Tips for looking after your skin in heat

Hi, I am Ammar Naeem. I recently started working in Dubai. Great company, great people but I have one problem, just one atm. I am absolutely not a morning person AT ALL, and my body agrees with me to a point that it doesn’t want to move.  But have to work so what you gonna do?. Anyway this post isn’t about my lazy self (more on this latter ;)), this post is about skin problems that people who just moved to UAE or the Middle East (like myself) may face. When you think of Dubai; what comes to mind? SUMMER HEAT that’s what comes to mind than SIMCITY on cheat codes. (Only very very few people will get this SIMCITY pun :( )

Don’t get me wrong Dubai is a great place, but its summers can be brutal on your skin. Staying out in the sun too long especially when you are not used to these high temps, you need to keep your skin protected and healthy. So what are some of the problems you can literally face?

• Too much sun exposure can cause the skin to become darker with uneven skin tones.
• Melisma.
• Freckles.
• Darkening of existing freckles.
• Pre mature skin aging.

How can I protect my skin?

Well the obvious answer can be; don’t go out into the sun (DUH). But that’s not the answer. Whether you are a working person or a stay at home mom, you have to go out, so following are a few daily things you can help protect your skin.

• When you get the chance always wash your face. Not necessarily with soap or scrub, just water will do. This will re-hydrate your skin.
• Don’t over use make-up. You will see a lot of women wearing a heck a lot of make-up. If you have to go out constantly and have to use make-up, use just enough for touching up (simple make-up).
• Use facial scrubs with papaya; it cleans the skin from dead cells and leaves the skin healthy with a fresh glow.
• Avoid going into the sun during 11:30am-5:00pm.
• Crank your windows a bit so the air can circulate even when parking inside or it will be like a sauna when you open the door.
• Apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before going out in the sun. The sunscreen should have a minimum SPF of 30+.
• You can also use anti-aging products. Especially look you products with ostrich oil or more conveniently use Age Defying cleansing tissues.

Ammar Naeem