The Harmful effects of Summers Sun on Skin

Summers. The season of holidays for school kids, the season of tasty treats for Mango, and Litchi lovers. The season of mirages on empty roads. Summers of our country covers a large part of our year and initially come as a welcome respite from the chilly winters that most of the northern India experiences. However, all this respite turns into agony with the onslaught of humidity from May onwards, and the weather becomes unbearable. These profound changes in the weather of our country take a toll on our hair and skin, among other things. From dry, brittle skin in winters to oily, greasy, breakout-prone skin in the summers, the range is loooong. Taking care of skin and hair in summers is a full-fledged task, and with a lack of necessary information about how the skin reacts to changing weather, the upkeep of healthy skin becomes even more difficult. In this blog, we will cover a few simple practices one can include in their daily routine to get healthier skin and hair with minimum effort and reap maximum benefits from the same. Let us approach the problems of the season and their remedies in a step by step manner.

 

Heat:

The increase in temperature causes loss of water from the body called dehydration. High humidity means more sweat and oil production, which sends the skin cell production into overdrive. Dead skin cells, when interacts with excess oil and sweat, leads to acne breakouts. The higher temps can cause heat rashes and sunburns.

 

Solution:

Pretty simple, drink plenty of fluids, water should be your favourite beverage and snack. Avoid unnecessary sun exposure, whenever venturing out in the Sun; make sure you wear protective clothing like hats, caps etc. Apply ample high strength sunscreen to provide a protective layer to your skin. For our hot and humid climate, we recommend at least 30 SPF.

 

Folliculitis:

The follicle is an opening through which hair grows over different parts of the body. There is a higher chance of these follicles getting infected during summers; this is called Folliculitis. These look like pimples but are more itchy and tender.

 

Prevention and Remedies:

Remove tight clothes, like biking shorts, after a workout. Avoid pools where Chlorine levels are not regulated. Avoid tight-fitted garments.

 

Prickly Heat:

If sweat glands get blocked, there is a built-up of sweat under the skin surface that causes an itchy bump on the skin, and when these bumps burst they release trapped sweat leading to a prickly sensation is felt, thus the name.

 

Prevention and Remedies:

Prefer to wear loose fitted garments, fabrics like cotton are breathable and comfortable on the skin during high humidity and temperatures. Try to keep the skin cool by way of fans, air-conditioning, whenever/if possible. Avoid exercising during the hottest time of the day, exercise indoors wherever possible. Chilled tea bag applied directly over the affected skin surface works wonders. Fresh Yogurt applied directly on the skin for 10-15 minutes and washed off with regular tap water.

 

Acne Breakouts:

When excess oil and sweat mix with bacteria, the pores on the skin get clogged and lead to acne breakouts. It can be worse for anyone with sensitive skin.

 

Remedies:

Hydration is the key, drink lots of water to keep flushing out the toxins from the body. Use a gentle skin cleanser which removes impurities without excessively drying out the skin. Do not wipe sweat as it can irritate the skin, pat dry instead. Face wipes with moisturising and anti-bacterial ingredients are a quick fix when you are on the go and can't wash your face with water. Avoid rubbing the skin and using harsh towels. Avoid oil-based moisturisers and other skincare products.

 

Sunburns:

The most common outcome of higher sun exposure are Sunburns. What is even more worrisome is that its effects are only visible after a few hours of sun exposure.

 

Prevention:

Sunscreens can prevent the skin from UV rays that are the primary cause of sunburns. Minimising the exposure to the Sun is the most basic precaution one can take.

 

Wrinkles and Ageing:

Fine lines on the skin are a sign of ageing, but increased sun exposure can cause them to appear sooner than later. Constant sun exposure can lead to breakage of collagen and elastic tissue in the skin, causing sagginess.

 

Prevention:
For all the troubling issues related to sun exposure, the prevention is relatively simple. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before venturing out in the Sun and re-apply every two hours in the Sun. Wear UV protective sunglasses and hats. If possible, carry an umbrella to protect yourself from the Sun. All the conditions mentioned above are relatively common and easily avoided by following some simple steps and incorporating preventive strategies in our day to day operations. Apart from all the above steps following a healthy diet rich in essential nutrients is the best defence you can give yourself. It's best to avoid sugary, carb-dense foods in this season and go for citrous fruits, hydrating and fibre loaded foods to keep your mind and body feeling lighter and ready to go.

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