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Beat the heat

Survive the solar onslaught with some handy skin care tips

The piercing rays from the blazing sun can be a major hazard to your skin during the blistering summer months.

While the office or room air-conditioners give you the much-needed cooling effect, even a slight exposure outside under the sun can play havoc with your skin. And if you are out for long, hair turns dry and unmanageable too. Certain effective measures for the skin is a must.

Avoid the sun between 11 and 4. But for those whose jobs demand them to be outside, sunscreens are a must.

Sunscreen lotions should be applied 15-20 minutes before moving out. Selecting the ideal sunscreen lotion with the right percentage of Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is very crucial.

Says Satya Prema of a beauty clinic, “The lighter the skin, the higher should be the SPF percentage. ” For dark skin types, SPF 15 is an ideal choice. Accordingly, the lighter skin types should use high SPF contents up to 50.

Summer is a time to break free for children. “For children select a lotion with SPF 40,” she says. However, any sunscreen lotion should necessarily be water resistant and sand resistant.

Simple measures can help reduce skin tan quite effectively. Suggests Satya: “Use mashed banana with 2-3 drops of honey as a face pack once day. It works wonders on tanned skin. ”

For people who are more exposed to the sun, skin calming lotions that are readily available in the market help to reduce the harsh effects of the sun rays on the skin. To counter sunburns, skin relaxers or calming packs are an ideal solution. “But if the burns are severe, make sure you consult your dermatologist,” she warns.

Other than sunburn and tanning, this is also the season when pimples flare up. So, if you usually drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, drink 12 in summer.

Gorge on fresh fruits, especially citrus ones, and sip juices like muskmelon and watermelon. Your skin will thank you for that. Facial massages should be very mild during summer. In summer the pores tend to open up and skin looks oily. Hands and feet are as important as the face. Due to dehydration, they tend to get dry in summer. Proper moisturising with cream helps to keep it well-nourished. Fuss-free bobs or long romantic tresses, any type of hair needs special shield against the glaring sun. Summer sun and humidity can damage hair cuticle and result in dry, drab and frizzy hair.

Hair splits tend to develop very fast during summer. To prevent that, conditioning is very important. Dandruff problems surface as a big challenge during these months. It’s important to know the correct amount of water for a head wash.

NIVEDITA GANGULY

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