Après Ski Recovery

After a hard day on the slopes and a hard night in the bar, your skin, head and body is going to need an après ski MOT. Shape up with our recovery guide and live to ski another day.

Restore

Windswept skin needs après ski moisture to stay smooth and soothed. Dry hands, bashed elbows, sore bums, strained wrists and element-exposed hands all need TLC at the end of the day. Warm showers are tempting, but hot water will sap the moisture from already snow-dried skin – use a moisturising shower gel or slap on the body cream afterwards to help sore skin recover quickly. Finally, invest in an antioxidant-rich, vitamin packed night cream to help repair your complexion and tackle signs of ageing.

Consider: Vaseline Intensive Men’s Fast Absorbing Body Lotion, E45 Foot & Heel Cream, Lab Series Night Recovery Lotion.

Recover

There’s nothing like a face full of ice to cure a hangover, but if your headache’s persisting it’s time to take action. With après ski socialising, remember that beer is going to have a bigger effect on your altitude-thinned blood. Save socialising until the skiing’s over, and when back from the bar, make sure you re-hydrate with lots of water. Perk up morning after eyes with refreshing eye drops and maintain your energy levels with a vitamin packed effervescent energy drink.

Consider: Alka-Seltzer (always read the label), Optrex Eye Drops, Boots Re-Energize Effervescent Energy Tablets.

Bumps

Even seasoned skiers get bumps, scrapes, bangs and scratches while on the slopes. A well-stocked first aid kit is vital for any ski holiday. From desk job to mountain jockey, a sudden change in activity level and movements could lead to straining a muscle. The St John’s Ambulance recommends RICE, not for dinner, but for treating the injured tissues surrounding your bone or joint.

R  Rest the affected area
I  Ice the affected area (wrapped in a towel) for 10 minutes
C Comfortable support using padding and a bandage
E Elevate the injury to help reduce swelling.

Consider: Boots Ibuprofen gel (always read the label), Safa Sports First Aid Kit, Deep Freeze Cold Gel,

Scrapes

Cuts and grazes should be washed clean under running water and patted dry with a sterile dressing. Cover cuts with a sterile dressing or plaster and wash the surrounding skin clean with soap and water or a specialist antiseptic wash. 

Consider: Elastoplast Aqua Silver Healing Plaster, Savlon Antiseptic Wound Wash

Burn

Alpine heights increase your skin’s exposure to damaging levels of UV light. If you’re of a ghostly complexion, even careful application of sun block may leave you looking like a red-faced panda. To treat minor sunburn, first get out of the sun. Cool the affected skin by sponging the area with icy water for 10 minutes then once the area has cooled down enough to touch, apply a specialist after-sun product or calamine lotion.

Consider: Soltan After-sun Gel with Aloe Vera, Boots Calamine & Glycerine cream