Staying hydrated: What are the doctor’s orders for long-haul flights?
Flying at altitude with greater levels of cosmic radiation speeds up the skin’s ageing process so avoid a window seat and apply moisturiser every 2-3 hours
When you are on a long-haul flight, skincare may not be at the top of your list of concerns – but you should reconsider that.
Maybe you’re stepping off the plane and going straight into a meeting, or perhaps you need to look fabulous the next day for a friend’s wedding. But even if that’s not the case, you should still be mindful of looking after your skin’s health while in the air.
What to look out for
Dr Joseph Wong Kwok-ho, a specialist in family medicine in Hong Kong, with a diploma in practical dermatology, says your top priority while in the air is hydration.
During a flight, a good moisturiser should be applied every two to three hours. This will help prevent dryness. If you suffer from eczema, more frequent application will be needed
He says this has less to do with altitude and more to do with the fact that you are in an air-conditioned environment, which strips the air of humidity.
“During a flight, a good moisturiser should be applied every two to three hours,” says Wong, who finds fliers often do not apply enough moisturiser while flying.
“This will help prevent dryness. If you suffer from eczema, more frequent application will be needed.”
If you are a frequent flier, or perhaps even a flight attendant, there is something else, apart from dehydration, that you need to think of: cosmic radiation.