Pollution and skincare: Simple tips to rejuvenate your skin

Indulging in Diwali festivities in India means binge eating sweets and heavy meals, which usually contain a high amount of oil or ghee, and an increased exposure to highly polluted air and dust due to cleaning and burnt crackers. Though fun, these do end up altering one's skin conditions; seasonal weather changes and use of make-up for long hours further add to the impact.

According to Dr Subodh Sirur, consultant dermatologist, Masina Hospital, Mumbai, glycemic food stuffs like sweets and dairy products can lead to acne breakouts. The generous (mis)use of oil based cosmetics can only worsen the situation. "Moderating the indulgence in high glycemic foods and picking the right type of cosmetics will help avoid any undesirable impact on the skin," says Sirur.

Dr Poorva Shah (MBBS, MD Skin), consultant medical and aesthetic dermatologist, adds that a high-sugar and processed-food diet can cause inflammation, acne breakouts, and premature skin ageing. Moreover, while dairy can be healthy, excess consumption of dairy products during the festive season can cause pimples, whiteheads and blackheads among acne-prone people.

Moreover, festive season can lead to stress-causing situations for people, who are swamped with multiple duties, at home and work and also for those, who experience festive loneliness or disassociation. Shah says stress can activate your immune system, causing inflammation and excess oil production, ultimately leading to pimples on the skin.

Shah states acne, pigmentation and sunburns are the major skincare problems faced by people during the festive season:

Acne: The most common skin disorder that arises during this time can be stressful for many adolescents and adults. Acne is caused by clogged hair follicles and oil glands of the skin, which are frequently triggered by hormonal changes. The skin condition encompasses not only pimples on the face, but also blackheads, cysts, and nodules.

Skin pigmentation: According to media reports, the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi and Mumbai worsened during the first day of the festival. In some parts of Mumbai, the PM 2.5 increased to over 270 in some parts of the city. Pollution caused by Diwali firecrackers can linger in the air as airborne particulate matter. They can get into your skin's tiny pores, causing problems like dull skin and hyperpigmentation.

Sunburns: This is caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or sunlamps. The skin becomes red, painful, and hot to the touch, and it may even peel off. The first step in treating sunburn is to seek shade, preferably indoors, and to cool the skin.

Due to a hectic schedule during festivals, people often miss out on following their regular skincare routine. Due to changes in the diet and external conditions, one may have to take additional measures for a short period to get back to their regular routine after the festive season.

Shah and Sirur suggest following tips to detox skin post-Diwali:

1. Deep cleanse: Our skin requires deep cleansing, scrubbing, and toning following the Diwali festivities.

2. Gentle cleansing: The pollution is on the high and the use of a gentle cleanser twice a day will remove the dirt and the pollutants from the surface of the skin. This followed by the use of a toner to tighten the pores of the skin makes the skin look fresh.

3. Right moisturiser: The next step would be the use of a moisturiser. Be certain to check what suits your type of skin the best before choosing a moisturiser.

4. Hydrate: Increase the amount of water you consume. Maintain healthy skin by eating a well-balanced diet and getting enough sleep. That's why it's called beauty sleep! Allow your skin to regenerate by avoiding alcohol. This aids in the detoxification of your body and skin, as well as the removal of toxins.

5. Exfoliation: Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells using physical or chemical scrubs. Physical scrubs should be avoided by acne-prone skin because they can cause micro tears and sensitization. For chemical exfoliation, AHA and BHA-based products are the best options and should be used no more than twice a week. The concentration of AHA/BHA should be determined by your dermatologist.

6. Facials: Indulge in medical-grade facials such as hydrafacials, which are multi-step facial treatments typically performed with a HydraFacial machine. Aestheticians use the HydraFacial (device) in a single session to cleanse, exfoliate, extract, and deliver a variety of rejuvenating serums, leaving your skin glowing.

7. Avoid makeup: After Diwali; avoid wearing makeup for a few days to allow your skin to breathe.

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