I’ve never enjoyed flights — especially long-haul flights that wedge you between two ever-shrinking seats. Just the rigmarole of hauling your bags over your shoulders, and scrambling to find yourself a cab in the A.M is enough to send your body into overdrive. That, along with oscillating between two corners of an airport before finding your gate, and retiring to waiting-seats before boarding, further alienates me from the idea of catching flights.
The worst, though, is what you experience a little after your flight has ascended to an altitude of 30,000 feet — it’s when your skin starts acting up like crazy. And nothing — not even the luxury of sprawling out, and reclining in first-class can remedy this disaster. But, really, what happens to your skin in a plane, and what you can do to ease the damage? Ahead — the revelation (there’s more to this phenomenon than the cry-baby in 33-A).
Yup — Plane Skin Is A Thing, And It Is Sabotaging You
Cabin Air Turns Your Skin Into A Bone-Dry Dessert
Fact: The levels of humidity in a cabin drop to 20% — but the fact is that our skin feels most comfortable when the humidity is between 40% and 70%. A lack of humidity, coupled with recycled, oxygen-lacking air and artificially-created pressure, can dehydrate your dermis — leading to dryness, inflammation, and flakiness.
Damage Control: Drink a lot of water, and apply a moisturiser a little before your flight boards. The formula will continue pumping moisture into your skin, seal it all in, and prevent potential irritants from harming your face in the process. During the flight, load your skin with a Hyaluronic Acid-spiked serum every hour.
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Your Skin Tries To Overcompensate For The Dryness
Fact: Because of this dryness, your skin might go into overdrive, and produce more sebum to counteract the situation. This can lead to flare-ups and acne thanks to the overproduction of oil.
Damage Control: Pick a moisturiser that is oil-free and lightweight to prevent this from happening. Before boarding, spritz your face with a little bit of toner to adjust your skin’s pH, help your skin retain moisture, and temper oil-production. Just this can prevent your skin from feeling dry or oily during the flight.
The Altitude Steals Your Glow
Fact: The higher the altitude, the lower the circulation of blood to your face. Don’t forget about the artificial pressure created in the cabin — these factors demote your otherwise satin-skin radiance to a dull, lackluster avatar. You know how your skin exudes a glow post-gym? That’s courtesy of more circulation — a flight does the exact opposite of that. Flights are pressurised to the equivalent of 6000 feet to 8000 feet — that’s like standing on top of a mountain instead of at sea-level.
Damage Control: There’s not much you can do except for remaining steadfast in your commitment to the serum.
Eyebags Are Courtesy Of Sitting Too Much
Fact: Your eyes are the window to your soul — to your tired, worn-out soul. Long-haul flights require you to sit for long periods of time. This inactivity, along with a stunted blood-flow, leads to water-retention, and that’s why your face looks puffy and swollen after a flight — especially your under-eyes. Fluid seeps into extracellular compartments, and that lends itself to under-eye bags.
Damage Control: Swipe a little bit of a nutrient-rich eye-cream or eye-serum under your eyes to nourish, energise, and feed the skin. Once your flight has landed, try exercising a little to rid your skin of puffiness. This can mobilise fluids, and encourage circulation — restoring your glow easily.
Developing A Sunburn Is More Probable Than Ever
Fact: You’re closer to the sun than ever, and since most windows aren’t U.V-proof, you might end up developing sunburn and other signs of sun-induced damage. Studies suggest that pilots are at a higher risk of developing skin-cancer owing to the amount of time they spend in the sky.
Damage Control: Make sure you’re layering your skin with a lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen (with an SPF of at least 30) every two hours. and moisturise your lips with an SPF-infused lip-balm.
Stress Can Stress Your Skin Out
Fact: You are what you feel. The concept of travelling is stress-inducing — this can trigger your (stress) hormones, and exacerbate existing skin-related conditions. You might notice your skin redden and inflame, and if you suffer from eczema and psoriasis, symptoms might manifest strongly.
Damage Control: Since there’s no topical treatment that can ease stress (we wish), just listen to soothing music during the flight, read a book, and try relaxing. You can try indulging in a one-step regimen during your flight — cleanse your face with wipes to rehydrate, rid your skin of airplane dirt and build-up, and reinstate your glow.
See — you don’t have to land in a new city looking all ashen and blue. Just a couple of hours of effort to de-board your plane, and arrive at your destination in all of your fabulous, show-stopping glory.
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