When water is warmer and your drinks are colder; and your hair goes frizzier and skin gets tanned. This means summers are definitely around the corner!
While every summer reminds you of the beautiful childhood memories of having popsicles and enjoying those cold showers. Apparently, it also reminds the fact that while the season shifts from winter to summer, perhaps, your body must too. Different seasons have different concerns. Scorching heat of summer certainly makes you uneasy in various ways; skin and hair most importantly. From sunburns to frizzy hair, summers may turn brutal to your body.
But summers are meant to be relished! So, understand the protective measures given below by heart to make your summers all about that golden vibe with amazing sunsets and ice creams melting in your hands!
Common Skin Problems
1. Sunburn
When your skin is exposed to the sun (UVA and UVB radiations) for longer durations, you might feel irritation, redness and even pain. This is known as sunburn. It is a kind of radiation burn to your skin.
Sunburn has the tendency to damage your outer (epidermis) or even inner layer (dermis) of the skin when left untreated for too long.
But don’t worry, your skin can recover from sunburn! Just follow the preventive measures given below.
Solutions
- Ice wrapped in a towel or a piece of cloth can be your go to solution to soothe sunburns. It calms the burning sensation in the affected area when used for about 10 to 15 minutes. You may also take cold showers as well.
- After using the aforementioned cold compress, your skin needs moisturisation. So, pamper your skin with a hydrating moisturiser with moisture locking ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
- If need may arise in the case of a severe condition, consult your dermatologist.
Preventions
- If possible, try to limit your hours outdoors especially in the noon and after hours. The sun is at its peak at this time in summer.
- Always and always wear sunscreen whenever you step out of the house. Sunscreens cannot stop sunburns to the fullest but can definitely act as a protective barrier to prevent the excess damage to the skin.
2. Tanning
Getting an uneven skin tone on your feet and arms and even face overexposed to the sun is almost every summer’s story! And you may hesitate to step out during the day.
Facts say that tanning is your skin's defence mechanism against the sun’s harmful rays. These rays trigger the excess melanin production which is responsible for skin’s pigmentation. Consequently, the bare skin under the sun gets a darker tone.
Sun tanned skin might seem stubborn but it is easy to manage and remove! We have got the right advice and solutions for you below.
Solutions
Nobody likes that uneven skin tone from tanning. Fortunately, it is possible to undo it. However, it takes time. This quick and simple home remedy from the ingredients in your kitchen can help you remove tan gradually.
- Mix a spoonful of Gram Flour (besan), Rose water, Honey, a pinch of Turmeric powder.
- Apply this paste on the areas you feel are tanned.
- Upon drying, rinse off with normal water and pat dry with a cotton based towel.
This mixture is loaded with the goodness of mild exfoliator from gram flour; skin refreshing properties from rose water; antioxidants from honey and skin healing and brightening properties from turmeric powder which makes it perfect for tan removal.
You may use this pack twice a week on the tanned areas to get rid of it naturally.
Preventions
- Apart from face, during summers, other body parts like neck, knees and elbows inevitably get tanned. It may even go unnoticed until you look at it carefully. So for this, you may use topical creams specially formulated with mild exfoliators and skin brightening and nourishing ingredients.
- Also, to prevent tanning, try to opt for tightly woven clothes that do not let too much light pass through them. And keep yourself covered from the sun as much as you can if you have a sensitive skin type.
- Make sunscreen your priority before going outdoors!
3. Extra Oily Skin
In a tropical country like India, summers can be extreme. Such hot weather can affect your skin in unwanted ways!
A gradual rise in temperature and humidity can trigger sebaceous glands on the face to produce excessive sebum leading to extra oily skin, suggests Dr. Melanie Palm, Medical Director at Art of Skin MD.
Here are a few ways to manage that oily luster throughout the day.
Solutions
- Do not overwash your face to remove that greasy layer of extra oil from your face. Instead, opt for a gentle and refreshing cleanser and use it twice a day. Overwashing can strip off moisture from your face encouraging excess oil production.
- Do not forget to moisturise your face after cleansing. Go for an oil controlling moisturiser that does not give a shiny appearance to your face.
Preventions
- If you are a fan of using makeup products everyday, and it is the summer season, try opting for water-based products. They are light on skin, avoid cakey appearance and control oil on skin under makeup.
4. Frequent acne breakouts
Summers are meant for ice popsicles; not acne popping on your skin!
Irregular oil production on skin pertaining to hot weather, dirt and pollution increase the chances of clogged skin pores. This can lead to frequent breakouts on your skin.
But don’t lose heart, these preventive measures can help you with seasonal breakouts.
Solutions
- Use an oil control face wash with ingredients like Zinc PCA with antibacterial and non comedogenic properties. This will clear your skin keeping acne at bay.
- You can also use a toner with ingredients like WitchHazel Extract to deeply unclog and refine your skin pores.
Preventions
- Try to stay hydrated throughout the day.
- Keep your skin breathing with lightweight and non-comedogenic makeup products, if you like wearing them.
5. Prickly heat (heat rash)
Scorching heat and unending urge to splash icy cold water onto your skin is all what comprises summer vibes!
The hot and humid weather induces sweating on your body and when sweat glands are clogged with excess sweating. This gives out stinging and prickly sensations also known as Heat Rash.
Solutions
- Apply something cold, such as a damp cloth or ice pack (wrapped in a tea towel) for up to 20 minutes on the affected area.
- You get this urge to scratch your skin rapidly but this should be avoided. It is better to tap or pat the rash instead of scratching it.
Preventions
- Do not use perfumed shower gels or creams as it will irritate the skin.
- Taking cold baths or showers can help relieve the inflammation.
- Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes as it will refrain the evaporation of the sweat encouraging more heat rashes.
7. Eczema flare-ups
Summers may not be the same for anybody who is dealing with eczema!
This is so because hot and humid weather along with sweating can cause irritation in the already affected area. Even the hot and dry winds in the summers can accelerate eczema flare ups.
Don’t be discouraged! We have tips for you to deal with the flare ups and enjoy the summer to its best.
Solutions
Preventions
- Resist the urge to scratch the affected area, and pinpoint your triggers.
- Try not to stay under the sun for longer durations.
- Dermatologists advise to stay alert of what irritates your skin and what not. It can be anything from environmental factors to food. Keeping a track might help you identify the causes and get respective solutions.
7. Increased Hyperpigmentation
It is hard to resist the outdoors, especially on those bright sunny days! But too much of anything can harm you.
Spending a long time out of the house and exposing your skin to the harmful rays of the sun can damage your skin. Excess of sunlight instigates over production of melanin leading to the formation of dark spots or patches on the exposed skin. This condition is known as Hyperpigmentation. If you are dealing with it already, the sun rays can rapidly hype it.
Don’t let your heart sink already. This may take a while, but hyperpigmentation can be reversed when treated rightly and religiously.
Solutions
- AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acids are mild chemical exfoliators that have the capacity to dissolve the dead skin and debris accumulated on the top layer of the skin. It also helps in cell turnover by inhibiting the growth of tyrosinase enzymes responsible for excess melanin production.
- Vitamin C is known for its anti-ageing, photoprotective, and skin brightening effects.
The above mentioned ingredients work really for Hyperpigmentation. You may use them in the form of serums, toners or cleansers.
Preventions
- Limit sun exposure as much as you can to prevent the worsening of existing hyperpigmentation.
- Wear sunscreen to avoid the sun rays harming your skin.
- Cover your face when you are outdoors.
8. Common Hair Problems
Ever observed your hair is frizzier in summers than in winters? Well, just touch them and have a look at them in the mirror. You will get an answer.
Apparently, summers are not just limited to taking care of your skin. Hair is equally important as they are also affected by sun exposure. Longer it is exposed to the sun, higher are the chances of hair cuticle damage.
This can make your hair go frizzy and lighter leading to split ends. Relax! We certainly have a solution for you to get those manageable hair you have always wanted in summers.
Solutions
- Switch to a sulphate-free shampoo to avoid build up on your scalp.
- Always use a moisturising conditioner after rinsing off the shampoo.
- Keep your scalp clean by washing your hair regularly.
- Extremely dehydrated hair are more prone to breakage and split ends. So, you should add a hair mask loaded with the goodness of proteins and humectants.
Preventions
- Rubbing your hair with a towel to dry it is essentially creating extra frizz. Try a microfibre cloth to squeeze out excess water from hair.
- Oiling rejuvenates your hair. So try massaging oils at least once a week before taking a head bath.
- Avoid the heat styling tools like blow dryers, flat iron, curlers and crimpers. They rip off the oils from your hair making them frizzy and dry.
- Try covering your hair when outdoors with scarves or bandanas to lessen the sun exposure directly onto the hair.
Final Takeaway
Just like you update your wardrobe every season, it is imperative you update your skincare routine as well. The products designed for the winter routine may not work efficiently in the summer.
And when the sun is at its prime in summers, it affects your skin rapidly. The skin damage might feel temporary but if left untreated is definitely going to trouble you in the long run. So it is wise to update your skin and hair care regimen along with preventive measures.
