Lucija Kračun, MD
Specialist of family practise
AAAMED diploma for aesthetic medicine
Protect and pamper your skin! It’s particularly vulnerable now, facing the harshness of cold temperatures and biting winds outside, as well as the dry, heated air indoors. Nourishing and moisturizing it is essential to keep it healthy and resilient.
We are in a very special, magical part of the year and I hope that you find time as often as possible for active relaxation and socializing with your loved ones on the snowy slopes. Whether it’s skiing, cross – country skiing, sledding, skating or dunking, and creating snow sculptures with the youngest. And the bravest ones go to the high mountains for ski touring to indulge in the silence, the beauties of nature.
It is essential to engage in regular physical exercise and maintain proper nutrition before winter to ensure optimal physical fitness. Thoroughly inspecting our winter equipment is non-negotiable. Health and safety must always take precedence. However, we cannot afford to neglect the protection and care of our skin, our largest organ. Ignoring this responsibility can lead to problems such as redness, itching, and unpleasant peeling, which we should actively prevent.
But the fact is that in the winter the metabolism slows down and when moving from the cold to a warm apartment, the skin suddenly re – circulates, which can occasionally even cause capillaries to burst. However, if this is taken into account and properly cared for, the side effects of the cold can be prevented quite easily.
How? Let’s see.
"Winter" dermatitis
In winter, the skin is usually drier due to central heating, and cold and wind contribute to this as they accelerate the evaporation of moisture from its deeper layers. Dry skin burns, itches, and peels finely. It is also more sensitive to environmental influences and infection. It can become inflamed and sharply limited, and reddish spots called to appear. We call them “winter” dermatitis.
For protection and care, especially during winter activities, therefore, use deeply nourishing organic moisturizing serums, creams, and ointments that restore the two-layer protective lipid layer in the epidermis and thus provide maximum comfort to the skin. For lips, we recommend lip balm. It is essential that they also contain various moisturizing substances that bind water from the environment, such as urea, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera juice, ectoine ... Protect exposed areas, especially the face and hands, half an hour before leaving home.
Not enough time? Then we recommend to use sheet mask for face or eye patches for the eyes area.
Attention
In winter, it’s crucial to avoid water-based protective creams. The evaporation of water not only dries out your skin but can also lead to irritation. If your skin is particularly sensitive, it’s wise to stay away from nourishing creams with alpha-hydroxy or fruit acids when faced with low temperatures and wind. Exfoliating and using chemical peels can heighten this sensitivity, so proceed with caution. This is especially important for anyone dealing with atopic dermatitis or other skin conditions where the protective phospholipid layer is compromised. Take care of your skin this winter to keep it healthy and comfortable!
Engaging in winter sports and activities in the mountains is exhilarating, but it’s essential to prioritize protection against UV rays. These rays can cause painful sunburns and long-lasting health issues. Even though the sun’s angle is lower in winter, don’t be deceived—up to 85 percent of UV rays bounce off white surfaces, significantly increasing your risk of exposure. Safeguard yourself and enjoy the slopes responsibly!
In the high mountains, UVC rays from the sun can pose serious risks to your eyes, causing irritation and inflammation of the conjunctiva, often referred to as snow blindness. In extreme situations, this can lead to permanent damage. To safeguard your vision, wearing goggles is not just recommended—it’s essential. And remember, your lips need protection too! Don’t take any chances; prioritize your safety in these stunning yet hazardous environments.
Ordinary vaseline is enough to prevent them from drying out and cracking and igniting.
Food & beverage
Healthy skin should always be taken care of from the inside. Therefore, eat foods that contain unsaturated fatty acids (such as olive or flaxseed oil) and vitamins A (carrots, pumpkin), C (citrus, kiwi) and E (nuts), as they have a beneficial effect on skin regeneration. Also excellent are, of course, fruits and vegetables and fresh vegetable juices that detoxify the body, eggs, low – fat cheeses, yogurt with fresh fruit and skimed milk. Meat, poultry and fish are the best from the grill, let’s have a vegetable side dish. Heavy and rich foods that overload the liver and cause digestive problems, as well as starchy products, should be avoided if possible. We prefer to eat cereals in as little processed form as possible. Eat at a certain time and chew well.
Fresh air & physical activity
No big deal then, if it’s cold. Nevertheless, spend as much time outside, in the air full of oxygen, which is needed by both our skin and the body. Especially climbing a hill, a long walk, running, cross – country skiing, skiing or something similar will not force you to take deep breaths. We also regularly ventilate our apartments, as they are warm, dry and full of stagnant air. Do not forget to check humidity in your house since it is usually very low during winter!
Even if we fail to move outside, we do not neglect regular blinking. It will help the body to relax and cleanse itself of waste toxic substances, otherwise it will be deposited in various parts of the body, including the subcutaneous tissue. And the consequence? Gray, colorless, sagging skin. Its elasticity and tension must always be maintained.
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