With the cold weather and the decrease in the amount of moisture in the air with the winter months, when disinfectants whose use has increased during the pandemic process, our skin wears out quickly, and some skin diseases can be easily triggered. Acıbadem Dr. Şinasi Can (Kadıköy) Hospital Dermatology Specialist Dr. Süleyman İzzet Karahan said, “In winter, much more care is needed to protect the skin. Well; It is very important not to neglect to drink plenty of water during the winter months, to pay attention to sleep patterns and nutrition, to avoid smoking, to manage stress, to pay attention to the suggestions to protect the skin, and to organize the skin’s routine according to the winter. Dermatology Specialist Dr. Süleyman İzzet Karahan listed the 10 golden rules for a healthy skin in winter and made important warnings and suggestions.
REDUCE BATH TIME
Due to the decrease in the humidity in the air during this period, our skin will become more dry. In order not to dry our skin even more, let’s shorten our bath times if possible. In order not to further disrupt the natural barrier of our already dry skin, we should prefer gentler, oil-based cleansers if possible. If our skin is very dry, cleansers produced for atopic skin can be a good option.
MOISTURE YOUR SKIN
Since our skin will be vulnerable to the cold, rainy, windy and harsh conditions of the winter months, it is necessary to maintain a good moisture balance. During this period, thicker and stronger moisturizers should be preferred especially for our face and hands. We may need to repeat our moisturizers more often during the day. The most natural and most effective way to moisturize the skin is to drink plenty of water. For this reason, it is of great benefit to drink at least 2 liters of water during the day and not to wait for thirst during the winter months.
GET VITAMIN A INCLUDED
Dermatology Specialist Dr. Süleyman İzzet Karahan said, “With the decrease in sunlight, compounds such as retinol and retinaldehyde, which we cannot use in summer, can be used in this period. However, we should prefer these molecules, especially at night, as the sun can show itself from time to time during the winter months. Those in cream or serum form can be preferred. While using these products, we should pay attention to the use of sunscreen.”
REMOVE DEAD CELLS
AHA and BHA-derived chemical products such as glycolic acid, madelic acid, salicylic acid, azaleic acid can be included in our nighttime routine to purify the skin from dead cells. Thus, we can say goodbye to problems such as blemishes, wrinkles and lifeless appearance that occur on our skin due to the effect of the sun. Or, with the recommendation of your dermatologist, peeling procedures such as fractional laser and chemical peeling can be started during this period.
USE ANTIOXIDANT IN DAY
Despite the harmful effects of the environment and the sun, let’s not neglect to use antioxidants during the day. Vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid are among the antioxidants in the form of cream or serum that can be used during the day. These products protect our skin against harmful factors. In addition, we can protect our skin with antioxidant-rich foods such as carrots, green leafy vegetables and eggs.
DON’T FORGET LIP CARE
Especially in people with dry skin, cracking, irritation and bleeding can be seen on the lips during this period. In this period, let’s not forget to use moisturizer for our lips frequently. If we have a habit of licking our lips, let’s cut it. Let’s not pluck shield shells. Let’s not forget to drink plenty of water for our lips.
ADEQUATE AND QUALITY SLEEP
Dermatology Specialist Dr. Süleyman İzzet Karahan said, “Night sleep is a must for our skin. In a study, it was observed that participants looked more tired as a result of 2 hours of sleep restriction. Melatonin, which is secreted during night sleep, is a powerful antioxidant. Growth hormone released at night increases the proliferation of cells in our skin and triggers collagen synthesis. Insufficient sleep causes vasodilation, especially around the eyes, and increases the swelling around the eyes. Insufficient sleep raises blood cortisol levels, which leads to an increase in various skin problems.
AVOID SMOKING
Dermatology Specialist Dr. Süleyman İzzet Karahan “Toxins and free radicals in the content of cigarettes damage the subcutaneous collagen and elastin structure. As a result, premature aging occurs. Wrinkles become prominent and the skin sags. Especially around the lips, structures called cigarette lines are formed. The melanin in the skin increases with the effect of smoking. As a result, skin blemishes may increase. Apart from this, skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema and acne may increase with the effect of smoking. “We need to stay away from smoking for our skin and health,” he says.
LEARN TO MANAGE STRESS
Both short-term and long-term stress increase blood cortisol levels. Rising cortisol increases oil production in the skin. As a result, skin problems such as acne can cause more serious problems with the decreasing sun. Apart from that, too much stress can affect the barrier function of our skin. With the effect of the deteriorated barrier and dry air, our skin problems such as eczema may progress more severely.
EAT HEALTHY
Dermatology Specialist Dr. Süleyman İzzet Karahan said, “In this period, let’s pay attention to our nutrition in order to protect the health of our body and also our skin. Fish rich in omega 3 such as salmon, nuts, eggs rich in vitamins A and E, and foods such as carrots can be preferred during this period. Let’s also pay attention to the consumption of vitamin C, which is necessary for the production of collagen.