"There Is No Skin Whitening Secret; Bollywood Celebrities Take Injections; Don’t Fall Into the Trap!” Says Shark Tank Judge Shaily Mehrotra

In a recent episode of the Startup Pedia podcast, Shaily Mehrotra, founder and CEO of skincare brand Fixderma and a judge on Shark Tank India Season 5, opened up about a question many people quietly wonder: Why do some modern Bollywood celebrities seem to have noticeably fairer skin than they did in their older photos?

During the conversation, Jameel Akhter, co-founder of Startup Pedia and podcast host, questioned people's obsession with fairness creams and whether these products truly make someone fair and lovely.

Responding openly, Mehrotra said such brands thrive on people’s insecurities. According to her, no cream can change a person’s natural skin colour, but it can reduce tanning, improve pigmentation, and enhance clarity, nothing beyond that. 

"They just take advantage of your insecurity. The truth is, you can't change your natural skin tone. Your skin might look clearer once you address tanning or pigmentation, but it won't get any lighter than your natural shade. So, don't waste your time on it." Shaily Mehrotra told Jameel Akhter, co-founder of Startup Pedia and podcast host.

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The Truth Behind Bollywood Celebs’ Skin Fairness

Since creams cannot alter natural skin tone, many wonder how Bollywood celebrities maintain such an attractive and fair complexion compared to their earlier days. 

Mehrotra addressed this curiosity directly, revealing that the secret lies in medical procedures rather than topical products.

"People often ask me, 'Then how did these Bollywood celebrities become fair?' If we look at their old photos, they had a significantly darker shade," Mehrotra said.

The Fixderma founder explained that actors undergo treatments that are often inaccessible or costly to the average consumer. 

They typically take Glutathione injections, an antioxidant that acts by neutralising free radicals, reducing oxidative stress, repairing cells, and recycling other antioxidants like Vitamin C and E. 

However, she warned that these results are not permanent; once the treatment stops, the skin tone returns to its previous state.

"As long as you keep taking it, it will maintain that lighter skin tone. But the moment you stop, you will revert to your original, darker shade. There is no permanent solution,” she explained.

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Focus on Skin Health, Not Fair Skin

In her advice, Shaily Mehrotra urged consumers to shift their focus from changing their skin colour to improving its health. She also pointed out that having a fair complexion does not equate to having good skin if issues like acne or sun damage are ignored.

"Imagine someone is very fair but has severe acne or a lot of skin problems; you won't appreciate that look, right? So, I think you should focus on skin health and stop chasing fair skin," Mehrotra told Startup Pedia.

The Shark Tank judge concluded with a powerful message for the audience: "Don’t fall for the trap." Instead of risking health for temporary fairness, she urged people to embrace their natural skin tone and prioritise treating actual skin concerns like pigmentation and sensitivity.

About Fixderma

Founded in 2010 by Shaily Mehrotra and Anurag Mehrotra, Fixderma is a leading Indian cosmeceutical brand that bridges the gap between prescription-based dermatology and over-the-counter skincare products. 

The Gurugram-based company has built its reputation on clinically proven, dermatologist-recommended products, which have propelled Fixderma to a valuation of Rs 1,500 crore today.

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