How to save the skin of the hands and face from chapping

Prevention and effective treatment of chapping of the skin of the hands and face.

We all remember how, as a child, the frost on the cheeks pleasantly tingled while walking in the winter, but in adulthood we begin to be afraid of chapping of the skin of the face and hands. And this fear is quite justified, since the dry and cold wind causes peeling, irritation and other unpleasant phenomena. We will figure out how to avoid this and what to do if problems still appear on the dermis.

What causes skin chapping?

The skin is the largest organ in the human body, very thin and delicate, actively reacting to ultraviolet rays, temperature changes, and physical impact. In most cases, our dermis manages to restore the protective lipid layer in time and keep the amount of nutrients and the production of sebum (sebum) normal. However, with the onset of cold weather, our body often experiences beriberi, a lack of nutrients. In addition, cold wind with small ice particles damage the lipid protective layer of the skin. Thin capillaries also suffer, which narrow under the influence of cold and cease to provide all layers of the dermis with nutrients. As a result, our skin becomes vulnerable to low temperatures, and unpleasant symptoms of chapping appear. Weathering of the face in the cold in men can also be associated with another reason – frequent shaving, irritation after it, the use of poor-quality hygiene products and lack of care after shaving.

Symptoms of chapped skin

Due to the dry icy air, the dermis of the face and hands loses moisture and is quickly damaged. As a result, our skin becomes red, flaky and cracked, itching, burning, pain appear due to tightness of the integument, up to wounds and blood. In addition to obvious aesthetic problems, such skin gives unpleasant sensations, and pathogenic bacteria easily enter the body through microscopic cracks. This can lead to serious consequences, so it requires timely treatment. By the way, even in summer we are not protected from this problem: strong winds, sandstorms, boat trips on the river or sea, air sports – all this can also cause chapped skin on the hands and face.

First aid for chapped skin

If you come home and find the first symptoms of chapping, urgently take emergency measures to minimize the unpleasant consequences of skin damage.

• wash with warm water (not hot!);

• use mild cleansers (foams and mousses for washing);

• do not use scrubs and peels – this will further aggravate the situation, finally damaging the skin and destroying the lipid layer. Do not try to exfoliate the coarsened areas of the dermis – this will cause the appearance of wounds and blood;

• after washing, apply tonic to the skin. Do this with your fingertips, as a cotton pad can cause irritation and dryness;

• apply cream to the skin. Even a regular day cream that you use all the time will do. A fat nourishing cream will give a good effect, but do not use a baby cream, as it can clog damaged pores;

• do not smear vaseline and oils, because after 3-4 applications a dense indelible film forms on the skin. The skin under such a film feels like in a tightly sealed greenhouse – ideal for the development of bacteria and the appearance of rashes;

• after chapping and until the skin is completely healed, try not to use decorative cosmetics and alcohol-containing care products;

• drink plenty of water and eat right – this will help restore the water balance of the skin and saturate it with vitamins;

• In winter, due to central heating, the air in the rooms is very dry, use special humidifiers to maintain high humidity in the house.

Prevention of skin chapping

With the onset of cold weather, I want to somehow protect the skin from chapping and prevent the appearance of serious problems. So that even in winter in bad weather the dermis of the face and hands is in excellent condition, take the following comprehensive measures:

• 2-3 times a week, use nourishing and moisturizing masks (fabric or cream), which saturate the skin with vitamins and microelements. It is best to start a course of masks a few weeks before the onset of cold weather – this will create skin immunity and increase the resistance of the dermis to cold weather;

• do not use drying cosmetics containing acids;

• on the street, try to breathe only through your nose, as steam from your mouth settles on the skin and it is more likely to become weathered;

• half an hour before going out, apply a nourishing cream on the skin of the hands and face;

• do not allow beriberi, drink enough water and follow proper nutrition.

Winding of the child’s face

The skin of infants and young children is much more sensitive than that of adults, so the effect of cold on the dermis of babies is even more detrimental. Before going for a walk, try to cover the child’s face as tightly as possible, cover the stroller with the baby with a hood or blanket. In addition, be sure to apply special ointments and creams for children on the baby’s skin (adult cosmetics can cause irritation). Be sure to give vegetables and fruits to children in the cold season so that the young body receives all the necessary trace elements and vitamins.