During monsoons, we tend to ignore our skin. There is no visible sun, hence sunscreen is not used; due to increased humidity we do not feel it necessary to moisturize our skin.

However, skin care is critical in monsoons to maintain a healthy glowing skin.

Summer is the season for growth - our skin cell turnover increases, this leads to piling up of dead layers of skin by the time monsoon begins. Also, the UV rays that harm the skin are invisible and do penetrate the clouds. And without right skin care, our skin start looking dull and lifeless.

Simple treatments can be used to replenish the skin glow, and keep the skin healthy.

An ideal professional treatment should combine:

* Anti-oxidants (eg Citric acid) – this takes care of the dullness, patchiness and imparts an even tone to the skin,

* Gentle exfoliating milk peels (eg lactic acid peel) – this removes the dead and dull skin, and stimulates skin regeneration,

* A hydrating, lightening mask to add up to the glowing skin.

For optimal skin health, this treatment needs to be repeated once in 4-6 weeks, however if your lifestyle includes a lot of outdoor activities and travelling, it may be advisable to go for the above suggested treatment once in 3 weeks.

This treatment complemented with the right daily skin care would be the right recipe to keep your skin radiant and glowing even in this dull weather.

Daily Skin and Hair Care for Monsoon season

* Good and effective cleansing using a soap free cleanser, you could also use a gentle scrub (with uniform mild beads) once a day

* Cleansing should be followed by toning using an alcohol free toner, since increased humidity could open up your pores

* Use a sunscreen even on a cloudy day since the harmful UV radiations are capable of penetrating the clouds

* Use a light lotion based moisturizer or serum with a lightening agent as well as lactic acid – this would gently rehydrate your skin and also brighten it up

* Avoid heavy makeup and use waterproof make up when necessary

* Remember to nourish your skin - eat salads blanched in boiling water to disinfect them, vegetable soup will keep you warm and healthy and drink usual 8-10 glasses of water. Your skin is always thirstier than you are!

Article Submitted to www.only-ladies.com by Dr. Snehal Sriram – Head, Medical Services, Kaya Skin Clinic

About Dr. Snehal Sriram

Dr. Snehal Sriram, 36 has been the Head- Medical Services of Kaya Skin Clinic since 2006. As medical head of the Kaya Skin Clinic, she aims to bring effective and innovative skin solutions to the Indian consumer, backed by world-class technology and service.

A Diplomat of National Board in Dermatology, Dr. Snehal has over 12 years of experience in India in various capacities in Hospitals of repute viz. Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad and KEM hospital, Mumbai. Over the last 5 years in Kaya Ltd., she has played varied roles that included development of services and products and training the dermatologists of Kaya.

Dr. Snehal has presented many papers in International Conferences viz. International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology in Melbourne and Lisbon. Her papers have been published in several National and International Publications viz. British Journal of Dermatology and Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery.

Dr. Snehal has been a visiting Consultant Dermatologist at Indian Spinal Injuries, New Delhi and has been a Counselor at ‘Roshni’ – a counseling and suicide prevention centre at Secunderabad. She is married and loves to read in her free time.Share