Summer Skin Care for Dry Skin: Let's learn exactly how to protect your skin from the sun!

Summer Skin Care for Dry Skin: Let's learn exactly how to protect your skin from the sun!

It's very common to sweat and get sunburned when you go out in the hot weather in Sri Lanka. We all love going to the beach and playing outside with our friends during this time. But have you ever thought about how this extreme heat, sun, and humidity affect our skin? Most of the time, we think, "Why do we need sunscreen for our pale skin? Only people with fair skin need it." But that's not the truth. No matter what your skin color is, sunlight can damage your skin. Therefore, we all need to take care of our skin .

What damage can the sun do to our skin?

Melanin is the pigment that determines our skin color. This melanin is a small protection that our skin naturally has. It's like an umbrella. But this protection is not 100 percent complete. Therefore, even those of us with dark skin are at risk of photoaging and skin cancer caused by sunlight.

Imagine being in the sun for a long time without any protection. Over time, these things can happen to your skin:

Damage caused by sunlight Simply put...
Wrinkling Premature wrinkling of the skin.
Pigmentation changes Dark spots such as age spots, sun spots (freckles) and melasma.
Decreased skin elasticity Sagging skin, loss of youthful appearance.
Rough, uneven skin texture The skin feels rough to the touch, not smooth.
Blotchiness The skin is not uniform in color, with patches of different colors appearing in different places.

When our skin is exposed to the sun, it produces more melanin to protect itself. This is why the skin darkens a little (tans). It also causes new spots and blemishes . Unlike fair skin, our skin may not look red when it burns. But the pain is still there. Continuously burning the skin like this is very harmful to the skin.

How exactly do you protect yourself from the sun?

The best way to prevent skin damage is to protect yourself from the sun. By protecting your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, you can control skin aging, reduce the risk of skin cancer, and prevent painful sunburns.

Covering the skin

One of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun's rays is to cover it with clothing. Wearing loose, lightweight clothing that is breathable and not constricting can help you stay comfortable and protect your skin from the sun. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and staying in the shade can also help.

Using sunscreen - this is a must!

You should definitely use a good sunscreen on all areas not covered by clothing.

Experts recommend choosing a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 or higher.

Now let's look at the types of sunscreen. There are mainly two types.

1. Mineral Sunscreens: These contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They create a physical barrier on the skin's surface, like a shield, that reflects the sun's rays. Sometimes these can make your skin look white, so you can choose a tinted one that matches your skin tone.

2. Chemical Sunscreens: These are absorbed into the skin and absorb the sun's rays before they can damage the skin.

Both of these types are very effective if used properly.

Keep these things in mind when using Suns CRE en:

  • Apply thoroughly to all exposed areas of skin 15-20 minutes before going outside.
  • Reapply every two hours .
  • Be sure to reapply after playing in the water, swimming, or sweating heavily.

Other skin care tips for summer

During the hot season, when sweat and oiliness combine, the chances of acne breakouts increase. So you need to make some changes to your skin care routine.

  • Choose lighter products: Instead of the heavy winter skin creams and body butters you use in the winter , switch to a lighter-weight lotion in the summer.
  • Use a gentle cleanser: Use a mild body wash or cleanser to remove sweat, sunscreen, and dirt that accumulates throughout the day. If you have dry skin, choose products that are suitable for sensitive skin. Stay away from products that contain heavy fragrances, as they can further dry out your skin or cause allergies.
  • Be gentle rather than scrubbing: It's normal to want to scrub away dirt and grime. But if your skin is dry or sensitive, physically exfoliating can damage your skin's protective barrier. Instead, using a mild chemical exfoliant, such as an exfoliating cleanser, once a week can help remove dead skin without damaging your skin.

Skin Cancer and Skin Cancer Risks

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world. Compared to people with fair skin, those with darker skin have a lower overall risk of developing melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

But, low risk doesn't mean no risk. The scariest thing is that if we develop skin cancer, it's often only detected after the disease has spread a little.

Therefore, regardless of skin color, we all need to pay attention to our skin. By being aware of new changes or suspicious spots on the skin, even cancer can be detected and treated at an early stage.

Here are some signs that dark-skinned people may have skin cancer:

Symptoms that require immediate medical attention
1. Dark spots, lumps, or patches that enlarge, bleed, or change shape over time.
2. Non-healing wounds or wounds that heal and recur.
3. New lesions on an old scar or on previously injured skin.
4. A rough and dry patch of skin that persists in the same place.
5. A dark line that appears under or around a fingernail or toenail.

If you notice any of these signs on your skin, please don't ignore them. See your doctor immediately. He or she can examine the area and, if necessary, perform further tests to determine if it is cancerous.

Take-Home Message

  • Everyone should use sunscreen, no matter what their skin color: Even fair skin can be damaged by the sun. Use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day.
  • Check your skin regularly: Be aware of any new spots, lumps, or changes in your skin. If you have any concerns, see a doctor immediately.
  • Choose summer-appropriate skincare: Use light lotions instead of heavy creams. Choose gentle products to cleanse your skin.
  • Seek medical advice if in doubt: If you have questions about your skin health or cancer risk, consult your family doctor or a dermatologist.

sunscreen, skin care, summer skin, skin cancer, melasma, photoaging, Sri Lanka, skin care, sun protection, skin cancer, sunscreen, freckles, Sri Lanka

💬 අදහස් (0)

තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.

ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න

කරුණාකර ගණනය කරන්න: 9 + 7 =