Pune teen Sia Domkundwar, 16, interviewed acid attack and burn survivors and wrote a 60-page skincare and recovery guide for them, which is now being shared with 10 hospitals across India through the Chhanv Foundation
What happens after a burn or acid attack survivor leaves the hospital? The surgeries may be over, wounds may have started healing, and medical treatment may have addressed the immediate injuries. But everyday questions remain. Which moisturiser is safe for sensitive or grafted skin? What clothes will not cause irritation? Can survivors wear makeup? How should they care for their hair and nails?These were some of the questions that caught the attention of 16-year-old Sia Domkundwar from Pune. Instead of treating them as minor concerns, she decided to find answers by speaking directly to survivors and understanding their experiences.Her research eventually led to a 60-page resource called ‘The Glow Guide’, created to help burn and acid attack survivors navigate everyday self-care during recovery. The guide is now being shared through the Chhanv Foundation and circulated to 10 hospitals across India. For Sia, the project was about addressing a part of recovery that often receives less attention: helping people feel informed and comfortable while adapting to changes in their bodies.
The questions that inspired a teenager to take action
Sia’s journey towards creating the guide began through BuildUp, a mentored internship programme that gives students opportunities to work on real-world problems. During the project, she connected with the Chhanv Foundation, an organisation that works with acid attack survivors and supports their rehabilitation. As she started learning about their experiences, she realised that medical treatment was only one part of their recovery. Many survivors had to figure out everyday skincare and personal care through trial and error.In an interview with Mid-Day, Sia explained that she noticed a gap in information about non-prescription, non-medicated products and everyday care. She began interviewing survivors and speaking with doctors and other specialists. Her research included conversations with around eight survivors, along with inputs from professionals such as nail technicians.What she heard changed her understanding of what recovery involved. Questions about sunlight, clothing, cosmetics, hair care and skin sensitivity were not simply about appearance. They were about being able to manage everyday life with greater confidence. One survivor, Anshu, associated with the Chhanv Foundation, explained how difficult it had been to understand which skincare products were suitable for her. Without proper guidance, she and her family had to work things out themselves. These conversations helped Sia understand that survivors needed practical information that considered their individual experiences.
Inside The Glow Guide : 60 pages of everyday care information
The result of her research was The Glow Guide, a 60-page resource that brings together information on several aspects of personal care. It covers skincare, hair and scalp care, nail and hand care, clothing, hygiene, nutrition, cosmetics and recovery-related tools. One of its useful features is an ingredient guide that helps readers understand product labels and make more informed choices. It also includes a Glow Directory featuring products, professionals, non-governmental organisations and support resources that survivors may find helpful.The guide does not prescribe medication or suggest that one product or routine will work for everyone. Instead, it offers information that readers can explore according to their individual needs. Sia also worked to make the resource sensitive to the emotional experiences of survivors. It does not expect readers to follow a fixed sequence or complete every section. They can use the information whenever they feel comfortable. This approach is important because recovery is not the same for everyone. A skincare routine that works for one person may not suit another, particularly when skin sensitivity, grafts and other medical considerations are involved.
Why listening to survivors became the most important part
While researching the guide, Sia discovered that collecting information was not as simple as putting together a list of recommended products. Survivors had different experiences, preferences and needs. Their suggestions sometimes differed, making it important to avoid presenting a single solution as suitable for everyone. She also realised that personal care could have a deeper meaning for someone recovering from a traumatic experience. Being able to choose clothes, experiment with makeup or follow a comfortable skincare routine could help restore a sense of control.In her conversations, survivors spoke about wanting to feel confident and make their own choices rather than having others decide what was appropriate for them. This became one of the central ideas behind The Glow Guide. It was not designed to tell survivors how they should look or how quickly they should recover. Instead, it aimed to give them information and leave decisions in their hands. The guide was developed with inputs from survivors and specialists, with a focus on presenting information without creating pressure around appearance or recovery timelines.
From a student internship to a resource reaching hospitals
What began as a mentored student project has now moved beyond Sia’s initial research. Through the Chhanv Foundation, The Glow Guide is being circulated to 10 hospitals across India, making the resource accessible to more survivors. The guide is currently available in English, with plans to build its digital presence and make the information easier to access. The Chhanv Foundation has been an important partner in this journey. The organisation works towards the rehabilitation of acid attack survivors through medical assistance, emotional support, education and opportunities for independence.For Sia, the project has also been an opportunity to understand how listening to people can lead to meaningful solutions. At 16, she has created something that goes beyond a conventional school assignment or internship presentation. Her work focuses on questions that may appear small to outsiders but can make a difference to someone navigating life after a serious injury. The Glow Guide does not promise to make recovery easy. It offers something more practical: information, choices and a reminder that survivors deserve support long after their hospital treatment ends.
