Ways to Keep Your Skin Protected Before and After a Swim

Swimming pools are a big part of summer fun, particularly in the UAE, where scorching temperatures are an everyday phenomenon. While swimming is a good exercise and a great way to wade off the summer heat, water in the swimming pool can also bring trauma to your skin.

It has been noted that the body is made up of 70-90 percent water, and the skin, the largest and most visible organ possesses 64 percent water. However, most swimming pools contain chlorine, which at most times suck out the water levels from your body, leaving the skin pale and dry.

“Swimming in a chlorinated pool can have detrimental effects on skin, because the chlorine strips your skin of its natural oils. Some people may even experience rashes or irritation post a swim, as the body loses its water levels. As such it is imperative that you keep your body hydrated before and after a swim to avoid serious skin problems,” said Dr Evana Janbeh, Dermatologist of CosmeSurge.

To ensure that your skin continues looking gorgeous while you enjoy the sport, here are some quick tips on keeping your skin protected before and after swimming –

BEFORE SWIMMING

Rinse Before Getting in the Pool: Experts suggest that having a shower before a swim may actually help to protect against absorbing nasty pool chemicals. If your skin cells are fully hydrated before you enter the pool, they’ll absorb less chlorine.

Keep Sipping Water: One of the best ways to ensure that your body doesn’t lose out water after swimming is to keep sipping water while you enjoy your swim. The skin is like a sponge, there is only so much water it can take on. And as long as it is moisturised, it’s not going to absorb excess amounts of chlorine.

Use a Waterproof Sunscreen: Using a waterproof sunscreen will form a protective barrier on top of your skin, keeping the chlorine from drying it out excessively. It will also prevent sun damage (and premature aging if you are a regular swimmer.

AFTER SWIMMING

Moisturise Your Skin: Apply a good moisturising lotion, preferably something with antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, after showering.

Opt for H20 Infusion Solution: Keeping your skin hydrated after a swim is extremely essential, and while it can take several hours to simply get back to a normal level of hydration by drinking water, H20 Intravenous (IV) Infusion therapy delivers water directly to your bloodstream, where it can go straight to the organs that need it most — including your skin. The essential vitamin in this therapy helps your skin produce those oils, which prevents loss of water through the skin. Perfect to replenish the balance of water and nutrients in your body, H20 Infusion treatment delivers a concentrated boost and keeps the skin looking hydrated.

Pick a Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment or Micro Needling: Platelet-Rich Plasma, is an organic treatment which uses plasma taken from the patient’s own blood instead of chemicals injected into the body and helps improves the appearance of wrinkles, scars, sun damage and even dark circles under the eyes. In addition, Micro Needling is another process whereby a device with small needles is pushed or rolled over the face and neck area to create controlled punctures, to produce collagen and elastin, that pushes the skin into repair mode.

Apply a Post-Swim Mask. A hydrating mask is another way to give your skin a much-needed boost after a swim. It not only helps repair the skin, but also serves beneficial for the body with its deep moisturising properties.