Doctors in the UAE are warning that the sharp temperature swings residents experience daily — stepping from Dubai's outdoor heat into heavily air-conditioned buildings and back again — can take a real toll on the body and skin.
Dr Negin Hakim, a family medicine consultant, explains that when someone steps into intense heat, blood vessels near the skin widen to help release warmth, forcing the heart to work harder to cool the body down. That process can lead to dehydration, loss of fluids and salt, dizziness, headaches, fatigue and poor concentration, along with irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and airways, and nasal congestion.
Dr Maurizio Viel, a plastic surgeon, points to what he calls a "common summer paradox" in Dubai: skin that becomes oily and dehydrated at the same time. He says this combination can leave skin feeling tight after a shower, prone to flaking, redness, breakouts, heat rash and facial puffiness, with long-term effects including pigmentation, collagen breakdown and fine lines.
Dr Somayeh Shamsei, a specialist in internal medicine at Aster Clinic in JLT, notes that older adults, pregnant women, people with diabetes and those with cardiac conditions face a higher risk from these temperature swings and should take extra care when moving between hot outdoor spaces and cold indoor environments.
Experts recommend residents stay well hydrated, use a suitable moisturiser, and set air conditioning at home and work to cool more gradually rather than sharply, to reduce the physical and skin-related strain of Dubai's constant climate contrasts.