When the water gets warmer and the drinks colder, know that summer is just around the corner! The seasons have different concerns. The scorching heat of summer certainly makes you uncomfortable in various ways, especially when it comes to your skin and hair. From sunburn to frizzy hair, summers can be brutal on your body. So remember the protective measures listed below to make sure your summers are synonymous with golden ambience, breathtaking sunsets and ice cream melting in your hands!
What are the common skin problems?
- Sunburn
When your skin is exposed to the sun (UVA and UVB rays) for long periods, you may experience irritation, redness and even pain. This is called sunburn. It’s a kind of radiation burn of the skin.
Sunburns tend to damage the outer layer (epidermis) or even the inner layer (dermis) of the skin if left untreated for too long.
But don’t worry, your skin can recover from sunburn! Just follow the preventive measures outlined below.
Prevention
- As far as possible, try to limit the number of hours spent outdoors, especially at midday and after working hours. The sun is at its strongest at this time of year.
- Always wear sunscreen when you leave the house. Sunscreens can’t completely prevent sunburn, but they can certainly act as a protective barrier to prevent excessive skin damage.
- Dry skin
If you don’t wear protection and expose yourself to the sun often, you risk damaging your skin. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause skin dryness. Sunlight absorbs moisture from the skin, making it dry and flaky.
The pool you jump into to cool off can also cause dry skin. The chemicals in chlorine can rob the skin of the moisture it needs, leaving it dry and chalky.
As well as the sun and chlorine-filled swimming pools depriving the skin of moisture, air conditioning can have the same effect. Air conditioning can rob your skin of any remaining moisture, leaving it dry and dehydrated.
Prevention
- Before exposing yourself to the sun, make sure to use a strong sunscreen to protect your skin from sunburn and other sun damage. This will help your skin retain its moisture.
- Take a shower as soon as you get out of the pool. Wash your skin with a cleanser for dry skin to remove chlorine.
- Make sure you drink enough water. It’s important to stay hydrated on hot summer days. Your skin can become dehydrated and start to lack moisture once dehydration begins.
- Use a humidifier to keep moisture in the air and in your skin. A humidifier works well all year round, including in winter, when your skin may become drier than usual.
- Frequent acne flare-ups
Summer is for ice cream, not acne!
Irregular sebum production on the skin due to hot weather, dirt and pollution increases the risk of clogged pores. This can lead to frequent breakouts.
But don’t be discouraged: these preventive measures can help you fight seasonal breakouts.
Prevention
- Try to stay hydrated throughout the day.
- Let your skin breathe with light, non-comedogenic make-up products, if you like to wear them.
- Heat rash
Hot, humid weather induces perspiration on the body, and when the sweat glands become clogged with excess perspiration, it causes a stinging, irritating sensation known as thermal erythema. This leads to tingling and irritation, also known as thermal erythema.
Prevention
- Don’t use scented shower gels or creams, as they irritate the skin.
- Take cold baths or showers to help relieve inflammation.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes, as they prevent the evaporation of sweat, which promotes the appearance of rashes.
- Eczema flare-ups
Summer isn’t always the same for eczema sufferers!
Hot, humid weather and perspiration can cause irritation in areas already affected. Even the hot, dry winds of summer can accelerate eczema flare-ups.
Don’t be discouraged! We’ve got tips to help you manage flare-ups and make the most of summer.
Prevention
- Resist the urge to scratch the affected area and identify triggers.
- Try not to spend too long in the sun.
- Dermatologists advise you to be aware of what irritates your skin and what does not. It can be anything from environmental factors to diet. Keeping track can help you identify the causes and find the right solutions.
- Increased hyperpigmentation
It’s hard to resist the great outdoors, especially on such sunny days! But too much of it can do you harm.
Spending a lot of time outdoors and exposing your skin to the sun’s harmful rays can damage it. Too much sun leads to an overproduction of melanin, causing dark spots or patches to form on exposed skin. This condition is known as hyperpigmentation. If you already suffer from it, the sun’s rays can quickly make it worse.
Don’t let it get you down. It may take some time, but hyperpigmentation can be reversed if treated properly and religiously.
Prevention
- Limit sun exposure as much as possible to avoid aggravating existing hyperpigmentation.
- Wear sunscreen to prevent the sun’s rays from damaging your skin.
- Cover your face when outdoors.
What are the common hair problems?
Have you ever noticed that your hair is frizzier in summer than in winter? Just touch it and look in the mirror. You’ll have the answer.
Apparently, summers aren’t just about taking care of the skin. Hair is just as important, as it’s also affected by sun exposure. The longer it’s exposed to the sun, the more likely it is that the hair cuticle will be damaged.
This can make your hair frizzy and lighter, leading to split ends. So relax! We’re sure we’ve got a solution for your hair problems in summer.
Prevention
- Rubbing your hair with a towel to dry it essentially creates extra frizz. Use a microfiber cloth to remove excess water from hair.
- Oil rejuvenates your hair. So try massaging your hair with oils at least once a week before taking a head bath.
- Avoid heated styling tools such as hair dryers, flat irons, curlers and pancakes. They pull the oils out of your hair, making it frizzy and dry.
- Try covering your hair when outdoors with scarves or bandanas to reduce sun exposure directly on the hair.
Final takeaway
Just as you renew your wardrobe every season, it’s imperative that you renew your skincare routine. Products designed for winter may not be effective in summer.
And when the sun is at its peak in summer, it quickly affects your skin. Skin damage may seem temporary, but if left untreated, it will certainly harm you in the long term. So it’s a good idea to update your skin and hair care routine and adopt preventative measures.