Christmas is coming and with it the celebrations, which translates into an excess of food, alcohol, sugars and fats. But eating and drinking in large quantities is not only reflected in an increase in kilos, it also affects the state and health of our skin. In addition, Raquel Novo, head of service of Dermatology at the Hospital Universitario HM Montepríncipe and Hospital Universitario Puerta of the South, says that there are other factors like the stress , lack of sleep and the cold that contribute to the skin is altered more easily.
Novo warns that excess alcohol causes dehydration of the skin, an effect that doubles with heating and cold temperatures. In addition, he adds that this substance dilates the facial capillaries causing the appearance of redness and worsening the rosacea or telangiectasia symptoms.
As for food, we must bear in mind that we are what we eat. Hearty foods rich in fats and sweets affect the digestion process and consequently the skin. The specialist at the Puerta del Sur University Hospital reports that excess sugar triggers the glycation process , causing “damage to the elastic fibers and collagen , which, although it cannot be perceived in a few days, does add to the process of aging of the skin, producing lack of smoothness and flaccidity ”. In addition, ” sugar causes inflammation at the level of the skin, this causes liquids to accumulate , for example, in the area around the eyes, leading to bagsand dark circles ”, adds Lola García, member of Dermopharmacy of the Official College of Pharmacists of Seville .
Sleep and stress also damage the appearance of the skin. Little sleep, in addition to producing the obnoxious and unsightly dark circles, reduces the illumination of the skin and makes it look duller, since it is during sleep that its repair process is activated. Stress, on the other hand, increases sebaceous secretion and can lead to the appearance of small pimples or acne , especially in people with a tendency to it.
How to prevent skin damage
In order to prevent, it is best to control excesses by limiting the consumption of alcohol, fats and sweets, but without having to give them up. Lola García recommends compensating for excess days with fruits and vegetables, cleansing broths, infusions and natural juices rich in vitamin C , increasing the water intake to about 2 liters a day. In addition, the specialist from the Official College of Pharmacists of Seville advocates the use of food supplements rich in antioxidants (vitamin C, E, flavonoids such as resveratrol …), minerals ( magnesium , copper, zinc, among others) and essential fatty acids ( omega-3 , omega-6 and omega-9).
Likewise, both experts recommend during these days the use of serums and moisturizing and nourishing creams as something indispensable; Revitalizing masks and peels based on vitamin C – which provide immediate luminosity – and decongestant patches to attenuate eye bags. In addition, it is essential not to skip, under no circumstances the hygiene of the face, they assure . “In these days that we do more makeup, it is even more important to clean the skin with the right product, morning and night,” says García.
