Winter skin and hair care and how to overcome them.
Dr Fatima Mohammed, Dermatologist, Bangalore
Common skin issues being faced in winter
Dry and itchy skin
Increased irritation due to soaps and fragrances
Chapped lips
Exacerbation of skin conditions alike eczema , psoriasis, acne and rosacea.
Increased incidences of cold induced urticaria, a condition in which itchy bumps develop on a patch of skin making it irritable
Keratosis pilaris that are tiny red bumps on the upper arm and thigh can get aggravated and itchy in winter.
Episodes of vascular conditions like Reynolds disease where the fingers get blue, cyanosed and painful.
Common hair issues being faced in winter.
Dry itchy scalp.
Increase in hair fall due to scratching and reduced blood circulation associated with cold weather.
Infections like bacterial folliculitis and fungal infections.
Exacerbation of scalp conditions like eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.
Tips and Tricks to combat winter skin and hair issues.
8 – 12 liters of water and fruit juices to hydrate and nourish your skin. Drink even if you do not feel thirsty; don’t be bothered about increased trips to the washroom
Exercise for at least 30 minutes 5 times a week. To boost the blood circulation which is crucial for general health as well as skin health
A healthy diet rich in vitamins A, C, B-complex,. Minerals like calcium and Zinc along with plenty of nuts and seeds to replenish the body’s resources of Vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids which play an integral part in the skin barrier –hydrating mechanism.
Keep showers short.
Use only Luke-warm water.
Change your skin care to soap free, fragrance free cleansers and body washes.
A cup full of bath oil or emollient to be added to bath water.
Apply a good amount of inert, fragrance free, non-comedogenic moisturizer immediately after bath on slightly wet skin, pat dry.
Use sulphate free, moisturizing shampoos and conditioners.
Hydrating hair masks at least once a week.
Keep the body warm with adequate thermals.
When outdoors keep skin and hair covered and protected with gloves, scarfs, sunglasses.
Use a non-comedogenic vitamin enriched moisturizer and a good sunblock even in winter. Although the sun’s rays are less intense the dry skin can cause deeper damage cumulating to faster ageing of skin.
Apply any virgin oil over entire scalp and hair at least once a week.
Use anti-dandruff shampoos a couple of times a week on the scalp and let it work for 3-5 minutes to rid the scalp of the scales and fungal infection.
Use an exfoliating scrub at least once a week on your face and body to remove al the uneven dry, dead skin build up that happens in winter followed by good deep hydrating collagen body butter.
