After offering advice to numerous patients on what sun block products to buy, local dermatologist Sonia Kapoor decided to create one herself.
‘Every patient came to me and I would say, ‘You live in Cayman, you need to use sunscreen,” she said.
The doctor suggested better brands like Neutrogena which would subsequently sell out all over the island.
She would resort to advising her patients to stock up on sun block during any trips to Miami.
‘I then decided to take a very new step to change hats from physician to businesswomen,’ Dr. Kapoor said.
She wanted to create a sun block that would not only be readily available here but contain both titanium and zinc oxide and be chemical-free.
‘I wanted to incorporate medical technology with practicality,’ Dr. Kapoor said.
The result was Shiksha, which means ‘informed knowledge’ in Sanskrit. This sun block comes in either an SPF of 58 or 60, depending on the preparation.
The doctor was looking to provide a sun block that was easy to carry and could satisfy several different needs.
The 2-oz bottles are small enough for women to keep in their handbags so the sun block could be used any time, she explained.
In addition, she offers clear, waterproof and tinted versions.
‘Some patients tell me they have makeup with an SPF of 15, but that is not high enough so I thought a sun block with tinted shades would be appealing to women.
‘It is also an all-in-one product for women who don’t like a lot of makeup and use tinted moisturisers with some SPF. This is a better alternative,’ she said.
Dr. Kapoor has tried to make the lotion attractive to men as well.
‘Men, in particular, are more likely to use a sun block if it is clear and easy to put on,’ Dr. Kapoor explained.
The sun block can be used all over, but she emphasised it is important to cover the hands, face and ears, the areas most exposed to sunlight.
With an SPF ranging from 58 to 60, the sun block does not need to be reapplied as often, adding to its convenience, she explained.
The product is made in the US according to her specifications and is available at Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital, where she practises.
Dr. Kapoor believes this to be the first private-label product created by a Caymanian doctor.
‘It is totally user-friendly,’ she said, adding in less technical terms, ‘It is not smelly, greasy, icky or runny.’
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