What are the effects of heat on the skin?

The appearance of heat rash

heat rash occurs during hot and humid periods. These are small red pimples, which can be located on different parts of the body. We see them appear when the sweat glands of the skin become blocked: the sweat is then trapped under the surface of the epidermis.

 

In question ? Wearing tight clothing, physical activity, excessive sweating, or even a humid environment.

 

heat rash is benign and disappears on its own. To prevent their appearance, you can wear light, loose clothing when doing sports, to allow air to circulate better and the skin to breathe.

 

If the pimples are already there, take warm showers rather than hot, to soothe the already irritated skin, and be sure to apply body lotion to reduce inflammation.

 

Dehydration of the skin

When it's hot, the skin becomes dehydrated. Exposed to high temperatures, the body sweats more in order to evacuate heat and thus regulate our internal temperature.

 

To achieve this, it evacuates a lot of water: the epidermis then dehydrates easily, and the skin becomes dry, dull and less elastic.

 

Dehydration also manifests itself in uneven skin tone, acne spots, and enlarged pores. The skin tends to itch after a shower, it feels tight and itchy.

 

To overcome this problem, it is essential to maintain good body hydration :

• Drink at least 1.5 L of water per day, throughout the day;
• Avoid hot showers;
• Opt for moisturizing treatments . Grangettes regenerating body milk combines hydrating ingredients such as hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, prunus armeniaca (apricot), squalane (olive) and dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline for deep, long-lasting hydration. For the face, opt for Grangettes moisturizing and soothing cream , which contains hyaluronic acid, olive squalane, Allantoin and betaine. It is ideal for deep hydration, and will be a real ally against the effects of heat on your skin!

 

Increased sebum production

Heat stimulates the sebaceous glands, which increases sebum production. Excess sebum can clog pores and promote the appearance of imperfections such as blackheads or pimples .

In dermatitis

Dermatitis is a common inflammation of the skin, which can cause irritation, red patches and itching. This rash skin caused by heat mainly appears on parts of the body that are covered by clothing.

 

The symptoms of dermatitis vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Beyond the redness and intense itching, we can also observe blisters or vesicles. The skin is dry, scaly, it swells, and gives rise to sensations of tingling and burning.

 

To treat heat-related dermatitis, you can apply moisturizers to keep the skin moist. This gesture will also allow you to prevent itching.

 

Also be sure to avoid any triggers. To do this, try to identify the substances that cause dermatitis (allergens, irritants, etc.).

 

In order to calm the condition and relieve the inflammation, the doctor may prescribe creams, antihistamines or immunomodulators.

 

Be sure to use gentle, fragrance-free care products with a clean, irritant-free composition. Grangettes Switzerland cosmetic products exclude from their composition harmful substances such as phenoxyethanol, parabens, silicones, PEGs, irritants, allergens, comedogenic ingredients, petroleum derivatives, endocrine disruptors and pollutants.

 

Edema in the extremities

Also known as "fluid retention", edema in the extremities is caused by extreme heat and manifests itself by swelling of the ankles, feet or hands.

 

This problem mainly affects people who are not acclimatized to high heat.

The risks of sunburn

It's impossible to talk about the effects of heat on the skin without talking about sunburn. The sun's rays, particularly ultraviolet (UV) rays, are in fact more intense during periods of high heat. Exposure without protection, even rapid exposure, can cause sunburn which damages the epidermis.

 

Pigment spots

small dark spots, called sun spots, are caused by exposure to the sun and generally appear on frequently exposed areas, such as the face, neckline and hands.

 

As skin ages, the number of cells that produce melanin (called melanocytes) decreases. The remaining cells enlarge and distribute melanin in a more concentrated manner to certain areas.

 

Once the spots have appeared, exposure to the sun can also make the situation worse by making them darker.

How to protect your skin from the effects of heat?

The actions to adopt actually depend on your skin type: dry, oily, or combination.

• If you have dry skin : choose moisturizing products rich in nourishing active ingredients to compensate for water loss. Hyaluronic acid and squalane are powerful active ingredients that hydrate your skin long-lasting and deeply. Look for them in your cosmetic products, and apply them morning and evening, after showering;
• If you have oily skin : turn to non-comedogenic treatments to regulate sebum production. Favor light textures that let the skin breathe well;
• If you have fragile skin , opt for cosmetics and mineral sunscreens without allergens , perfumes or preservatives, in order to avoid skin reactions.

Ready to protect your skin from the effects of heat?