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In our world of ozone holes and SPF-30 sunscreens, most
people have come to think of the sun as a formidable enemy of the skin.
Many doctors consider visible signs of aging of skin on fair-skinned
people -- leathery texture, wrinkles and age-spots, for example --
mainly the result of ultraviolet radiation. Yet the sun, besides
being the source of energy for mind and body, also nourishes the skin.
It's the best natural source of Vitamin D, which is necessary for
calcium absorption and healthy bones. Many doctors today recommend
15 minutes of direct exposure to gentle sun on the hands and face to
absorb the minimum daily requirement of Vitamin D.
Over-protecting from sun is not a good idea. The challenge is to
maximize the benefit from sun and at the same time protect it from
damage.
People with Caucasian skin definitely should avoid direct exposure to
strong sun, because their skin makes less melanin, the pigment that acts
as a barrier to UV rays. However, short periods of exposure to very
early morning sun are soothing and mild on the skin, and allow even very
sensitive skin to absorb necessary Vitamin D.
From the ayurvedic perspective, it is important to avoid long exposure
to the sun whenever you are angry, hungry or emotionally upset, as these
factors increase Pitta -- the fire element -- in the body and make the
skin even more sensitive to sun damage. At these times, it's
important to protect yourself by wearing a hat, protective clothing
(full-sleeved shirts and pants, for example) and sunglasses. People with
naturally more Pitta in their bodies should always take care to protect
themselves from the midday sun.
Dietary Tips
It's also a good idea to cool the body from the inside if your skin is
very photosensitive. Eating green leafy vegetables and fruits such as
raisins, sweet juicy pears, sweet apples, and pomegranates, for
instance, will help nourish and restore balance to the skin.
Indian Gooseberry is also an excellent anti-oxidant and rasayana for the
skin. Rose petal jam, blended with boiled and cooled milk, is a
delicious cooling beverage.
Cooking your food with a skin-protecting spice mixture to stimulate
digestion but not overheat your skin helps. Sauté equal parts
turmeric, coriander, fennel and cumin in ghee and add it to your
vegetables and grains.
Even in winter, people with photosensitive skin should avoid eating too
much ginger, garlic, aesofetida (hing), red chillies or any types of hot
peppers as hot foods can increase sensitivity to the sun.
Herbs for the Skin
Watermelon puree is an excellent mask to cool down facial skin.
Apply it evenly, except in the eye area, and rinse off with room
temperature or lukewarm water after 10-15 minutes. Cotton pads
soaked in rose water can be placed over closed eyes.
Another good way to cool the skin is with a milk bath. Add a
couple of drops of rose water to room temperature milk and either rinse
your face with it, followed by room temperature water, or apply
generously with cotton pads and rinse off after ten minutes with room
temperature water.
Butea monosperma (Flame of Forest) is renowned in ayurveda for helping
to boost the skin's natural long-term resistance to sun damage. In
a balanced topical skin formulation, it can be very beneficial.
Winter Tips-Beyond Sunscreen
Drink plenty of water, and avoid very hot water for baths and showers if
your skin is photosensitive to keep your skin properly moisturized and
to protect it from the sun.
Take a warm bath before and after skiing or exposing your skin to
freezing temperatures for a long period of time. Any time it's freezing
outside, the pores of the skin freeze shut and heat is retained in the
deeper layers. This heat dries out the skin and lowers its resistance to
the sun. That is why many people get worse sunburns after skiing than at
the beach, and it's also why some people's skin breaks out after a
skiing trip. A warm bath before and after tackling the slopes helps
dilate frozen channels and supports the skin in its effort to release
heat trapped in the deeper layers.
Note -- This ayurvedic info represents education, and is not intended to
replace standard medical care or treatment.
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