The winter season has already started in Mexico and the main characteristic is a drop in temperature. This is the time of year when jackets and thick clothing abound. During this period there is an increase in respiratory infections, although that is not all. It is also important to protect the skin from the cold because this organ quickly loses the water that it naturally stores preventively.
“The skin is the largest organ of our body and 70% of it is water, which acts as a protective barrier against the environment. The cold, the low humidity in the environment, the dry heat (which we sometimes use for heating), as well as some sudden changes in temperature, make the skin more vulnerable,” says Dr. Jatziri Chávez, director of the High Specialty Dermatological Center (CEDAE).
As a consequence, the skin becomes drier and more cracked than normal. In addition to presenting symptoms such as itching, burning, pain, redness or hives. Environmental pollution not only leaves impurities on the skin, but can also irritate it and cause some types of dermatitis or skin inflammation.
List of tips to follow
To avoid these reactions and protect the skin from the cold, the specialist in Dermatology advises following 10 basic measures. First of all, it recommends not taking more than one bath a day and that it should not last more than 15 minutes: “The ideal is to bathe in lukewarm water, since hot water can further dehydrate our skin and make it much drier.”
Another suggestion is to use mild soaps (preferably soap substitutes), or oil soaps, which help keep the skin much more lubricated. Immediately after bathing, the dermatologist Jatziri Sánchez recommends spreading cream all over the body, to take advantage of the steam on the skin and for it to have greater penetration.
“During this cold season, it is important to have creams at home that contain vitamin E, panthenol, ceramides, glycerol or propylene glycol, as these ingredients help our skin stay hydrated for longer periods. Likewise, using a cream with vitamin C helps to make the superficial veins less visible and the skin to look less red”, warns the director of CEDAE, with offices in the Roma and Satélite neighborhoods.
Contrary to popular belief, sun protection is also vital during winter. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) warns that even on cloudy days, ultraviolet radiation penetrates to the ground and reflects off surfaces such as floors, windows, windshields, and even snow.
“Radiation is especially aggressive on dry skin, therefore it is important to remember that sunscreen should be applied, even in winter, every four hours and preferably that it has a hydrogel base, so that it hydrates and does not add extra fat to the skin. the skin”.
Other areas of the body, such as the lips and hands, should not be neglected either. “You have to use lip balms to keep this area hydrated all the time, since it is one of the most sensitive areas of the face. We also feel a lot of dryness in our hands, especially due to the use of cleansing gels, so if the temperature is very cold, you have to use soft gloves, preferably cotton ones”, suggests the director of the High Specialty Dermatological Center ( CEDAE),
Lastly, Jatziri Chávez recommends wearing cotton clothing during the winter, since the rubbing of the skin with synthetic fibers can dry it out and irritate it even more. Even women and men can wear a cotton shirt underneath to protect themselves much more from the cold, as well as from any discomfort.