Weather changes can mess with one’s skin and hair. According to Best Dermatologist in Delhi for Skin and Hair, Dr. Nivedita Dadu, adverse changes in the skin and hair can more likely be because of seasonal shifts. In the winter months, the cold and drop in humidity can hit one’s skin and even lush and lustrous hair differently than the hot and humid weather in the summer months.
Winter season can take a toll on skin and hair in several ways. The cold weather outside coupled with using heaters at home and taking hot showers can wreak havoc on one’s skin and hair by snatching away their moisture. Even so, this can be distressing, especially if one doesn’t change their skin and hair care regimen and neglect the winter skin and hair concerns. If one’s place of living is familiar with extreme seasonal changes, this information provided is worth a read!
Continue reading to know about some common winter skin and hair woes and how to address and prevent them. If noticing worsening of any skin or hair concerns, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist, as they can recommend appropriate products and treatments that can help the skin and hair to regulate themselves and return to a harmonious and appealing state.
Winter months have very little humidity in the air. As the lips have thin and sensitive skin, they are mostly affected by dryness and look chapped. Anyone can have them, but it’s more likely if one takes retinoids, lithium, vitamin A supplements, or chemotherapy.
Chapped lips can easily be prevented or taken care of by applying lip balms or moisturisers with SPF. Along with it, drinking plenty of water is a must. One can even use a humidifier at home.
Dry and itchy skin patches can be characterised by redness, scales, and itching with small cracks in the skin. It may not sound like a serious skin concern but it can get painful if ignored. However, it can be prevented and cured with minor lifestyle modifications like using a rich moisturiser before going to sleep at night and after pat drying the skin with a towel after a bath when the skin is still a little wet. Moisturising soaps or bathing gels are best to be used instead of harsh soaps. One must take a bath or shower in lukewarm water instead of hot water.
Cracked heels, also called fissures of the skin, can occur in winter when dry air steals moisture from the skin and makes the dead skin cells around the heels likely to harden and crack. To heal cracked heels in winter, lubrication is the key. Dermatologists recommend the use of rich moisturisers, natural oils, butter, or foot creams before going to bed. For keeping the heels moisturised all time, socks with medicated cream or gel socks can be worn. A pumice stone or loofah can be used to gently scrub off the dead skin cells from the cracked heels.
In winter months, the skin gets dry and the body responds naturally by producing more sebum/ natural oils. Excess sebum leads to the clogging of pores and eventually acne breakouts. Moreover, with little intake of water, acne can flare up.
Chafing is a common skin problem wherein the skin epidermis (outer skin layer) is subjected to repeated friction, resulting in exposure and damage of the skin dermis (lower skin layers) which makes the skin feel uncomfortable and irritated. It can even happen in cold and dry weather.
Chafed skin must be kept clean by taking shower once a day in lukewarm water. Antibacterial soap should be used for cleaning to reduce the risk of bacterial infections. After washing, the skin must be pat dried and a moisturiser must be applied and smoothly massaged. The use of barrier cream or medicated powder is a great idea to quickly heal the chafed skin.
The lack of moisture in the skin during winter can make the skin dull and lifeless. However, it can be rejuvenated by avoiding harsh cleansers, use of vitamin C and E products, use of sheet masks, cream blushes, and highlighters; chemical and physical exfoliators, and natural oils, and by following the right night-time routine.
When there is prolonged or too much exposure of the skin to the cold air in winter, the skin can get dry due to the loss of its natural moisture and oils. If not treated, the skin may turn red or get irritated. Moisturisers can help soothe winter rashes. The natural hydration of the skin can be locked in by applying natural oils such as almond and coconut oil. A humidifier can be placed at home to keep the surrounding air humid at home. When irritation persists, dermatologist-recommended treatments can help.
The chilly air in wintertime can make one lose a lot of hair strands. This is because of the dry scalp and hair that result in the weakening of hair roots and further hair damage, breakage, split ends, and hair loss. Dandruff also contributes to more hair fall. To revive hair in winter, it is important to keep the scalp skin moisturised. This can be achieved by giving scalp hot oil massages regularly, not washing hair with hot water, avoiding heat hairstyling, eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and taking proper sleep.
Frizzy hair refers to the misaligned hair fibres giving a rough feel because of the raised hair cuticle that allows moisture to move out of the hair shaft and swell the hair stands. It is most often seen in winter when there is a dip in temperature and a dry winter breeze and people end up taking hot showers as well as constantly shuffling between cold weather outside and warm indoors that strips moisture from their hair. However, by concentrating on bringing moisture back into the hair they can recover. To prevent frizzy hair, the scalp must be nourished with oil, hair washing must be less frequent, a deep hair conditioning mask must be applied at least once a week, and after wash, hairs must be hair dried instead of using blow dryers. It's best to step out by covering hair with silk cloth or use a silk pillowcase to avoid winter frizziness by reducing static in the hair.
The dry and cold air in the winter season can steal the hydration and shine from the locks. As a result, the hair begins to get brittle, look limp, and has a lot of split ends. To avoid them, one must keep trimming hair frequently, not step out in the cold when hair is slightly damp or still wet after head wash, not use a burning-out hair dryer, and dry hair by wrapping it in a microfiber towel.
Dry cold weather in winter sucks out all the hydration from the scalp, which in turn makes the scalp unhealthy, smelly, and itchy. To combat dryness, the scalp becomes too oily which causes the skin on the scalp to flake- a condition called dandruff. Daily use of mild antifungal shampoo can help control itching and flaking.
Changes in the season bring changes in the skin and hair health and even welcome several dermatological issues. If one is feeling discomfort and wants to get an effective treatment for all these issues, book a consultation now with the expert and Top 10 Dermatologists in Delhi, Dr. Nivedita Dadu at Dr. Nivedita Dadu’s Dermatology Clinic.