Written By: Debjani Arora | Published : December 2, 2015 6:26 PM IST
Winter is here, bringing dry skin and rough hair with it. Whether young or old, dry skin and hair can rob you of your natural glow, but it is possible to look your best with a little effort. Here, Dr Meghna Gupta, Cosmetic Dermatologist and Director at Delhi Skin Centre shares a few basic tips to keep your hair and skin healthy.
Avoid hot water bath: A hot water bath during winter is soothing but remember it can wash off the natural oil in the skin and make it dry. Hence, lukewarm water is better. The best thing would be to add some bath emollient, especially for elderly people. Half an hour of oil massage before shower can also help the skin retain moisture after bathing. White petroleum jelly is the best emollient for dry skin and is specifically effective for the aged people too. Know what is better a hot water or cold water bath.
Apply a moisturiser, always: Choose a good moisturiser to keep your skin well-hydrated and soft. Moisturise your skin at least twice a day. Pay special attention to the exposed parts like hands, feet, nails and lips. Chapped lips is very common, so use a lip balm or desi ghee (home remedy) to keep your lips soft and supple. Here are some ways to moisturise your skin naturally.
Switch to anti-dandruff shampoos: As the weather changes and becomes colder, it brings along with it one of the most common problems i.e., hair fall due to dandruff and dryness. So, use good anti-dandruff shampoo and a conditioner at least twice a week for a clean and healthy scalp. Know which of these seven bad habits is causing hair loss.
Avoid direct contact of woollens with skin: One of the most important tips for a healthy skin in winters is to avoid wearing woollens directly on skin. You should always wear cotton fabrics first so that your skin can breathe. In case of severe skin conditions like allergies, you should seek advise of a dermatologist on what kind of clothes you can wear to keep warm. Here are five beauty mistakes that you should avoid.
Don't chuck the sunblock cream: Winter isn't a time when you need sunscree, right? Wrong! Sunscreen is not just for summer, but it should be a part of daily routine throughout the year.
Eat your supplements: During winters, no matter what age you are, you need to focus more on a diet rich in omega acids through almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, soybeans etc., which play a crucial role in nourishing and stimulating growth of healthy hair and skin.
Image source: Shutterstock
For more articles on fitness, visit our fitness section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.For health related Q&A, click here!
