Suffered sunburn trying to treat vitiligo, Mini now owns skin care brand

Adolescence is a time when most people start thinking about how they appear to others. But Mini faced a different reality. At a young age, she was considered unattractive because of vitiligo and was even excluded from family photos. This could have easily filled her life with feelings of inferiority. However, Mini Menon, a native of Palakkad, overcame this challenge through her effort and stands as an example to others, proudly facing the world with her head held high. She defeated her skin condition with the help of nature and now follows a unique path in skincare, which she shares with Manorama Online.

Adolescence marred by vitiligo
At the age of 13, white patches started appearing on Mini's face and spread rapidly. Everyone she met commented on them. This was a time before body positivity was widely discussed and body shaming was considered normal. She faced ridicule everywhere she went. There were even instances where she was excluded from photos because it was believed that her appearance would ruin the picture.

Parents seek treatment for Mini
Their initial attempt involved sun exposure to lighten the patches. For about two years, Mini exposed her face to the scorching sun, resulting in irreversible skin damage. The resulting uneven skin tone led to more ridicule and, sometimes, pity. She was given numerous nicknames, and some even considered her state to be a curse. Instead of teaching a child that life is beautiful, society traumatized a teenager.

Overcoming vitiligo and embracing skincare
Sun exposure did not improve her vitiligo, but it did worsen her skin. Then she met homeopathy doctor Krishnan Unni. Given her severely damaged skin, he advised her to stop using all cosmetic products, including soap and powder, alongside her vitiligo treatment. Mini, tired of her condition, readily accepted any suggestion that offered a chance of recovery. The treatment helped her vitiligo, and she began relying solely on natural remedies, like gram flour and chickpea flour, prepared at home.

She experimented with various ingredients from her home and garden. Fearless of further damage, she tried everything. Some experiments failed, but others showed noticeable improvements. As her vitiligo cleared and her skin improved, she continued using these remedies. She carried her homemade powders and remedies everywhere she went. She also developed alopecia areata (hair loss), for which she again adopted a natural approach and successfully reversed the condition. She developed self-made hair care products which became part of her daily routine.

Her past experiences left deep wounds. She felt self-conscious when around others. Despite these insecurities, she gained confidence and served as chairperson during her postgraduate studies in English at Mercy College, Palakkad. She continued her skincare routine and confidently faced society.

She later cleared the UGC exam and became a lecturer at Amrita College. After marriage, she moved to Bengaluru and worked at Infosys. The family later moved to Mumbai due to her husband's job. Throughout all these moves, she continued using her own skincare and hair care products. She also used the same products for her children.

Entrepreneurship through friendship
She quit her job to care for her children. People who had once been concerned about her appearance now marvelled at her transformation and asked for her beauty secret. Mini proudly says that those who once shunned her now seek her out for advice.

"Once my children were in higher classes, I felt the need to do something on my own. At 40, I got a job in Bombay. Then, I wanted to pursue an MBA. So, at 43, I completed my MBA in Marketing Management. I was already making remedies for those who asked me about my skincare secret. My close friend, Uday Shankar, was the first to recognize the potential of this."

Uday recognized the potential of Mini's skincare and hair care methods as a brand. Initially hesitant, Mini finally decided to launch her own brand, 'Aham Roots', with Uday's full support, after receiving positive feedback from those who used her products. Aham Roots offers a range of natural hair and skincare products – hair oil, face oil, face masks, and hair masks – all made without chemicals or preservatives. For three years, Aham Roots has been thriving. Mini attributes the brand’s success to Uday.

Positive feedback drives progress
For over 30 years, Mini has maintained her beauty regimen using only self-made skincare and hair care products – no makeup, cosmetics, or even soap. Mini's approach to beauty is unique. She believes that the skin one is born with is the best. True beauty lies not in altering natural skin but in maintaining its health and preventing damage.

Family support
Mini's husband, Shankar Nair, runs an electronic lab equipment manufacturing company. Their daughters, Lakshmi (a BBA student in Bengaluru) and Gayatri (a 10th-grade student), provide constant support. Mini's family's unwavering support has been crucial in her journey of overcoming adversity and building a fulfilling life. Mini's life shows that inner beauty and self-confidence are more important than outer beauty and that embracing these can lead to a fulfilling life.