By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Heat waves and strong sunbeams in summer are harmful to the skin. However, many people cling to simple urban myths: Applying sunscreen once is enough; wearing a hat or staying in the shade will prevent skin from getting dry or burnt.
Dermatologist Seo Sung-jun of Choong Ang Medical Center gives us eight tips for summer time skincare.
Putting on an SPF-50 sunscreen just before going out won't do much in protecting skin from ultraviolet rays and other harmful materials. What matters more is the frequency of application. ``The cream can get washed off by water, sweat and various other factors,'' Seo said. The doctor advises people to use sunscreens with an SPF greater than 30 as often as possible when engaging in outdoor activities.
``Wearing hats or staying in the shade may seem like a good way to avoid the sun, but you still can be affected by ultraviolet rays and others factors,'' he said.
Tanning is no longer just for the Western part of the globe. A bronze skin tone is considered healthy in Korea and many youngsters are using tanning lotions to look good.
However, Seo says tanning the skin with oil or lotion is not a good idea. ``It can dry up the skin and proliferate aging,'' he said. He advised wearing sunscreen all the time.
Adding the powder before rashes occur can be a method of prevention. But after a rash appears, baby powder only worsens symptoms by blocking pores.
Some women believe spraying ``mists'' or other water products can moisten the skin. But it actually serves to quicken the pace of drying because the skin cannot absorb it. It attracts the skin's natural moisture during evaporation.
Some people with oily skin types believe washing their face with soap frequently will make their pores cleaner, preventing dermatitis. However, Seo says it is not a good idea because frequent face washing can cause one to lose moisture. ``Make it two to three times a day. I don't recommend more than that,'' Seo said.
``Jjimjilbang'', or Korean style saunas, are popular among women who believe that sweating in oven-like rooms for a prolonged period will rid the skin of ``bad substances.''
Seo agrees with the urban myth to a certain extent. ``Under warm temperatures, you can feel the sebum and other substances being removed and your skin feels softer. However, staying in too long can damage veins, leading to inflammation. Also, the heat can simply take away moisture from the skin and make you look older,'' he said.
Groundless information tells people not to wash their feet with soap once they have athlete's foot. However, the fungus that causes the disease is much more active under humid and hot weather, so one should always watch out for their feet― especially when visiting swimming pools or public saunas. If you sweat a lot, then you should clean your feet often with soap and wear cotton socks to absorb the sweat.
This urban myth recommends soaking your feet in vinegar to kills the germs. The method causes chemical burns in many cases. Also, the acid can kill the good part of the skin that protects inner tissues from harmful substances and cause inflammation. Consult a doctor, Seo says.