Flight Impact on Skin Recovery Time and Effective Post-Flight Skincare Routines
Title: Preparing for Flight: A Comprehensive Skincare Guide for Frequent Flyers
Frequent flying can take a toll on your skin, with factors such as altitude, UV rays, and travel stress all contributing to its dehydration and vulnerability. Clinical skincare expert Emma Wedgwood, Clinical Director of Emma Wedgwood Aesthetics, recommends a focused approach for maximizing skin hydration and recovery during the critical 72-hour flight window – the three days before and after flying.
Before You Fly
During the pre-flight period, emphasis should be placed on barrier strengthening and intensive hydration. Strengthening the skin barrier can be achieved through targeted polynucleotide treatments, which support cellular repair, collagen production, and tissue regeneration. These treatments work best as part of a regular in-clinic routine weeks to months prior to flying, not just last minute.
Intensive hydration is crucial, especially using serums with multi-molecular weight hyaluronic acid, deeply hydrating ingredients like squalane, glycerin, and ceramides. Drinking plenty of water is also essential for hydrating from within. Minimizing stress and exposure to harsh environmental factors in the airport, such as fluorescent lighting and dehydration, can help maintain skin health even before boarding.
After You Land
Post-flight skincare practices aim to replenish lost moisture and help skin recover from flight-induced stress. Start with a clean, makeup-free face on the plane, or use gentle cleansing wipes if needed. Applying eye cream to nourish the delicate under-eye area is also recommended.
Hydrating facial mists can refresh and soothe the skin, while hydrating serums, such as polyglutamic acid formulations, retain moisture more effectively than hyaluronic acid. Post-flight "altitude adjustment therapy" involving peptides and facial massage can further aid skin recovery. Incorporating red light therapy or other advanced treatments as part of post-flight care can also accelerate skin recovery for optimal results.
At altitudes of 35,000 feet, UV rays are exceptionally intense, so it's advisable to avoid direct sun exposure after flying. This is also a time when chlorine, salt water, and SPF formulas that may contain alcohol can exacerbate skin damage.
Emma Wedgwood's pre-flight protocol involves using polynucleotides for barrier strengthening, cellular repair, collagen production, and tissue regeneration. The 72-hour flight window refers to the critical three-day period before and after flying, during which skin is most vulnerable and in need of support.
At-home alternatives for altitude adjustment therapy are more affordable and travel-friendly, making it easier for frequent flyers to maintain their skincare routine while on the go. Skincare should not be just for surviving a flight, but for planning ahead, recovering faster, and feeling more confident the moment you land.
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- To combat skincare issues caused by frequent traveling, a focused approach should involve both barrier strengthening and intensive hydration, as recommended by clinical skincare expert Emma Wedgwood.
- During the pre-flight period, targeted polynucleotide treatments can support cellular repair, collagen production, and tissue regeneration, working best as part of a regular regimen prior to flying.
- Post-flight skincare should focus on replenishing lost moisture, with hydrating facial mists and serums being effective for restoring and locking in hydration.
- After landing, practicing "altitude adjustment therapy" with peptides, facial massage, and red light therapy can further aid skin recovery and accelerate results.
- At-home skincare techniques, such as hydrating facial mists, hydrating serums, and gentle cleansing wipes, make it easier for frequent flyers to maintain their skincare routine and look their best while on the go.
