We all love that post-holiday glow – a little sun-kissed colour that says, I just got back from paradise. But for many of us, the dream bronzed look turns into an all-too-familiar holiday souvenir: red and irritated skin. So, we’ve asked an expert for her top skincare hacks to keep you glowing (and not peeling) on your next trip.
Meet The Expert: Dr Dilshaad Asmal, a Cape Town-based dermatologist and member of the Cape Advanced Wound Care Unit panel.
How To Deal With Sunburn
Nothing ruins a great holiday quite like sunburn. While a sunburn might seem like a temporary problem, it actually has long-term effects. Chronic sun exposure leads to premature ageing (wrinkles), pigmentary issues – and can also cause skin cancer. According to Mayo Clinic, sunburns can take several days or even closer to a week to heal but every sunburn is different. In the meantime, here are some tips from Dr Dilshaad Asmal.
READ MORE: Your Hair Loss Might Be Caused By The Summer Sun. Here’s What You Need To Do
How Does One Treat Sunburn?
- Use a gel with aloe vera or soy to help soothe the skin
- Take an oatmeal bath
- Apply calamine lotion
- Keep the skin hydrated with a moisturiser.
- Avoid oil-based or petroleum lotion
Aloe Multi Rescue Gel
How To Deal With Peeling Skin?
- Take cool showers or baths
- Pat your skin gently with a towel after bathing
- Wear soft fabrics
- Don’t exfoliate
- Take oral anti-inflammatory drugs
What Can You Do To Prevent Sunburn?
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 UV
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours or more often, if swimming
- Stay in the shade, especially during peak times (between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.).
- Wear protective clothing; check for the UPF rating (Ultraviolet Protective Factor).
- Wear UV-blocking sunglasses
READ MORE: The Everything Guide To Eczema
Angry Heat Rash Throwing You For A Loop?
Your new holiday spot got you feeling scratchy and stingy? We’re low-key flexing: here’s the solution.
Heat rash creeps up on you during humid and hot weather. It happens when sweat ducts become clogged and sweat gets trapped, sparking a fine, bumpy rash that often feels like it’s itchy. It will typically appear on sun-exposed areas, such as the hands, face and neck. But it can also occur in skin folds, like your breasts, armpits or groin or where your clothing rubs up against your skin and causes friction.
Dr Asmal recommends that you “first cool yourself down with cold compresses and use fans or air conditioning.” If you have a strong flare, use over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams or oral antihistamines which can relieve itching. For daily use, try a wash that contains lavender, chamomile, rose, tea tree or geranium, which have anti-inflammatory properties. “Avoid oily or greasy moisturisers and sunscreens that can block pores,” advises Dr Asmal.
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