Especially in winter, cold weather and wind affect our skin health negatively. Dry skin is one of the most common skin problems this season. Cold and windy weather damages the protective barrier of our skin. As a result, the water holding capacity of our skin decreases. Due to the loss of fluid in our skin, our skin begins to dry. Although dryness on the skin can be seen in almost every part of the body, it most commonly occurs on the hands, face and lips exposed to cold weather during the winter months. When our skin is dry, problems such as exfoliation, feeling of tension and itching develop, which negatively affect our quality of life. If no precautions are taken, more serious pictures such as wide and deep cracks on the skin, eczema, infection and allergic reactions may occur with the increase of dryness!
Acıbadem International Hospital Dermatology Specialist Dr. Şenay Ağırgöl, stating that the dryness of the skin should not be taken lightly, said, “If dry skin is not treated, eczema can develop, and the disease becomes active in people who have had eczema before. Severe dryness can cause the skin barrier to break down, making it a focus for infections. In addition, allergens can enter the body much more easily through the damaged skin barrier and trigger allergic reactions. Therefore, if the severity of the dryness on the skin increases despite the precautions taken, it is of great importance to consult a physician without wasting time. Dermatology Specialist Dr. Şenay Ağırgöl talked about the precautions we should take against the dryness of the skin during the winter months; made important suggestions and warnings!
Moisturize 2 times a day
It is very important to take moisture protective measures against skin dryness and to moisturize your skin frequently. Take care to apply moisturizing products 2 times a day and right after the bath, while the pores of your skin are still open. You can use moisturizing products containing urea, ceramide or alpha hydroxy acid after a warm bath. Also, choose moisturizing products with high oil content, which keeps the skin moist in winter.
Do not clean your skin with soap
Avoid using soap for skin cleansing. Because these products can increase the severity of dryness by removing the oil layer that gives moisture to the skin. Choose cleansing products that do not dry your skin, that is, non-alkaline. Avoid washing your face more than twice a day as the protective oil layer on the skin will be reduced.
Do not shower with very hot water
Make it a habit to take a shower with warm water, as very hot water increases the dryness of the skin. Dermatology Specialist Dr. Şenay Ağırgöl, “Also, do not take long and frequent baths. Taking a shower at least once a day will suffice. Moisturizers that you apply to your skin right after taking a shower can also help you keep skin dryness under control. says.
Pay attention to the humidity of the room!
Pay attention to the humidity of the rooms to prevent air dryness. Thus, you can prevent the aggravation of the dryness that develops on the skin. It is recommended that the humidity in the rooms be between 50-60%. Also, make it a habit to keep the room temperature between 21-25 degrees, as hot and cold weather aggravates skin dryness.
Wear clothes that ‘breathe’ the skin!
Choosing the right clothes in winter is also important for our skin health. Do not forget to wear a hat, gloves and scarf to protect your skin from the cold and wind. Nylon-style fabrics prevent the skin from breathing. For this reason, choose cotton clothes that provide air circulation and absorb sweat, and try to protect the moisture of your skin by wearing cotton gloves inside your gloves. Dermatology Specialist Dr. Şenay Ağırgöl stated that wearing cotton clothes against skin dryness prevents transepidermal water loss and said, “In protecting the integrity of the skin; It is important to keep the barrier function of the skin, sweating, fat cells and inflammation under control. Therefore, prefer breathable fabrics such as cotton fabrics in winter.” gives the information.
Do not consume excessively spicy foods
Excessively spicy foods increase sweating and cause dryness on the skin. Especially red pepper and black pepper are among the top spices that you should avoid.
Watch out for hot drinks!
In winter, we usually prefer to consume hot drinks. However, it is thought that hot beverages disrupt the barrier function of the skin through neural pathways and increase inflammation, and exacerbate dryness on the skin due to these effects.
Do not wear very tight clothes
If you have severe skin dryness, do not wear very tight clothing. Otherwise, the skin can be easily damaged due to friction. As a result, infections and allergies can be triggered and bigger problems can develop.
for lots of water
It is extremely important to maintain moisture balance for a healthy skin structure. “In addition to our measures to prevent external moisture loss, we must take care to consume the amount of water we need daily,” said Dermatology Specialist Dr. Şenay Ağırgöl, “The amount of water you need to consume daily; You can easily calculate your body weight (kg) by multiplying by 33 ml. For example, if you weigh 60 kilograms, you need to consume 1980 ml, that is, approximately 2 liters of water.”
Limit alcohol and coffee
Alcohol, coffee and tea cause water excretion from the body due to their diuretic effects. In order not to increase the dryness of the skin, you should consume such drinks in a limited way, and you should not neglect to drink a glass of water immediately after.
Source: (BYZHA) – Beyaz News Agency
