Life is an adventure, they say.
Embarking on adventurous trips is undoubtedly a thing that most Millenials love doing. Moving out of our comfort zone and discovering something new gives many of us a purpose to live.
An adventure is all about venturing into the unknown. But often, it takes a toll on us. How often do you stop to take care of yourself during one of your adventure trips? Do you ever realize how these adventures affect your body?
If you are such an adventure freak that likes to live life on the edge, you may want to reconsider a few things. Taking adventurous trips is known to keep us healthy, say many psychologists. But it is essential to take care of yourself too. After all, it’s your body, especially your skin, which suffers the most during your adventures.
Embarking on adventures, especially ones involving trekking on high altitudes, can have adverse effects on your skin. Skincare may not be your number 1 priority while amid snowy mountains or dizzying heights, but it is all the more critical.
If you haven’t thought about protecting your skin from the elements on any of your previous adventures, it is high time.
Here are a few ways in which you can do to protect your skin while trekking in high altitudes-
1) Sunscreen is your first line of defense –
A good sunscreen is essential before you start trekking. Higher altitudes mean you are closer to the sun, which considerably increases the chances of your skin getting damaged. Also, the further up you go, the thinner is the atmosphere. The ozone layer is the one that absorbs the harmful UV rays. With that depleting as you go further, you have to remember to apply your sunscreen every couple of hours. Trekking in snowy terrains is not an exception. The snow is quite reflective as well, with it reflecting off almost 80% of the UV rays that touch it. Even when the weather is cloudy, you should never skip on your sunscreen. Do remember to opt for a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection. You can also opt for the revolutionary Heliocare pill, popularly called the sunscreen pill, for complete protection against the sun.
2) Cover yourself adequately –
If you are generous with your sunscreen, you are almost there. However, you should keep yourself covered to keep away sunburns or a tan. Wear t-shirts with full sleeves and turtle necks. Add an extra layer of protection by opting for a wide-brimmed hat, gloves, and a scarf to protect your face and neck. Sunglasses or goggles are a must while trekking in the snow. People who didn’t take these extra precautions, complained of the sun burns hurting them even after a month!! This is the extent to which the sun can damage our skin. Another reason to cover yourself as much as possible is that the sunscreen cannot provide complete protection. With the amount of sweat you will have while trekking, the sunscreen may not stick to your skin. Even with frequent application, it is a risk not worth taking.
3) Moisturise-
Moisturising your skin is essential, even at higher altitudes. Skipping this step will make your skin dry and itchy. The high altitudes can rob your skin of its natural oils and moisture, worsening the damage done by the sun, and opting for a good moisturizer while trekking will provide your skin with the hydration boost it needs. If your skin is not hydrated enough, it might get dry and crack. This can be quite dangerous and painful in unknown terrains.
4) Vitamin C is essential-
Along with protecting the skin, you will need repair as well. A vitamin C serum is full of antioxidants that negate the effects of sun damage on your skin. It will help protect and repair skin tissues. It also protects your skin from the harmful effects of free radicals. Applying a vitamin C serum boosts the production of collagen. This gives your skin cells an added layer of protection against the sun. Use a vitamin C serum before you apply the first layer of sunscreen in the morning and once before bedtime to repair your skin at the cellular level.
5) Carry a sun monitoring device with you-
There are loads of sun monitoring devices available on the market. These will help you monitor the levels of radiation in a particular place. You can then reapply your sunscreen accordingly. If the levels of radiation exceed above normal, it may be wise to pause your trek to keep yourself protected. Do remember that constant exposure to the harmful radiation from the sun can even lead to skin cancer in extreme cases. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Conclusion-
Your adventure shouldn’t put a pause on your skincare. Remember that the more you neglect taking care of your skin, the more problems you will face after returning. Sunburn and sun damage is not easy to tackle. The process can be quite painful. But you can follow these tips to keep yourself protected from the sun and come back from your adventure with nothing but happy memories!!
