If you have spent any time with your grandparents, you will notice how much they advocate letting fresh air and reducing the dependency on the AC. Their advice may sound harsh, especially when the temperatures outside are climbing, but your skin is going to be thankful, even more so, if you follow the advice. Wondering how AC can be bad for your skin? Well, wonder no more, for this article is dedicated to enlightening you about how your air conditioning is affecting your skin.
Relation Between Cold Environment And Humidity
Have you ever noticed how during the cold winter months, your skin becomes excessively dry? It happens because when temperatures are low, so is the level of humidity. Less than sufficient moisture in the air causes dryness. In the human body, this dryness manifests itself in the form of
1. Dry, scaly, and itchy skin.
2. Frizzy and wiry hair.
3. Nose bleeds.
4. Cracked heels.
How Air Conditioning Is Affecting Skin
AC is a double-edged sword. Where it gives comfort during summers, it also harms the skin. These are some of its ill effects:
1. Skin Dryness – When the AC runs, it draws out moisture from indoors. Suffice to say, it pulls the moisture from our body as well. As the moisture leeches from the skin, the out layer becomes dry, scaly, and patchy. Had the problem been restricted to only the outer layer of the skin, it probably would not have mattered much, as you can always apply and reapply body lotion to get relief. But, slowly, the inner layers of the skin, too, get affected. When that happens, you will notice that your skin turns wrinkly with an excessive need to itch.
2. Less Oil Production – There are sebaceous glands under our skin that produce oil. In some people, these glands are very active, and in some, not so much. Nevertheless, as the AC cools the surroundings, the production of oil from these glands also reduces. In addition, we stop sweating, and there is a buildup of toxins within our bodies. The overall effect is that our skin becomes dull, and dehydrated giving it an unhealthy pallor.
3. Skin Ailments – If your skin continues to stay dry for long, you develop a skin condition called dermatitis. People who already suffer from skin ailments like psoriasis, eczema, etc., will have an even more difficult time, as the cold environment will aggravate the problem.
4. Early Signs Of Aging – Dehydrated and unkempt skin shows early signs of aging. Crows’ feet develop, skin starts to sag, and wrinkles appear prematurely. You will also start to notice increased signs of open pores and less collagen. All of these symptoms have one common cause: less moisture in the skin due to staying put in a cool environment for long hours.
Are These Effects Reversible?
If you take proactive steps, you can counter the ill effects of air conditioning on the skin without sacrificing the AC. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Drink plenty of water throughout the day (at least eight glasses).
2. Apply moisturizer or body lotion to lock in the moisture and provide hydration to the skin.
3. Take regular breaks from your air conditioning system. If in-office, go out for coffee breaks and take a walk. If at home, water your outdoor plants or go out for a stroll. The idea is to allow your skin to breathe in the fresh outdoor air away from the AC.
4. Install a humidifier to maintain balanced humidity in the indoor air.
Idyllic Humidity
The only way to feel comfortable in summers is not by lowering the temperature setting again and again. One feels exceptionally hot despite using recommended temperature because the humidity is high. What you need to do is maintain ideal humidity, which is between 40 to 50 percent. Any lower will dry out the skin, and any higher will make you feel clammy.
In regions with high levels of humidity, like Florida, it is better to install a dehumidifier. Similarly, in regions where the ambient moisture in the air is low, one will benefit by installing a whole-home or stand-alone humidifier. In both cases, the idea is to ensure that the indoor humidity level stays between 40% to 50%.
It’s extremely unlikely that you will face conditions of low humidity in Florida. Nevertheless, if such time does come, a portable humidifier will do the job beautifully and satisfactorily. In case you don’t want to buy one, you can also follow one of these two measures:
1. Boil water in an open pan. The steam rising from it will add moisture to the air.
2. Get some indoor plants as they, too, will help increase humidity in your home.
Before We Close
Air Conditioning is a necessary evil, but you don’t necessarily have to live without it. It happens to be one of the biggest contributors to your indoor comfort, and at the same time, it plays hell with your skin. Nevertheless, you can still get the best of both worlds without having to sacrifice. All you need is to employ some easy measures to ensure that the moisture or hydration of your skin remains locked. To prevent the ill effects of AC on the skin, drink lots of water and keep your skin well moisturized. These two simple measures will allow you to enjoy the coolness of the AC without having to worry about your skin.
At Aztil Air Conditioning, we aim to educate our customers about all things HVAC, including the impact it has on your health. If you are worried that your AC is adding to the discomfort, you should schedule an appointment with us. We can help you figure out the problem and present its most viable and economical solution. In addition, we can see the all-around needs of your heating and cooling system, which includes installations, repairs, maintenance, and replacements. When you partner with us, you don’t have to worry about indoor air quality solutions or duct cleaning, for we do it all. To book an appointment, call us any time at +1-888-729-8452.
