It is essential to protect and hydrate the skin to avoid health complications. If you have dry skin, it is advisable to visit a dermatologist to choose the best moisturizer.

“It is important to moisturize the skin to maintain the natural barrier of protection that is our skin, which prevents bacteria, fungi, etc., that can damage us,” says dermatologist Patricia Giglio, from Clinica Ricardo Palma. To do this, you can appeal to the use of creams, ointments, emulsions that may have compounds of Vaseline, glycerin, ceramides, urea, lactic acid, etc., ideally after bathing. “If patients have very dry skin or any allergies or sensitive skin, it is recommended to see a dermatologist to choose the best moisturizer,” says the specialist.

Can sweating complicate the condition of our skin? “Excessive sweating secondary to heat in summer is called miliaria rubra or commonly known as heat rash; It is more common in young children and can be controlled with frequent bathing, wearing light cotton clothing and topical use of talcum powder or starches that prevent excessive sweating.” she says.

Be careful with the blisters. “They should be treated by moisturizing the skin with cold water or chamomile compresses; you can use emulsions or creams without fragrances that hydrate the affected area and topical use of corticosteroids, the latter under the indication of a dermatologist ”, she concludes.

Importance of taking care of our skin

• It is the season of greatest solar radiation.
• Sunburns are more frequent, which increase the risk of developing skin cancer, in addition to producing aging of the skin and generating the appearance of spots or wrinkles.

Heat impact

• Receiving sunlight helps us absorb vitamin D, avoiding rickets and osteoporosis.
• Helps by promoting blood circulation; In addition, it is the treatment of several dermatological diseases such as psoriasis.
• It helps by improving our body’s defenses by increasing the production of white blood cells, our defense cells.
• Regulates the sleep cycle by favoring the production of melatonin and the synthesis of serotonin, benefiting our mood, as well as many other functions.
• All this helps to improve our health, such as giving warmth and shelter.

Sun exposure

• Ideally, sun exposure should be before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. The hours of exposure depend on the age of the person, the type of skin, etc.

Sun block

• The use of sunscreen is essential for skin care. It should be applied every three or four hours during the day and consider that its use is affected by various factors such as perspiration, time, water, etc.
• Everyone from six months of age should use sunscreen. Children under six months should not be exposed to the sun.
• Ideally products with a sun protection factor (SPF) greater than 50.
• Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before exposure so that it is well absorbed by the skin. It should be reapplied every three to four hours.
• Young children should use sunscreens (lotions, creams, or ointments) based on sunscreen or filter, which are either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, or a combination of the two; adults can use physical or chemical filters or a combination of both.

Getting tan

• Skin tanning can be achieved by receiving sun according to the dermatological recommendations indicated on a regular and dosed basis; that is, skin damage occurs when we have sunburns, which is not the same as tanning.
• It is a myth to think that if we use sunscreen, we cannot get a tan.

Dr. Patricia Giglio
Dermatologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma

Source: Diario Perú 21