The secret to perfect skin is something we all aspire to learn. The foundation upon which most beauty treatments are built, flawless skin evades many of us, especially during the summer months when sun exposure and dehydration can throw a spanner in the works. Luckily, Talise Spa Director Afrah Hamdy is on hand to share her beauty secrets, so we can all enjoy perfect, glowing skin this summer.

During the summer months many of us spend more time outdoors, soaking up the rays and exercising in the open air. UVA rays can be really damaging to skin, causing cells to age prematurely and skin to wrinkle. So, ensure that you wear a high-factor sunscreen to protect your skin, and this should be reapplied every 2-3 hours or whenever you come out of a pool or the sea. You should also consider wearing long loose-fitting clothing and a hat in order to give the maximum protection and longevity to your skin elasticity.

Hydration is another important factor in the preservation of flawless skin, so Afrah recommends drinking approximately 8-10 glasses of water during the day, with physically active people probably needing to drink an additional 2-4 glasses. If you find it difficult to remember to drink water, it can help to carry around a reusable water bottle so you’re always aware of how much you’re drinking. Be careful of drying out your skin by drinking too much coffee, tea and alcohol as they act diuretics dehydrating the body. And as for smoking, just don’t!

Having a healthy, balanced diet also helps our skin to appear healthy and hydrated. It’s important to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables with your meals and as snacks, as they provide the body with more naturally purified water and increase the nutrients we all need to keep our skin looking radiant, renewed and plump. Afrah also suggests decreasing the amount of processed carbohydrates in our diet, such as bread and pasta, as these foods can dehydrate the skin and cause wrinkles or signs of early ageing.

At the Talise Ottoman Spa at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray there are plenty of fantastic treatments that can really help to refresh and rejuvenate tired skin. Afrah recommends booking the 60-minute Revealing Facial on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, as it helps to revitalise the skin and improve blood and lymphatic circulation. For the body, the Diamond and Rose Body Ritual is a 90-minute treatment that helps to firm and renew the skin, giving it a natural glow. Conducted in the calming surrounds of the Talise Ottoman Spa, after your treatment you’ll be able to enjoy complementary therapies across the sprawling facilities, including the grand Turkish hammam and the relaxing thalassotherapy pools.

Really, the secret to perfect skin isn’t all that complicated. With the help of these simple beauty tips and a few restorative spa treatments, flawless summer skin is finally within reach.