As the temperature continues to soar in Qatar and in the Middle East as a whole, Dr. Mohd Fayez Badawi, Consultant Dermatologist at Al-Ahli Hospital, provides some good advice: “Many people do not take precautions against the ultraviolet rays which can be very harmful.  One needs to use creams with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF).”

 

Dr. Mohd Fayez Badawi added, “People are not aware of the dangers of sunbathing without protection.  One is susceptible to skin irritation and burns.  Sunlight has a profound effect on the skin and can cause premature skin aging and skin cancer.  Drink plenty of water and ensure that you wear light clothing."

 

Skin-care is simple.  Good skin-care involves 3 basic steps: cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting the skin from harmful UV rays.”

 

Talking about the summer here in Doha, Qatar, Dr. Badawi added, “One should try to avoid the afternoon sun in summer when it is the hottest, especially when it comes to children who usually like to stay outdoors during their school holidays.  If they do go out, then ensure that they have a nice shaded area or are not directly under the sun.  One has to ensure as well that the skin exposed to the sun is well-covered.”

 

“One should also regularly check for signs of skin cancer.  We recommend that everyone should examine his or her body on a regular basis.  Any changes in the skin should be checked and if you see dark color spots not noticed before, or large moles, you should immediately contact your Dermatologist.  It is a well-known fact that skin cancer, if picked up at an early stage, has a high cure rate.  Many people do not take adequate sun protection measures or they just forget to re-apply their sun-block creams after spending hours in the sun,” concluded Dr. Badawi.