With temperatures touching 35 degrees and expected to rise higher, how do we beat the heat? Skin and hair care experts share some interesting facts and natural remedies to tackle the heat and to keep our skin and hair healthy this summer.
Skin care
“Although sunscreen helps, it may not offer sufficient protection from the harmful rays of the sun. It’s best that you cover yourself well when you step out, even if it means you have to use an umbrella, a wide rimmed hat or wear full sleeves,” says Dr. Sonny K Varkey, dermatologist practising at Skin Clinic, Atlantis, Kochi. “Sun rays contain
UVA and UVB, which are harmful ultra violet rays that cause a lot of skin problems like sun burn, skin darkening, photo sensitive dermatitis (eruptions due to sun allergy), urticaria and in the long term premature ageing of the skin and even skin cancer,” he says. It’s important that you use a sunscreen that offers protection. A minimum SPF of 15 is recommended.
Prickly heat rash or ‘miliaria’ is another common skin problem. An itchy rash which is often tender and sometimes painful, it is caused due to over sweating and makes one prone to bacterial and fungal infections. “It’s a myth that having a bath several times a day helps to reduce the problem. In fact, it aggravates it. Having a quick bath with minimal use of soap should help to control the same,” he says. Body odour is yet another concern. To tackle this, he advices washing your underarms well with soap while taking a shower (if not two).
Follow it up with the use of a good deodorant or prickly heat powder and a fresh change of clothes. Avoid spicy food, excessive consumption of non-veg, onions and garlic. A balanced diet with juicy fruits, vegetables with lots of fluids should help to cool your body.
“It’s advisable to carry a sunscreen and top up every few hours – in particular, sensitive to sun areas like nose and lips. Lips are particularly important as they have no melanin and are more prone to sun damage. Avoid wrinkles, premature ageing and excessive sun exposure by using a lip balm that has an SPF of 15 or higher”, says celebrity beauty expert Ms. Ambika Pillai.
“For oily skin, she suggests applying a mineral powder SPF on the face and neck as it would cut out excess oil. Using a face mask every night would help to strike a balance with the drying products. A light application of serum or lotion would suffice as a moisturiser. For dry skin, alcohol-free formulas work as they won’t further dry out already moisture starved skin.
How do we get rid of a sun tan? Ambika Pillai offers a natural home remedy. Mix a paste of carrot, coriander, tomato pulp and lime juice. If you have sensitive skin, limit use of lime juice to 2-3 drops and add a little honey. To this, add a little milk to get the consistency of bleach. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Wash your face with a mild cleanser or baby soap. Follow with a toner or cucumber juice. Apply cooled mixture to face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing with water and mild soap if required.
Hair Care
The scalp tends to sweat and get itchy in summer, but shampooing every day is not recommended. Pillai suggests a shampoo wash just 3 times a week. If it’s straight hair and an oily scalp, shampooing every alternate day using a mild shampoo would help. “Try shampoos that do not contain sulphates or parabens. Sulphates help the shampoos lather up and parabens are preservatives that irritate the eye. Both aren’t healthy. So go for shampoos that have natural cleansers and suit your hair,” she says.
“For those who have dry hair, treat or dye your hair sparingly. Its good to take a break from dyeing once in a while and give your hair a little breather”, says Ms.Pillai. “Dye sticks are a good option. It’s best to use natural or vegetable based hair colours if you must use them at all. The drawback is that they come in shades of orange, red or dark brown. They are safer than synthetic dyes,” suggests Dr. Varkey.
For itchy and painful boils on the scalp he suggests keeping hair clean with a plain water rinse everyday with use of mild shampoo during every alternate use. Pillai's home remedy—dip a thin cotton towel in a tub of diluted rose water. Let it chill in the fridge. Once cold, twist out the excess water and wrap the towel around your head. Repeat 2-3 times.
Style Check
Leaving your hair natural with a bit of texture in it is the style to sport this season.
While curly hair could use styling products that would cut out the frizz and enhance the curls, straight hair could use products like mousse that would hold your hair and give it a little texture.
