How to keep your cool when the heat is on
Each week our experts Dr AAMER KHAN and LESLEY REYNOLDS bring you the latest beauty news and anti-ageing advice
IT WOULD seem that summer has finally arrived and temperatures are soaring up and down the country. However, while the UK basks in glorious sunshine, a heatwave can bring with it exhausting days, sleepless nights and sun-stressed skin.
Follow our simple guide to ensure you keep your cool when the heat is on.
THE HEAT OF THE DAY
Staying cool during the day when temperatures are at their peak can be difficult, making it hard to concentrate at work.
Avoid caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee and cola as they will dehydrate you. Instead keep a jug of iced water handy and sip continually throughout the day.
Eat regular small meals instead of three large meals. The bigger the meal, the more metabolic heat your body creates breaking down the food.
If you want to cool off quickly, run your wrists under a cold tap for five seconds every couple of hours.
Roll up some damp flannels and pop them in the freezer. When you go out, take them with you in a plastic bag. If you feel hot, unwrap one and place it over your face or the back of your neck to lower your temperature.
If you have an electric fan, place a bowl of ice in front of it to help cool down the air.
DON’T SWEAT IT
When it’s warm outside, it’s easy to end up looking and feeling hot and flustered.
The wrinkle-fighting jab Botox has been used for years to banish sweating under the arms and on the palms of the hands.
It works by disabling the eccrine and apocrine glands, which produce sweat.
It can also now be used on the scalp to reduce perspiration. During the treatment, which has been dubbed “Blowtox”, Botox is injected into the scalp and around the hairline. Results will be seen in two to three days and one treatment will last six to 12 months. From £200 per treatment.
Certain foods can help reduce body heat. Tuck into water-rich cucumber, watermelon and mint-based drinks.
Similarly, spicy food such as curries and chillies stimulate heat receptors in the mouth. This enhances circulation and increases perspiration, which cools the body.
SOOTHE SUMMER SKIN
The sun can irritate skin, leaving it flushed and blotchy. However, with some TLC you can soothe your complexion even when temperatures peak.
Keep moisturiser and eye cream in the fridge. When applied it will cool the skin, constricting blood vessels and leaving the complexion smooth and toned.
You should wear a high SPF at all times but it’s even more important when there is a heatwave.
If you do burn your skin, have a cool shower and apply Epionce Renewal Calming Cream, £58 (beauty-product-online.co.uk), which is packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as oatmeal to soothe redness.
Keep a facial spritz handy to hydrate, calm irritation and cool the skin. Try Tisserand Lady Rose Cooling Spray, £10 (tisserand.com), which is suitable for all skin types.
If you suffer from heat rash, have a tepid shower to cool your skin and apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream for three to four days to reduce inflammation.
Alternatively, Aveeno Fast & Long-Lasting Balm, £9.99 (aveeno. co.uk) has been clinically proven to relieve itchy skin.
Banish facial flushing with Sensifine AR Creme, £17 (lookfantastic.com). It has a temperature-regulating effect that prevents skin from overheating and reduces redness.
Bolster your skin’s natural protection against the sun with an astaxanthin supplement, a potent antioxidant that can boost skin’s UV protection.
Try Green Beauty With Astaxanthin, £34 (waitrose.com).
SLEEP EASY
The heat and humidity can affect quality of sleep, making it harder to
nod off and increasing chances of a restless night.
A protein-packed diet can help regulate your sleep cycle. Meat, fish, nuts and beans contain the amino acid tryptophan, which converts into serotonin and melatonin. These hormones are essential for good sleep.
Have a cool shower or bath before bedtime. Although a cold shower might sound more tempting, your body will generate heat afterwards to warm you up again.
Put your pillowcases in a plastic bag and chill in the freezer for 20 minutes before you go to bed.
A warm body and a cool head can make it easier for you to drop off to sleep.
Keep your feet cool. Feet contain blood vessels that dilate when the body gets too hot, allowing heat to dissipate. So keeping your feet uncovered at night can help you stay asleep.
Treat your skin to an overnight mask that will help replenish moisture levels and combat sun damage. Try Super Facialist Sleep & Reveal Night Cream, £16.99 (sainsburys.co.uk).
For advice on cosmetic surgery consult your GP. For more of Lesley’s tips see lesleyreynolds.com