As we all know, the temperatures start to rise once June hits and we get to enjoy the lovely long days of summer! However, the longest days of the year are often the sweatiest for many of us. Sweating is totally natural and very necessary, but sweat will affect the overall health of the skin both positively and negatively. Learn more about how skin and sweat work together in the heat of the summer.
Why Is It Good for Us to Sweat?
Sweat is a very natural way for our skin to exfoliate and it can even help to decrease dryness in the skin, as well as other skin conditions. This happens because sweat contains minerals, salt, and urea. Sweating also rids the skin of bacteria, oil, and impurities, ultimately helping to detoxify and refresh the body.
According to New York-based board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Whitney Bowe, “Sweat contains natural alternatives to antibiotics called antimicrobial peptides. The specific antimicrobial peptide in sweat, dermcidin, is pumped onto the skin via the sweat glands and coats the skin, thereby providing protection against infection from other microbes and harmful germs.” Fascinating, right?
Longer Sweat Exposure Can Cause Skin Irritation
However, you need to be careful after a good workout or even if you’re out and about on a very humid day, I think most people living in New York City know how dreadfully hot the subway platforms can get and not so good things can happen if we remain sweaty for too long.
“Specifically, the ammonia and urea in sweat can cause irritation and inflammation if left on skin too long. The sodium in sweat can dehydrate skin if left too long on the surface, and the evaporation of sweat from skin can aggravate people prone to eczema,” Bowe says. Fungal infections can also become an issue due to the added moisture. When bacteria mixes with our sweat and gets trapped in our fabric, infections can occur.
Tips To Keep Skin Dry During the Summer
Battling the summer heat is tricky in the city, but there are some things that you can do to help keep your sweat levels at a normal level.
- Wear Lighter Colors That Don’t Attract Heat
- Choosing dark colors during the summer makes you a magnet for heat rays. Wearing lighter colors can help regulate your normal sweat during the summer.
- Choose Quality Workout Clothes
- If you have very active sweat glands, try wearing moisture-wicking fabrics while working out.
- Limit Time in Sweaty Clothes
- Remove clothes as soon as you can after a workout or once you get home from your commute, and shower immediately if possible.
- Carry a Personal Fan
- Keeping a battery-operated or handheld fan in your bag to use on the subway platform or as you walk will help keep your body cool on a hot summer day.
- Wear a Cooling Towel
- Consider wearing a cooling towel that helps wick away moisture and cools down the skin as it dries. Draping one around your neck helps keep your body temperature in check.
If you have any questions about helpful products that can be used during these warmer months or if you need suggestions for post-workout skin, never hesitate to reach out to DNA Skin NYC. Most skin conditions change with the seasons, so having a few skin consultations throughout the year is important!