ISLAMABAD: Living in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi comes with its own challenges such as cities experience long sunny days for much of the year which increases chances of Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

Prolonged exposure to the sun’s Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays can lead to sunburns, dark spots and wrinkles. Even during Islamabad’s cooler months, UV rays can penetrate the clouds, causing harm.

This was stated by Dermatologist at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) Dr Mubashir Daha while speaking to mediapersons.

“Living in Islamabad, known for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant urban life, means that we often find ourselves outdoors, exposed to the sun’s rays. While soaking up the sun can feel refreshing, especially in Islamabad’s moderate climate, it’s essential to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation. Exposure to UV rays without protection accelerates the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making your skin look older than it is,” he said.

“Islamabad’s diverse weather conditions can trigger hyperpigmentation issues, especially for people with sensitive skin. Skin cancer, particularly melanoma, can be triggered by excessive UV exposure. Some people have their natural skin oily or acne-prone. Oily skin can become more pronounced in a city like Islamabad, where the humidity levels fluctuate, especially during the monsoon season,” he said.

“Some people have their natural skin dry which becomes more dry during Islamabad’s colder months. If your skin feels tight and flaky. Choose a moisturizing sunscreen.If your skin easily reacts to products or gets irritated under the sun, pick a physical (mineral) sunscreen, these contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and are less likely to irritate sensitive skin,” Dr Daha said.

He said that some people have combination skin which could be tricky, as some areas may be oily while others dry.

“There are few myths regarding sunscreen like, it is only necessary during summer, darker skin people don’t need sunscreen and waterproof sunscreens don’t need reapplication, but in reality, Islamabad gets sun year-round, making sunscreen a daily essential and melanin does offer some protection but sunscreen is still necessary for all skin tones to prevent sun damage and premature aging, even if your sunscreen is waterproof, it still needs to be reapplied,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2024