Dandiya season triggers ‘hand-lift’ boom

Now when the buzz of dandiya nights is picking up steam with several invitations already out, city women are making a special effort to get a perfect look before they sport a colourful ghagra-choli teamed with silver jewellery and step out to attend the nights of festivities. Apart from learning dandiya steps at dance academies, women are booking appointments with skin specialists to make sure they look picture-perfect with dandiya sticks in their hands. This year, a beauty trend that is hot is getting fuller hands. During dandiya, youngsters get very conscious about how their hands appear and they have been queuing up at salons for elaborate manicure and pedicure sessions. “I have seen guys noticing girls’ hands. When you hold the dandiya sticks, all the attention is on your hands, which is actually the biggest giveaway of your age. That is why besides other beauty treatments, I am making sure to sit for an elaborate session of manicure,” says Deepti Ghai, a dance instructor. But everything comes at a cost. “There is no limit to what is on offer. Expenses of procedures vary according to what you can afford. Procedures like hydrating facials start from '15,000, restylane vital procedure on hands (a special treatment for hand-lift) costs upto '45,000 depending on the requirement. They are expensive but many women from all ages are taking appointments for these before the festive season,” shares Dr Indu Ballani, dermatologist from Mantra spa. Besides pretty clothes, perfect skin and looks are a must for everyone, feels Preeti Mehta. “This is the time when you meet so many people and make new friends that it becomes mandatory to leave a lasting impact. So, I make sure I take all the necessary treatments before Navratri approaches. I save money till October and spend it just before Navratri when I get to attend a lot of dandiya nights with my friends,” says Preeti. Talking about the changing trends, Dr Indu adds, “People have become very conscious about maintaining beauty and good looks. The latest treatments that have caught people’s attention are hydrating facials, oxygen infusion therapies, hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers and treatments for hands.” So these days, instead of heading home after office each evening, Deepshikha Sharma, 25, enters the nearby clinic to get a beauty treatment. “I have been a thin girl since childhood. I didn’t like the way my hands looked. They were extremely skinny with veins protruding. This season I decided to change it forever and approached a doctor. The doctor gave me a session of restylane vital skinboosters and now my hands look plumper and younger. I am dying to apply mehndi, wear a ghagra-choli and participate in dandiya raas,” says Deepshikha.