status,” says Titus.
