How the weather affects our morale and skin

Sun, gray, wind, rain… This has been the favorite topic of conversation for people since the dawn of time, regardless of country or social background. “Normal,” jokes France’s favorite psychiatrist Christophe Andre on YouTube. In any case, we are all more or less convinced that the weather is playing with us.” Happy mood on sunny days and sad under the clouds. In fact, the topic is much more complicated. It is estimated that 30 to 50% of people are “climate sensitive”, meaning they feel more strongly the changes in humidity, temperature and atmospheric pressure, especially those with fragile adrenal glands or thyroid gland.

As a result, migraines, joint pain, irritability… However, no scientific research shows a significant connection between weather and rheumatism. Ditto the mistral, tramontane, or other foenes that lead some. Seasonal depression, on the other hand, is well documented. “Studies clearly show that there is a link between weather and mental health,” explains D^D: Marine Akkaoui, psychiatrist (1). A seasonal pattern is present in many psychiatric disorders, with 20% of individuals suffering from depression and 25% of those suffering from bipolar disorder.

It is also clear that mercury can affect behavior; “Abnormally high temperatures are associated with an increase in suicide attempts, emergency room visits, and acts of aggression and violence,” says Meteo France research engineer Gregory Pfeiffery. Christoph Andre, for his part, notes: “Interestingly, we find more suicide attempts at the beginning of sunny periods, while the effect reverses as sunny days continue. A bit like antidepressants. During the first three to four days of treatment, the risk of suicide increases before symptoms resolve.

Follow the light

Without going to these extremes, the weather can affect about a quarter of us, and women more than men. A showcase of the blues that, for some, begins in the fall and fades in the spring. “Being connected to our environment, we all depend on the weather, but with more or less vulnerability,” P. believes.^r: Florian Ferreri, psychiatrist (2). This is mainly explained by the effect that brightness and significant temperature variations can have on various hormonal secretions (serotonin, melatonin, etc.) that regulate energy, motivation, sleep and well-being.”

Not forgetting the social component. “Seeing others, being surrounded, sitting on the porch, outdoor activities…^D: Akkaoui. Everything we do sooner when the weather is nice and good.’ There are solutions to avoid depending on your morale as a barometer. The most important thing is to ignore the weather. “Without denying the passage of seasons, one should maintain the regular rhythm of life and change habits as little as possible,” advises the psychiatrist. Maintain the same sleeping and eating schedule, maintain physical and social activities, go outside, etc.”

It is also important not to add to it, not to overestimate the cold, the gray… and, why not, look on the bright side of things; “Walking in the rain is good for your health,” emphasizes Virginie Hilson-Levy. , a journalist specializing in weather and climate issues (3), and is known to be weather-sensitive. This releases negative ions, fine particles that are electrically charged and beneficial for mood, sleep and dynamics. Even the storm has a positive effect.”

Another good reflex is to protect yourself from temperature changes. “In addition to adjusting your gear, you should make sure you don’t go from one extreme to the other, such as turning on the air conditioning or heating to full blast at home and in the car when it’s very hot or cold outside,” warns the journalist, who is known to all weather-sensitive people. , no matter the season, recommends accepting, anticipating and adapting.

Storms on our skulls

The sun and its vitamin D add vitality and shine to hair, but its rays can also change its fiber and color, while vitamin D deficiency is associated with hair loss. Moisture makes them unmanageable, drought, brittle and electricity, extreme cold and heat weaken them. If in regions where the air is clean, rainwater makes them shine, it is not the same story in the city, where the hair is bombarded with highly oxidizing pollutant particles… Problem, solutions.

When it rains, my hair gets ruined. “Hair acts like a sponge, it absorbs the water in the air and swells, which will therefore make it frizzy,” explains Karim Belghiran. hairdresser and Phyto Consultant Hairdresser. You should use treatments that tighten the scales: conditioners or conditioners, hairsprays, preferably plant-based, very durable. Hairdresser Delphine Kurtel confirms. But often all you need is a structuring and volumizing spray to control and style unruly bangs, bangs or even curls.”

Ever since I got back from vacation, my head has been in the door jamb. “Under the attack of UV rays, chlorine and salt, the film protecting the fiber changes, which dries it out,” continues Karim Belghiran. Have you thought about giving your scalp a scrub this September to rid it of any dirt that may be lingering? Only then do we restore the fiber with active ingredients such as vegetable keratin or by enriching the mask with a few drops of nutritional oil.”
In Leonor Greyl, Katie has her method. “For beautiful texture, apply vegetable oil before each shampoo. The scent of Leonore Greil is both restorative and protective, and with its exotic aroma, it gives the head a break even in winter. Apply a cap or two, distribute to lengths and dry ends, then comb through with a boar bristle brush to ensure the treatment is fully absorbed.”

Every fall I lose my hair. It is the famous seasonal autumn, confirms our expert Karim Belghiran. “To stimulate microcirculation, massage the scalp with toning essential oils, such as rosemary, if the scalp is not overly sensitive. Avoid extreme temperatures when washing, neither too hot nor too cold. And consider nutritional supplements, which always cost money, with zinc, B vitamins and/or brewer’s yeast.”

Protect your ecosystem

What does the skin hate the most? Sudden changes in temperature. And ultraviolet. “We are all convinced that something is happening with the climate in the Northern Hemisphere,” confirms Olivier Doucet, Lancaster’s vice president of research and development. Oncologists and dermatologists confirm that increasing the number of sunny days and pollution will inevitably affect the skin. In some areas of France, you can get up to 80% more UV rays with a cumulative dose. So we expect more photoaging and skin cancer…”.

Studies have also shown the cumulative effects of UV radiation and pollution. Therefore, we are seeing more and more city screens hitting the market to be worn as the last step in your skin care routine, right before makeup. Indispensable in Asia, they are still shunned here, where the debate begins anyway; do we have to live under the filter 365 days 365 days? D:^D: Annie Black from Lancôme research is convinced of this.

“UVA is present year-round and can pass through clouds and windows. Summer or winter, cloudy or sunny, the skin needs daily protection because it is UV rays that cause premature aging, wrinkles and pigment spots even through windows.” Other dermatoses, such as D^D: Nadine Pomared believes that in our latitudes it is useless, even counterproductive, to overload our skin with chemical filters, especially if we live in the city. According to her, between October and March, a good day cream and foundation full of antioxidants are more than enough. It depends on you.

It’s all about common sense and lifestyle. If we spend a lot of time outside, we adapt. Anyway, these new ones city ​​blocks no longer have anything to do with the old ones, fat and greasy. Their textures create an invisible, non-sticky second skin on the surface and make makeup easier to apply. Some are even tinted and replace foundation or work on shine, like Lancôme’s UV Expert Supra Screen, which contains 3% niacinamide (or vitamin B3), which is known to inhibit melanin transfer to correct hyperpigmentation for

It also increases the production of ceramides and collagen to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce fine lines. It also contains 3% Green Tech Dandelion, which fights dull skin and protects it from damage caused by pollution. The key remains to have a healthy skin barrier that helps the skin withstand the vagaries of the climate. So we carefully (and gently) cleanse it, moisturize and nourish it every day; in winter just go for your regular cream with a richer texture. And before you complain the next time it rains, tell yourself that your skin, like nature, is happy about it.

(1) VigilanS 75/93 coordinating physician, GHU Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris. (2) Saint-Antoine Hospital, Paris, Author of My Stress Free Box, Ed. Hatchet: (3) “Living better with time “, Ed. Flammarion. virginiehillssone.com