The extreme cold that we face over this season means we need to take special care of our skin, especially in the case of vitiligo.
Despite the winter sun appearing innocuous, you should still be careful with photo-protection, applying a high solar-protection factor cream whenever exposed to the sun.
Hydration is another of the aspects that we should reinforce over this time of year, when our skin faces polar temperatures.
The cold causes the vasoconstriction of the skin’s capillaries, which contract, reducing irrigation, dehydrating the skin and delaying the cell renovation cycle. Dead cells accumulate, preventing the natural sebaceous secretion of the skin from reaching the surface to lubricate and nourish the epidermis, leaving skin dry and sensitive. For all of the above reasons, we have to maximise skin hydration, especially in cases of psoriasis, vitiligo and other skin diseases, which make skin particularly sensitive and reactive.
Here are some tips for protecting your skin with vitiligo over the winter.
- Hydrate your skin continuously, at least three times a day.
- Protect your skin when exposed to the cold outside, with a scarf, gloves and hat, covering as much skin as possible.
- As far as possible, avoid sharp contrasts of temperature, by adjusting the heating.
- When it comes to cleaning your skin, use neutral soaps and avoid aggressive cosmetics and overly hot showers.
And remember, it is important to continue your vitiligo treatment in winter. Despite the patches being less visible, vitiligo should be treated in the mid-term. You can use ultraviolet B narrow-band phototherapy. At Abedul Laboratorios Farmacéuticos we market a UVB-nb phototherapy lamp for domestic use, which will enable you to continue with your vitiligo treatment during the winter months.
