Navratri is here, with the nine nights promising revelry and some high-energy fun! Adding to the whirl of dancing and fun are the lehengas and ghagras worn with stunning deep-back blouses, tie-up cholis and halter-neck silhouettes that are a fashion a moment of their own. It puts the spotlight on the shoulders, upper back and the neckline. And people have been visiting salons for those skin-brightening facials, gentle glow peels and back polishes, that totally highlight the festival's backless styles!
From exfoliations to body polishing, we got well-known dermatologists to weigh in on the beauty treatments that give a fresh, lit-from-within glow for the nine nights of festivities.
1. What are the beauty treatments that are popular in the run-up to Navratri especially for the back?
Navratri is a time when the back becomes almost as important as the face, especially with backless cholis and halter silhouettes. I see patients increasingly opting for treatments that improve the overall clarity, texture and radiance of the back. Depending on the concern, this can include medical-grade body peels, controlled exfoliation, treatments for back acne and pigmentation, and skin-rejuvenation procedures.
For someone with active back acne, acne marks or pigmentation, I would first address the underlying condition rather than simply doing a cosmetic polish. For pigmentation and uneven texture, carefully selected peels can help improve the appearance of the skin. The treatment has to be customised, particularly for Indian skin, which can be prone to post-inflammatory pigmentation.
The biggest mistake is leaving it until two days before Navratri. Skin treatments need some planning, and I would strongly advise against experimenting with an aggressive procedure immediately before an important event.
What are men going in for?
There is definitely a move towards subtle, maintenance-based aesthetic care rather than dramatic transformation. Around festive occasions, I see interest in skin brightening and rejuvenation treatments, acne and pigmentation management, laser hair reduction, chemical peels and treatments for enlarged pores and uneven texture.
For men with active lifestyles, back and chest acne can also be a concern, particularly because of sweating, friction and gym-related factors. Hair and scalp treatments are another major area—especially for early hair thinning and hair fall.
What are the beauty treatments that are popular in the run up to Navratri?
Navratri is about devotion, fasting, dancing, dressing up and, of course, those gorgeous ghaghras and cholis. And what better time to bring out your backless cholis, halter necks and barely-there blouses? But what if back acne, stretch marks or stubborn pigmentation are making you think twice before wearing that backless choli? Here are a few treatments worth considering before your big Garba night. Some offer a quick glow, while others need a little more planning. Because good skin, unfortunately, doesn't always work according to our social calendar.
For the back:
Let's start with stretch marks. One option is MilliFrac, an advanced fractional microneedling treatment that creates thousands of microscopic channels in the skin, stimulating collagen remodelling and gradually improving the appearance and texture of stretch marks. These are notoriously stubborn, so multiple sessions may be required, and results develop over months. So ideally, start planning well before the festive season rather than booking a treatment a week before Garba.
For back acne, chemical peels containing ingredients like salicylic acid or azelaic acid can be useful, depending on the type of acne and your skin sensitivity. These help with clogged pores, excess oil and inflammation. Some patients notice improvement fairly quickly, but active acne usually requires a proper treatment course. Mild peeling or irritation can occur, so don't schedule your first peel just before slipping into that heavily embroidered choli.
For stubborn acne marks and pigmentation, pico lasers come into the picture. They deliver ultra-short pulses of laser energy to target certain types of pigmentation, often with less surrounding thermal damage than conventional approaches. But not every dark mark needs a laser, and in Indian skin, we have to be particularly careful about post-inflammatory pigmentation. The right diagnosis and settings matter.
What are the beauty treatments that are popular in the run up to Navratri?
Quite popular right now are the Hydrafacial and other medical facials for cleansing, hydration and instant glow.
Chemical peels are also in demand for pigmentation, tanning and uneven skin tone.
We see a rise in Q-Switch laser treatments and laser toning for pigmentation and dullness.
In addition, Microneedling for pores, acne scars and skin texture is hot.
Also popular are under-eye treatments for tired-looking eyes and PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) and other regenerative treatments for skin rejuvenation.
To avoid sweaty underarms in kurtas one can consider Botulinum toxin treatment.
For the Back
The “back glow” treatment because of backless cholis and halter-style outfits. For someone wanting a polished back, I would recommend a customised back treatment depending on the concern:
Back acne / active breakouts: acne-control peels and appropriate medical treatment.
Back pigmentation/tan: brightening peels, Q-Switch laser treatment/laser toning
Combination of peels and/or microneedling after active acne is controlled Rough, dull skin: medical exfoliation + hydration treatment
Ingrown hairs: laser hair reduction can give a smoother appearance
For a premium “event-ready” finish: a combination protocol such as back cleansing/exfoliation + peel + hydration/brightening treatment + planned according to skin type can be customised.
What are men going in for?
Men want discreet, low downtime, "no one will know" treatments and often book at the last minute. Hair, skin glow, and sweat control are the top three. Popular ones include: Hydrafacial/medical facials for clean, fresh-looking skin, chemical peels for tanning, pigmentation and uneven skin, acne and acne-scar treatments, laser hair reduction, particularly for chest, back, shoulders and beard/neck areas, beard-area pigmentation and ingrown-hair management, Q-switch/laser toning for tanning and pigmentation Microneedling for acne scars, pores and texture
Hair treatments such as PRP/PRF for men concerned about hair thinning
To avoid sweaty underarms in kurtas one can think of Botulinum toxin.
What are the beauty treatments that are popular in the run up to Navratri?
With Navratri coming up, a lot of people love wearing beautiful backless cholis and halter styles, so the back definitely deserves some extra attention too. For a last-minute glow, one of my favourites is a HydraFacial for the back—the same concept we love for facial skin can be used to deeply cleanse, exfoliate and give the back a fresh, polished look.
If someone has back acne, old acne marks, uneven tone or pigmentation, I usually prefer a customised chemical peel, depending on the skin concern.
Another treatment I really like is laser toning, especially when dullness and uneven pigmentation are the main concerns. Ideally, I always suggest getting the back assessed first, because the treatment should be chosen according to whether we are dealing with active acne, pigmentation, tanning or simply looking for that festive glow.
Dr Geetika shares key pointers to note:
Plan your treatments according to how much time you have. Facials can offer a quick refresh, but collagen-stimulating procedures, pigmentation treatments and body contouring need patience.
And one last thing. You don't need a perfectly smooth back, poreless skin or a sculpted waist to wear that backless choli.
If you love the outfit, wear it.
After all, Navratri is about celebrating, not standing in front of the mirror conducting a full-body dermatological audit.
