If I could offer you one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it," says Vandana Luthra, founder of the VLCC chain of health and beauty clinics, quoting Mary Schmich's famous class of '97 commencement speech.

Luthra recommends sunscreen to be worn all year round, but more so in summer.

“It's your skin's first line of defence against the harsh summer sun. And it is mandatory if you want to avoid premature wrinkling and skin cancer.

“The type of sunscreen to be used depends on various factors such as age and gender, the time of the day and type of skin. We would recommend SPF 20 to 40 for women
and men with darker complexions and SPF 80 to 100 for fairer complexions. Children under 12 need SPF 20 to 50. If you have an oily skin, then switch to a gel-based
sunscreen to prevent acne," advises Luthra.

Sunscreens are available from SPF 15 in a gel base for oily skin, to SPF 20, SPF 25, SPF 30 and SPF 40 double protection. These are available at all VLCC centres in
Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Muscat.

Your skin type is important when choosing sunscreen. Heavier, oil-based formulations can cause breakouts in naturally oily skin. Luthra recommends a good cleansing
routine, followed by an alcohol-free toner which won't over dry the skin. If you are going to be outdoors, apply sunscreen lotion at least twice every day as no sunscreen can
withstand perspiration and humidity.

The sun also strips your skin of moisture, hence using a good moisturiser is a must, says Luthra. An SPF moisturiser is ideal, and if you must use make-up, switch to a
foundation with an SPF.

“I would recommend a monthly facial which helps to restore the skin's balance. And stay out of the sun at all times if you are undergoing skin peeling treatments."

The one beauty treatment at VLCC that Luthra recommends heartily is the Nature-Tech facial. Suitable for all skin types, for all ages, and both genders, the facial involves
natural fruit juices and fruit pulps induced into the skin using sophisticated technology. It's an instant pick me up for dull and ageing skin, and tightens and tones the facial
muscles. Facials at VLCC are priced at Dh100 per session onwards, while hair treatments are priced at Dh150 per session onwards (prices vary depending on the package).

Summer can be particularly rough on hair and feet. All those pretty flip flops and sandals leave feet vulnerable, causing them to harden and toughen. Use an exfoliating scrub
in the bath, and slather on foot creams before you sleep at night.

For your hair, use a leave-in conditioner, especially before you go swimming to protect hair from going green. Luthra recommends sunscreen enriched conditioners and air
drying, rather than blow drying, in summer. Wear a swimming cap. Specially formulated swimming shampoos and sun suits are highly advisable, especially for children.
Avoid swimming from 11am to 4pm, when UV rays are strongest.

Eat right for the summer

Summer is also the time when people get ready for spending time on the beach or lazing around in the pool. The weather makes it easier to eat light, incorporating lots of
fresh fruit, salads, juices and vegetables into your diet.
And if you ever toyed with the idea of going vegetarian, then the UAE's first ever week-long MeVeg festival should goad you into action.

Loads of yummy celebrities, from Natalie Portman and Alicia Silverstone to Amitabh Bachchan and Orlando Bloom have given up meat and feel better for it. Vegetarianism
helps the planet as well, since meat production is a highly polluting industry.

Starting today and running until June 7, the MeVeg festival will celebrate the national vegetarianism week and encourage people to eat green, light and healthy. The festival is
endorsed by the Ministry of Health. Shops and restaurants have lined up special offers to promote vegetarianism.
Restaurants who will be giving discounts on their menus, ranging from 10 to 15 per cent, include Chappan Bhog, Magnolia at the Madinat Jumeirah, The Rupee Room at
Dubai Marina, Haji Ali Juice Centre in Karama and Oud Metha, Govinda's Restaurant in Karama and Noodle Room in Dubai Marina.
Choithram's supermarkets and in Organic Foods and Café in Satwa and Greens have discounts and special offers in keeping with the vegetarian theme. Cookery
demonstrations and talks will take place during the week at the Organic Foods store in Satwa.

VVLC

Pre- holiday package

This 45-day pre-holiday package combines weight loss (of up to 5kg), therapies, body polishing, hydra facials and hair treatments, sea scrub pedicures and manicures and body waxing.

VLCC claims the package helps you lose weight, rejuvenates with the help of body therapies, gives you beautiful skin and hair — and a better toned body.
Dh7,290 for the package.

Help for hair

Here's Vandana Luthra's surefire home remedy for dry, stressed summer hair.

Bake an apple, peel and core, and mash it along with a fully ripened banana. Add olive oil, coconut milk and egg. Apply this hair mask for one hour to your hair. Wash off
with mild shampoo. Rinse thoroughly.

Veggy celebs

Pamela Anderson, who is currently lapping up the sunshine in the UAE, is a vocal animal rights activist and vegetarian. She stopped eating meat in her early teens after witnessing her father slaughter an animal.

She has campaigned against fast foot outlet Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and in 2001, published a letter stating: “What KFC does to 750 million chickens each year is not civilised or acceptable."

In 2006 she requested that the Governor of Kentucky remove a statue of KFC founder Colonel Sanders and replace it with one of her own. But her offer was politely refused.

Anderson is an active member of animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and has taken part in numerous campaigns.

Other well-known vegetarians include:

- Paul McCartney
- Natalie Portman
- Woody Harrelson
- Morrissey
- Bryan Adams
- Paul McCartney
- Carrie Underwood
- Casey Affleck
- Gillian Anderson
- Jennifer Connelly
- Emily Deschanel
- Daryl Hannah
-Woody Harrelson
- Anne Hathaway
- Tobey Maguire
-Joaquin Phoenix
-Natalie Portman
-Alicia Silverstone
- Chrissie Hynde
-Lenny Kravitz
- KD Lang
- Moby
- Sinéad O'Connor
- Shania Twain
- Jared Leto

— Compiled by Emily Corfe

By Shalaka Paradkar, Special to Gulf News

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