Even though summer is officially over, the sun is still beating on us, especially here in the UAE. This means it’s still open season for spending endless hours on the beach or at the pool. While swimming is a great way to wade off the heat, water in the swimming pool can also bring trauma to your skin, leaving you needing some serious skin protection backup afterward.

Skin Protection Tips Before and After a Swim — Dr. Evana Janbeh – Dermatologist, CosmeSurge clinic

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 sucks out the water from your body, and if you don’t take up some skin protection measures, this leaves your skin pale and dehydrated.

According to Dr. Evana Janbeh, a Dermatologist at CosmeSurge clinic, swimming in a chlorinated pool can have detrimental effects on the 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.”

To ensure that your skin continues looking gorgeous while you enjoy your time in the water, Dr. Evana has shared some skin protection tips 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: Another skin protection tip 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 moisturized, 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).

YOU’LL LIKE: Small Tweaks That Will Refresh Your Beauty Routine in an Instant

After Swimming

Moisturise Your Skin: Apply a good moisturizing 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.
Pick a Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment or Microneedling: 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 improve the appearance of wrinkles, scars, sun damage and even dark circles under the eyes. In addition, Microneedling 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 as beneficial for the body with its deep moisturizing properties.