18 - Sunday, February 10, 1991-— North Shore News

FASHION
Protect your skin

AS WE endure some of the col-
dest weather B.C. has experienced
in almost 20 years, it is a good
time to think about the effects
that the low mercury will have on
our bodies, and in particular, our
skin.

From extreme cold outside —
whether we're ice-skating, cross-
country skiing, or having snowball
fights with the kids in the
backyard — to extra warm, dry
indoor heat, we subject our skin
to daily punishment during the
winter months.

The body's first line of defence
against the cold is to form goose
bumps. The muscles in the- hair
follicles try to stand the body hair
on end in an effort to trap more
warm hair. Goosebumps are the
first signal that we are getting cold
and are an indication that it’s time
to get inside before our body
temperature begins to drop.

We usually dress appropriately
for the cold, avoiding very serious
complications of hypothermia
(abnormally low body
temperature) or frostbite. Al-
‘though our clothing protects us
from-the cold, smali areas of skin
exposed to below freezing
temperatures may still be at risk
for frostbite, including the face,
‘ears, hands and feet.

What are the symptoms of
frostbite? First, the area gets cold
and red and begins to ache. Then

the ache comes and goes as the
area becomes numb. Next, along
with the numbness the area gets
hard and white. The tips of the
ears or the cheeks or nose actually
look as if they’ve got frost on
them. If that happens, you are in
serious danger.

Some common sense precau-
tions include being observant of
weather conditions and dressing
warmly using a hat and gloves.
Make sure that if you are going
outside in extreme conditions that
you are with another person.
Also, extra attention should be
paid to children!

While out in the cold, if you
feel a numbness on your skin, try
to warm the area by holding your
hand on it but don't rub it. Even
a cold hand can warm up a frozen
ear or nose. Don’t rub snow on it
and do not use direct heat to
warm the area. Because your skin
is numb, you may burn yourself
without feeling it. You should get
inside as quickly as possible and
gtadually rewarm the cold areas.

Other common cold weather
skin problems are sunburn and
dry skin.

It is as important to wear
sunscreen in the winter as in the
summer, particularly at high
altitudes. Reflected light from
snow can be as dangerous as
direct sunlight. A sunscreen with a
sun protection factor (SPF) of 15

or more is advisable, and full-
spectrum sunscreens offer protec-
tion from both ultraviolet A
(UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB)
tays.

According to Vancouver-area
dermatologist Dr. Evert Tuyp, this
type of weather can aggravate ex-
isting skin conditions, particularly
atopic dermatitis or dry skin. It is
especially a problem for the el-
derly. Cold, dry air with low rela-
tive humidity draws moisture from
your skin. Frequent hot baths may
also contribute to dry skin by
stripping away the natural oils
from the skin.

“North Americans tend to
overbathe. You should use a very
mild soap only on the dirty areas
of you skin, and bathe briefly in
water that’s not too hot, and do
not bathe too often. A good
moisturizer or layer of petroleum
jelly will also help to protect your
skin from the hazards of winter
weather,”’ advises Tuyp.

This information was provided

by the B.C. Medical Association.

New directions in hair exclusively by...

LEC

SALON

ee

1461 BELLEVUE AVENUE

WEST VANCOUVER, B.C. (604) 925-HAIR

Ve |

Our, WZ

aa

Lonsdale Florists Lt @

1211 Lonsdale Ave., North Van
SEND YOUR VALENTINE OUR
“BEAR HUG IN A BASKET”

* BASKET WITH PINK AND RED CARNATIONS. DOUBLE HEART
DECORATION AND A CUDDLY 7” STUFFED BEAR WITH
VALENTINE RIBBON.

Get Mus, 7A ® 7
- Declare your Devotion, Woo them with Words
this Valentine's Day! gum : :

Tell us in 50 words or less why

FLYERS

> wednesday

: ag, SG, we
eS 7s Mews

* Woolco ear .
Save-On-Foods your Valentine is the best!
* Idly Bird And you could Win a fabulous

his and hers WITTNAUER
Watch Set compliments of

GEM &
ewellers WITTNAUER

S. * Contest is open to those persons 18 years and over.

> friday

* Real Estate Weekly
* The Bay

> sunday

Shoppers Drug Mart
Safeway
* Super Valu

DROP YOUR ENTRY ALONG W!TH NAME, ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBER IN THE
BARREL LOCATED IN THE FOOD COURT. DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 14, 1991.

CAPILANOMALL

Where Value Has Its Merits

SHOPPING HOURS Monday to Wednesday 9:30am-5:30pm, Thursday &
Friday 9:30am-9:00pm, Saturday 9:30am-5:36pm, Sunday Noon-5:00pm

That VOICE OF MOSTYN AND WEET ENCOUVER

north shore.

If you miss any of these
flyers call North Shore News
Distribution 986-1337

* delivered to selected areas only

SUNOAY + WEOMESOAY + MORAY