The upper layers of the epidermis (corneal stratum and acid mantle) have an essential role in the fight against various external factors. But with age, the skin’s barrier function is less effective and the skin loses its ability to retain water, begins to dehydrate easily, resulting in specific signs that cause skin discomfort. Also, small wrinkles appear as a warning of premature aging.
Luckily, dehydration in the skin is treatable, since numerous dermatological and dermocosmetic products guarantee the regulation and normal functioning of the skin layers, which benefits from adequate hydration of the epidermis (superficial skin layer).
We can start by identifying the causes of the problem so that we can prevent them efficiently.
What Causes Skin Dehydration?
There are many factors responsible for the epidermis becoming dehydrated. One of the most common is the lack of water intake, generally, we forget to drink enough water a day and our skin perceives it, transforming itself into a rough and battered skin.
It is estimated that each person should consume about a liter and a half to 2 liters, depending on the weight and physical activity they perform. Lacking good internal hydration, the symptoms of dehydrated skin do not take long to be externalized.
On the other hand, by having a diet low in nutrients, vitamins, fruits, and vegetables, we are also not giving our body the ideal amount of water that these foods provide. The consumption of alcohol and smoking tobacco, is also an important cause of dehydration, because the cells that make up the body dehydrate and lose water, that effect is the same as occurs in our skin.
Pollution, extreme weather changes (cold, heat, and humidity) and exposure to UV rays without sun protection cause the skin to deteriorate, as well as the use of soaps not suitable for skin pH, prolonged use of facial products with high alcohol content and perform facial scrubs more often than recommended.
These cause a deterioration in the hydrolipidic film or acid mantle, located in the epidermis, responsible for retaining water that gives a healthy appearance to the skin and allows it to hydrate properly, in addition to acting as a protective barrier.
Certain diseases such as gastroenteritis and pathologies that cause excessive water loss (vomiting, diarrhea, hemorrhage, dermatosis) cause dehydration throughout the body and directly affect the skin.
Some medications such as retinoids promote dry skin by acting directly on the sebaceous glands and avoid excessive sebum production, as there is no adequate hydration of the skin during this process, dehydration occurs. Other medications such as laxatives and diuretics by having excessive water carryover from the body can cause dehydration by not being taken properly.
Signs to Recognize Dehydrated Skin
The signs of dehydrated skin are simple to perceive, you will notice that your skin has changed and they become common in most people. Some of them are:
- Dry, dull and lifeless skin. An opaque hue and lack of brightness are a clear indication of the lack of water. Although, you should take into account that if you have oily skin, it can be oily looking bright and healthy but it can also be dehydrated.
- Peeling, itching, and feeling of discomfort in the skin. The peeling refers to those areas of the body where you can notice small traces of dry skin and appear bare. Many times, this symptom is accompanied by itching, reddish skin areas, sensitivity, and irritation.It may be due to extreme temperatures, such as very cold or prolonged exposure to the sun. In both cases, dehydration of the epidermis causes the skin to peel and get burned. It also usually happens with the use of inappropriate products on sensitive skin.
- Very marked dark circles. Dark circles, especially in the morning, after sleeping, are a consequence of fluid retention. Contrary to what is believed, the liquid is retained due to the difficulty of epidermal cells to expel toxins, and this, also, is the cause of a diet low in nutrients and lack of water intake.
- The appearance of the first wrinkles. One reason why wrinkles and expression lines usually appear at an early age is because the skin has not been properly cared for. Whether by not following an adequate daily facial routine, exposure to ultraviolet rays, poor hydration or a limited diet with no vitamins and nutrients, the skin aging process can be advanced if appropriate measures are not taken.
- Dull hair. Undoubtedly, the root of the hair crosses the epidermis. The hydration of the whole organism is so important that, in the absence of this, many parts of the body are damaged, as is the case with hair. You will be able to notice how it loses shine, it looks dry and it feels rough and battered to the touch.
- Stretch marks. These can be seen on the cheeks, by tightening the muscles. The lack of hydration will make them more visible when smiling, while, with muscle relaxation, they will not be noticed.
How Skin Dehydration Can be treated? Tips for Extra Hydration
- The best hydration to completely protect the body and stay healthy is to drink the right amount of water. Food is essential and should include in every diet an adequate intake of vitamins, through fruits and vegetables that, in addition to providing nutritional benefits contain abundant amounts of water.
- You must have a daily facial routine and perform it twice a day (morning and night) with dermatological and dermocosmetic products adapted to your skin type. Always remember to include an extra moisturizer in the routine.
- Add an extra to your routine with facial masks, you can find them in a presentation in cream, peel off, sheet or purifying masks.
- For more specialized treatment, it is best to see a doctor so that the skin is analyzed by a professional.
- Among the most effective methods is deep facial cleansing every 28 days that includes microdermabrasion. This aesthetic treatment involves removing dead skin cells to achieve a more rejuvenated epidermis.
- The depigmentation of dark circles is a treatment that acts on melanin, eliminating the dark tone that occurs in them. The night rest of 7 hours a day is important to attenuate the color of the dark circles and do not forget the adequate hydration of this area with some serum or cream for the eye contour.
Dehydration of the skin is a simple problem to treat, which should include adequate food, drink up to two liters of water a day, have a proper facial routine and carry out a specialized treatment monitored by a dermatology specialist.
