Cold comfort

For many people,the cold clear days of winter bring more than just a rosy glow to the cheeks. They also bring uncomfortable dryness to the skin of the face,hands...

Let your skin and hair not bear the brunt of the chill

For many people,the cold clear days of winter bring more than just a rosy glow to the cheeks. They also bring uncomfortable dryness to the skin of the face,hands,and feet. For some,the problem is worse than just a general tight,dry feeling. The skin gets so dry that it results in flaking,cracking,even eczema in which the skin becomes inflamed. Another important enemy in modern city life is the wide range of pollutants that precipitate in what we call the winter smog. These pollutants not only darken our skin,the dirt particles clog the skin pores and do not allow the skin to breathe. In the process the skin shrinks and one looks older. Dr Vikas Sharma of the National Skin Hospital says that dry skin is often worse during winter when environmental humidity is low (winter itch) and so,fine lines in the skin become more visible and the skin feels rough and appears dull and flaky. Dry skin results when there is not enough water in the topmost skin layer for it to function properly. As the stratum corneum dries out it shrinks and,as it shrinks,small cracks can occur. This exposes the underlying living cells to irritating substances and germs in the environment, the doc says dry skin isnt a medical worry,but serious cases can result in cracks and fissures that invite infection and inflammation.

To protect your skin this winter,take a shower in warm rather than hot water as hot water whisks away the fatty substances in the skin that help it retain water. Prefer using mild,less drying soaps or cleansing lotions and after a bath,quickly and gently pat the skin partially dry with a towel!. Within three minutes of getting out of the water apply a moisturizer to seal the water in the skin before it can evaporate. Lotion moisturizers which are suspensions of oily chemicals in alcohol and water are are least greasy and sunscreen,according to experts,is a must. They also suggest turning down the thermostat as hot air is drier than cool air and using a humidifier to help put moisture back in the air. Keeping the skin internally healthy by drinking loads of water,having juicy fruits and vegetables is essential.

Naturopath Ria Mehta advises cleaning the skin with green gram powder paste instead of soap to leave the skin soft and supple skin. Applying coconut oil on the body to get rid off dryness and chaps and will provide extra softness. To retain the lost moisture from bathing,add a few drops of oil to the water that would be used in bathing and to pamper your legs,add a few oil drops in the water and soak your legs in this water. Butter can be applied to get to cure chapped lips, adds Ria.

To rehydrate dry scalp massage with a good hot coconut oil massage. The rubbing and massaging,as per the Parachute Advansed research,rehydrates hair and provides it with much needed moisture. A pre-wash coconut oil massage reduces protein loss from the hair by about 28 per cent and oil should be left in the hair for an hour before shampooing it. Regular use of oil forms a coat on the hair and prevents moisture from escaping,restoring sheen,preventing flaking and itching.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram