SUMMER Ahoy!

The time for chilled mocktails and brunch on the beach is here! As the party moves out in the sun, make sure your salon menu is equipped to handle the specialised skincare that summers demand. Our expert Dr Blossom kocchar, Chairperson, Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies and master of aromatherapy sums up all that you need to know about skincare in summer.

We all love to get pampered and spend some relaxing time doing our skincare routine. But, due to our busy schedules, we often tend to ignore our regular visits to the salon.

Keeping yourself beautiful is like therapy for your mind, body and soul. These salon sessions are something that relax your mind and give you the confidence to conquer all the stress and anxiety that your skin is taking on.

During summers our skin suffers the most because of hot and humid weather, exposure to the sun and improper diet or water intake. It is important that you take care of your skin with a regular basic routine and most importantly with regular salon visits.

Now for all those who own a salon, you must check your service menu at the very beginning of the summer and add all the in-demand services for summer.

Summer is the time when the skin needs some extra love and care, from keeping it hydrated, clean and de-tanned to retaining the glow and nourishment of the skin. Therefore, all salon owners need to keep the services that can help people with all skin types and can fulfill maximum skin needs.

WHAT YOUR SKIN NEEDS

You clean-up good: Keep hydrating and deep cleansing facials. Young women between the ages 18 and 23 prefer going for clean-ups. Your salon should keep a few clean-ups that can deeply cleanse and remove dead skin. During this age, the skin also changes and settles into a younger-looking and firmer skin that often goes through problems such as blackheads, whiteheads, too oily or too dr y, and dehydration. Therefore, you can always advise them to get clean-up fortnightly or once in 20 days to keep their skin hydrated, glowing, and balanced.

On the ‘facial’ of it: Have facials on your menu that are long-lasting and have a glowing impact.

In facials, there can be two categories; those who are in their twenties and early thirties, and other categories from their late thirties onwards.

People who belong in the age of mid-twenties and early thirties are the ones that ignore their regular skincare the most due to their busy schedules. They mostly look for a solution that can work for a longer time. So always advise them with facials that keep their skin healthy and glowing for a month at least.

For people from their late thirties onwards keep facials with anti-aging effects. Some people suffer early signs of aging whereas some remain lucky. So, you are advised to keep facials that can help to prevent and control the signs of aging and give firmer and glowing skin.

Tanning is for all: There is no age bar for getting tanned. Keep de -tan services always ready. Any salon is vague in summer if they have no de-tanning services. You can keep de-tan facials, clean-ups, packs, manicure-pedicures, and anything that help people get de-tanned skin.

Mani-pedi is must: Your hands and feet are majorly exposed to the sun, dust, and pollution. They should be given thorough care with a good pampering session of manicure and pedicure.

For mani-pedi, look for those ingredients that can remove your dead skin, de-tan the hands and feet and can keep them soft and healthy.

With all of the above salon care, regular home-based skincare is also important. To maintain good skin health and to deal with common skin problems, follow a regular skincare regime that includes cleansing, toning, oiling and moisturising with sunscreen.

FROM MORNING TILL NIGHT Follow an AM-PM routine of skincare with just four simple steps of: Cleansing: Use a hydrating cleanser or face wash suitable to your skin type. Toning: Use an alcohol-free toner to maintain the pH balance of the skin. Skin Oil: Use a skin oil or serum that can protect the deep layers of the skin. Moisturiser: Use a moisturiser that is water-based for hydration of the skin.

Do not skip sunscreen or sunblock or any sun protection. Pick any of your favourite sunscreens with suitable SPF for your skin and apply it for 15 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply whenever required. Applying sunscreen can protect your skin from premature aging, improve the appearance of the skin and also protect it from sunburn.

Observe your diet and water intake. Add seasonal fruits and vegetables to your diet as much as possible because what you eat gets reflected on your skin. A healthy diet brings out healthy glowing skin.

Keep yourself hydrated with water, lemon water, green tea, juices, etc. Increases your water intake in any form you like.

Follow these simple steps along with a regular skincare routine to keep your skin healthy and beautiful this summer.

About the author: Dr Blossom Kochhar has devoted her entire life to skilling and educating people across the country in beauty, hair and aromatherapy. She heads the Blossom Kochhar College of Creative Arts & Design (BKCCAD). She is the co-chairperson of the Beauty and Wellness Sector Skill Council, India Skills since 2017. professionalbeauty.in59 61