Summer Skin Care— As soon as the mercury crosses 42 degrees in North India, people have started resorting to home remedies to get relief from the heat. Videos of ‘ice facial’ and rubbing ice directly on the face are trending on social media. However, dermatologists have warned that excessive use of ice on the face without knowledge can damage the fine cells (capillaries) of the skin.

Summer Skin Care: Know these important rules before applying ice on your face in the scorching heat, experts warn

Heat, sweat and stickiness: why are precautions necessary?

In the heat of May and June, the sebaceous glands of our skin become more active. This causes excess oil and sweat to accumulate on the face, which ultimately causes acne and blackheads. Washing the face with cold water calms these glands and temporarily shrinks the pores. But experts say that people often apply ice directly from the freezer on their face, due to which there is a risk of ‘ice burn’.

Expert opinion: What do doctors say?

Precautions and Correct Method: Instructions for the General Public

In the last one week, cases of skin problems have increased by 30% in the OPDs of the main hospitals of the city. If you are also using cold water or ice for relief from heat, then keep these things in mind:

• Avoid direct contact: Do not rub the ice cubes directly on the skin. Wrap it in a handkerchief or thin cloth.
• Time Limit: Do not apply ice to face for more than 2 minutes.
• Cold water is better: Washing face with normal cold water 3-4 times a day instead of extremely chilled water is the safest option.
• Do not wash as soon as you come back from the sun: Do not pour cold water on your face immediately after returning home from the hot sun. Let the skin temperature return to normal first.

The administration and health department have also advised citizens to avoid direct sunlight between 12 and 4 pm and drink plenty of water to keep their skin hydrated.