How Air Conditioning Affects Your Skin

Written by Priyanka Jaising13th Mar 2018
HOW AIR CONDITIONING AFFECTS YOUR SKIN
After spending all day under the blazing sun, all you want to do is run into your home, turn on the air conditioner and enjoy the cold air. But, did you know that sitting in an air-conditioned room for an extended period of time can make your skin extremely dry? This is because air conditioners are known to suck the moisture from the air, which results in your skin losing its moisture too. If you’re looking to know more about how air conditioners affect your skin, read on.
 

Dry and itchy skin

Skin disorders

Air conditioners tend to get rid of all the moisture in a room. As they are not selective about the moisture they get rid off, they suck the moisture from your skin as well. This affects the epidermis, and makes your skin very dry. If your skin is not sufficiently hydrated, constant dryness will eventually affect its inner layers. Your skin will end up stretching, which in turn, will make it itchy and flaky.

Dehydrated skin

With air conditioning, the temperature of the surrounding area is reduced to about 18 to 26 degrees Celsius. This makes your body reduce the production of sweat at all areas, except the underarms, palms and soles. As a result, the toxins remain within the skin and do not get secreted. It also reduces the oil production of your skin, which leads to dull, unhealthy, dehydrated skin.

 

Premature ageing

Skin disorders

Water is your skin’s best friend, as it helps maintain its elasticity. When AC’s remove the humidity from a room, your skin loses its moisture, and starts shrivelling. It eventually loses its elasticity as well. The constant loss and lack of replacement of water from the skin tissues result in dry and chapped skin that is prone to developing creases and wrinkles.

Skin degeneration

People most often step out of an air-conditioned environment into the scorching heat outside, or walk into an air-conditioned place from the sweltering outdoors. This sudden shift from one temperature to another can prove to be very stressful for your skin, as it affects and damages the skin’s ability to regenerate. If your skin is constantly under stress like this, it will struggle to cope with the changes in its environment, and won’t regenerate the way it’s supposed to, which will eventually cause it to become undernourished, and dull.

 

Skin disorders

Skin disorders

Air conditioners make your skin so dry that it ends up becoming itchy and flaky. In some cases, the skin becomes red, develops rashes, and starts peeling off. If you are already suffering from eczema, rosacea or psoriasis, your condition may worsen, as air conditioning upsets the moisture balance of your skin.

Here are some hacks to combat the air conditioning effects on your skin:

  1. Make sure to keep your skin hydrated by drinking at least 8 cups of water, daily.
  2. Moisturise your skin with a lotion, regularly. This counteracts the drying effects that air conditioning has on your skin.
  3. Avoid excessive use of soap on the dry areas of your skin. Use mild soaps that are glycerine-based.
  4. Don’t become too dependent on air conditioners. If you can’t turn them off at your office, try not to use them at home.
  5. Make sure you change your air conditioning filters every 4-6 weeks.

Priyanka Jaising

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