Its that time of the year once again when you either let your skin get burnt to a crisp or actually head out and buy a new bottle of (gasp!) sunscreen. UV protection is the number-one summer health and beauty helper, yet 75% people don’t bother to use any. It’s a well proven fact that 80 per cent of the signs of ageing – fine lines, hyper-pigmentation, wrinkles, sagging – are accelerated by the sun’s rays, which penetrate deep into the skin to attack collagen, the spongy protein that keeps skin supple and firm. New studies also indicate that regular SPF use allows skin cells to focus on tasks that actually improve skin – like shedding dead cells and building collagen – rather than on fighting environmental effects. So you not only prevent further damage, but actually get repairing benefits as well. And no, the bottle from last year won’t do, because sunscreens usually degenerate and lose their effectivity within six months of opening the bottle. Still confused about what all those numbers and rating signify? Here is a quick brush-up 101 to help you choose:

• SPF: Higher SPFs don’t give better protection; they just allow you to be out in the sun longer without burning. SPF 15 works for approximately two hours, so it’s fine for everyday use, but on outdoor days go for SPF 30 or above to cut down on reapplications.
• UVA/UVB: Earlier, SPF regulations only measured the product’s efficacy against UVB rays; however, studies has proved that UVA rays are equally damaging to the skin. So, the revised labeling system for sunscreens includes a four-star rating system for sunscreen protection against UVA light – one star represents low UVA protection, while four stars represent the highest protection available in an over-the-counter product.

I swear, the next time a guy tells me that the efficiency of an aftershave or face wash is directly proportionate to how much it burns the skin, I shall introduce him to some good old acid. I mean, it burns the skin, makes it red, even gets it to flake a bit – doesn’t that show it to be the most perfect skincare product ever???? Seriously, humans of the male kind, you need to abandon your age-old mindset that products need to burn because they most definitely don’t. Fact is that while male skin is 16 per cent thicker than female skin (yes, the old adage is true – men do have thicker skin!) and has a higher oil content, it also endures a lot more wear and tear on a daily basis on account of shaving, harsh washing and the pig headed tendency to avoid moisturisers and exfoliators. All this combines to strip the skin of lubrication, and adding a harsh product will result in a dry, irritated, sensitive and flaky face. So do yourself a favour and switch to one of the newer, custom-designed-for-men grooming products… and no, you can’t borrow ours because women’s products usually contain higher quantities of oil that can irritate men’s skin and clog their pores. Men’s products, on the contrary, need to be easily absorbed, non-greasy and fragrance free. Looking for suggestions? L’Oreal Men Expert, Vichy Homme, L’Occitane and Clarins all have complete ranges for men – so take your pick and give the acid a rest! And yup, your dad did just fine without all this stuff, but then he didn’t need that state of the art Blackberry or MacBook Pro either. Times change – deal with them!

Sorry to be a party pooper, but you absolutely need to know that, sometimes, even the cleanest looking salons are a hotbed of bacteria! Done correctly, a pedicure not just makes your feet look pretty, but also prevent corns, calluses, and dry, cracked skin; but done incorrectly or under unhygienic conditions, it can actually create problems ranging from fungal infections to ingrown toenails. Here’s how to stay trouble-free:

Be inquisitive. How does the salon disinfect its instruments? Are single-use items like buffers and toe separators disposed immediately? Do workers wash their hands between treatments?

Be a snob. Insist on fresh towels and sanitized instruments, and walk out at the first hint of grime or strong odours.

Defend your cuticles. Cuticles keep bacteria from getting under the nail bed, so they should not be clipped or cut indiscriminately.

Customise. No two feet are ever the same, and technicians should be able to customize the procedures. For instance, people will high blood pressure shouldn’t soak their feet in hot water, as this can increase the blood flow. Similarly, diabetics tend to bleed more easily, so you have to be ultra-gentle with sharp instruments like files or clippers.

Get the whole deal: A good salon pedicure should include a soak in an antiseptic foot bath, removal of calluses or thickened skin on the foot’s pressure points, a foot and lower leg massage and varnish.