Dermatology Specialist Dr. Şule Albayrak explained ways to protect your skin in cold weather and gave important suggestions and warnings.
Dryness, flaking, cracking, redness, blemishes on the skin... These days, when we feel the winter season clearly, cold weather negatively affects our skin health. Dryness and sensitivity are the most common problems we encounter, especially on the face and hands that are exposed to the outside environment. The most important reason for dry skin during winter months is; Decrease in the skin's water retention capacity as a result of damage to its protective barrier.
Wind, humid and hot environments cause complaints to become more pronounced. In addition, hand washing with hot water, increased use of Turkish baths and saunas, clothes that dry the skin, prolonged shower time, the use of washcloths and washcloths, and hygiene materials that disrupt the skin's barrier are other reasons that increase the problems. So, what should we do and what should we avoid to have moist, bright and smooth skin in the cold winter months?
Keep bath time short
Long-term warmth during the winter season Give up your bath or Turkish bath-sauna habit. Because long-term water contact alone, such as 10 minutes, can cause skin dryness, while washing with hot water every day can further increase dryness. For this reason, it is ideal to bathe 2-3 times a week, adjust the water temperature between 36-40 degrees and complete the bath in as little as 5 minutes.
Set the room temperature between 21-25 degrees
We use central or local heating devices in closed spaces during the cold winter months. However, as we try to warm the environment, we also reduce the humidity. For your skin health, it is important to keep the room temperature between 21 and 25 degrees and adjust the humidity rate between 30-50 percent. By using room thermometers, you can better adjust the ideal temperature and humidity.
Do not scrub your skin
As much as the temperature of the bath water, while washing. The products you use are also important for your skin health. Instead of chemical and drying agents such as soap and shower gels, choose gentle cleansers in creamy form. Dermatology Specialist Dr. Şule Albayrak has skin irritations such as scrubs and fibers during the winter months. He also warns that you should avoid materials that cleanse your skin, saying, "Instead, it would be more appropriate to apply body peelings with a moisturizing effect in granular form to your skin with your bare hands." In the summer months, as sweat, dirt and oil accumulate more on the skin, you can apply scrubs and washcloths not too often.
Apply the moisturizing product within the first 5 minutes.
Dermatology Specialist Dr. Şule Albayrak points out that, contrary to popular belief, applying moisturizer to dry skin does not give the expected effect, and says, "It is best to apply moisturizing products within the first 5 minutes after each bath, when the skin is slightly wet."
Sun protection products. continue
Our skin needs protection from the sun in winter as well as in summer. Therefore, especially on sunny days, you must use sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 30! Also, on snowy days and before skiing, never forget to use sunscreen to protect yourself from sunburns that may be caused by sunlight reflecting from the snow.
You cannot go without a scarf and gloves
On cold and windy days, Don't forget to use a scarf to protect the especially sensitive mouth area. Also, instead of applying a layer of moisturizer to your hands before leaving the house; It will be more beneficial to use non-wool fleece, leather or suede gloves.
Avoid peeling and facial scrubs
Dermatology Specialist Dr. Şule Albayrak states that facial cleansing twice a day with warm water and a cleansing cream, foam or gel suitable for the skin structure is sufficient and offers the following suggestions: “Dry skin in winter months; Those with very dry and sensitive skin can choose moisturizers, while those with oily skin can choose moisturizers for combination and sensitive skin. A moisture mask can be applied or moisturizing cosmetic applications can also be applied. Peeling or peeling methods that will dry the skin should not be preferred. It is also beneficial to take a break from facial scrubs in order not to increase sensitivity.”
Apply protective ointment to your lips
During the winter months, cold, wind, frequent washing of the mouth, and trying to moisturize the lips by licking them because they are dry. and can increase eczema. Therefore, apply oil primer to your lips several times a day. Do not forget to apply moisturizing balms and use products with protection factor on sunny and snowy days.
Washing your hands 4-5 times is enough
As in other seasons, when doing your daily cleaning in winter, instead of liquid soap, wet wipes, cologne or hand disinfectants due to their high chemical content; It would be better to choose solid soaps with glycerin and moisturizing properties. Remember to use warm water, not wash hands more than 4-5 times a day unless necessary, and apply oil-based and long-acting moisturizers after each hand wash. It is also very important that you stay away from chemicals that irritate the skin such as detergent, bleach, salt solution, or use gloves.
Vitamins A, C, E are a must.
Red foods contain beta carotene. Orange foods show high antioxidant properties thanks to lycopene. For this reason, it is very important to consume red orange foods such as apples, oranges, carrots and pomegranates, which are suitable for the season during the winter months, dark green leafy vegetables due to their antioxidant properties, foods that give shine and moisture to the skin, such as coconut and avocado. Also, make it a habit to drink 2 liters of water daily, although it is not enough to moisturize the skin on its own.
Use separate products for face and body
“The most important thing you need to do to moisturize the skin is "The thing is to choose the right product and apply it correctly," said Dermatology Specialist Dr. Şule Albayrak continues her words as follows: “The moisturizer to be chosen for the face and body should be in different forms. Because although there are skin options such as dry, combination, oily and sensitive for the face, our body generally tends to dry out more because the hair-oil unit is less. Dryness gradually increases from the body to the arms and legs. Therefore, the moisturizer to be chosen for the body should be oil-based products that can retain moisture for a long time. If there is a tendency to sensitive or atopic dermatitis (inherent eczema), moisturizers specially produced for these skin types should be preferred. is also important. Prevent skin from sweating and increasing dryness It is a good idea to choose soft cotton clothes that help the skin retain moisture, instead of nylon, synthetic and woolen clothes that cause acne. In addition, since thickly woven single-layer clothing may cause you to sweat, be careful to wear several layers of thin clothing and reduce or increase the number of clothing depending on the temperature of the environment.
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