With the summer upon us it is really important that we take care and look after our skin . Our skin is the largest organs of the body and, oftentimes, it’s also the most neglected. Unlike women, men have traditionally kept it simple with their summer skincare, which usually involves washing the face in the morning and that’s it.
With global warming and the change in temperatures, it’s best to make sure your skin is protected during the summer so that it can do its job: protecting your body. Here at Glasgow Medical Rooms we thought it would be good to give you some tips on ways you can take better care of your skin in summer.
Skincare Products
Anti-pollution skincare products are turning out to be one helluva buzzword. With pollution increasing and not much being done about climate change, it pays to protect yourself from its dangers. This is where skincare products come in.
Skincare products, such as creams and lotions, can remove the dirt and grime that sticks to your skin during the day. Exfoliating removes deadskin and debris that clog the skin’s pores and improves hydration levels.
Prevent Heat Rash or Prickly Heat
The best way to prevent heat rash and prickly heat in the summer is to avoid situations of excessive sweating. This can be hard to do during those warm months, but using talcum powder or a good antiperspirant spray for the body should do the trick. Contrary to popular belief, antiperspirants aren’t just for your armpits, but can also be used on your feet, chest, back, groin, and hands. You might want to avoid using it if you’ve already got prickly heat or rash though.
Hydration
Staying well-hydrated is extremely important, especially once the temperature rises. Ensuring adequate hydration is crucial since our bodies lose water every day through natural processes such as perspiration and urine. This loss of water needs to be replenished for our body to function properly.
Drinking water helps in regulating our body temperature and plays an essential role in circulating nutrients throughout the body. In short, water works as a transportation system for the body. It is recommended that adults need to drink up to 8 glasses of water a day to stay healthy.
Sun & Existing Skin Conditions
Skincare products also include sunscreen that protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. The UV rays of the sun is one of the leading causes of skin cancer in both men and women, which is why a good sunscreen should be used to keep your skin protected.
Not using a sunscreen or sunglasses while out in the sun can lead to a pre-cancerous condition known as actinic keratosis, as well as cancerous conditions such as squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. You could also get skin lesions and mottled pigmentation. If you notice any dark marks on your skin, apart from a tattoo, it’s best to get it checked out by a doctor.
Moles & Melanoma
You may have noticed a few moles around your body, which is common in fair-skinned people. In fact, an adult may have up to 40 moles on their body, which is nothing to worry about. However, a mole could lead to melanoma which is a form of skin cancer. Common moles are brown, pink, or tan spots. These moles are usually symmetrical, but it’s important to keep an eye out for an atypical mole which has a higher risk of turning into melanoma.
Atypical moles are larger than a pencil head and oddly shaped. If you think you’ve found one or are still confused on how they look, don’t worry you can get in touch with us and we can arrange an early appointment to see one of our GP’s. We are a private medical practice that’s located in the city centre of Glasgow where you will find physicians who can help and guide you with any health issues.
