[Health Byte] is your insider guide to navigating Shanghai's health maze. From the labyrinth of public and private healthcare options to the pulse of cutting-edge medical services, we've got you covered. Each bite-sized article ends with a health tip, making wellness in the city more accessible than ever. Wondering about hospital features, where to find bilingual medics, or the scoop on insurance coverage? "Health Byte" breaks it down, offering clear, actionable insights.

Skin and cosmetic treatment in summer

It's summer in Shanghai, and you know what that means: sweating through your shirt before you even get to the metro, wondering why you own anything other than shorts, and desperately searching for a patch of shade like a stray cat on Nanjing Rd W.

It also means your skin is under siege. Between the soup-thick humidity, oven-grade heat, and a sun that seems personally offended by you, this is peak season for SPF, wide-brimmed hats, and trying not to melt into a human puddle. And the city's cosmetic clinics? Packed. Everyone's in for a touch-up, a facial, or just some air conditioning disguised as "treatment."

"Scientific sun protection is a must," says Zhou Mi, dermatologist at Shanghai Yueyang Hospital, in that calm, factual way doctors have before they hit you with terrifying consequences. "We're talking protection against both UVA and UVB, SPF over 30, and a PA rating of at least +++ – ideally ++++." In other words, your 2018 bottle of SPF 15 from that beach trip to Sanya isn't going to cut it.

And it's not just the lotion game – Zhou is big on "physical protection," too. That means hats wide enough to block your peripheral vision, sunglasses that make you look like you've just joined an idol group, umbrellas for sunny days (yes, that's a thing here), and clothing with UPF ratings so high they might as well come with their own weather forecast.

Zhou's pro tip for surviving Shanghai's scorch season: if you can, stay inside between 10am and 4pm – aka "the hours when the sun is actively trying to cook you." Ignore this, and you might end up with red, itchy, burning skin. If that happens, it's cold compress first, then a soothing, repair-heavy moisturizer. Basically, treat yourself like a delicate soufflé that's just been overbaked.

Summer skin in Shanghai? Expect it to go darker, oilier, and crankier. "The holy trinity is sun protection, cleansing, and oil control," says Zhou. That means an amino acid-based cleanser (gentle, but gets the job done) and resisting the urge to scrub your face like it owes you money. Oily skin? You can bring out the tartaric or salicylic acid once or twice a week – just enough to keep the shine in check without angering the skin gods. And yes, drink water, and eat more vitamin C – heavy foods like tomatoes and blueberries. No, bubble tea doesn't count.

For the beauty clinic crowd, summer is prime time for a little "maintenance." Think hyaluronic acid injections for hydration (because your skin can somehow be oily and dry at the same time), laser hair removal, low-energy radio frequency to patch up your skin barrier, and glycolic acid peels to kick your cell turnover into high gear.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Also Novel Has Skin Care

But it's not all lasers, Botox, and fillers out here. Traditional Chinese medicine has its own beauty toolkit – and it's less "sci-fi" and more "2,000 years of tried-and-tested." Think herbal soups, acupuncture, cupping, tuina 推拿 massage, and guasha 刮痧. According to Dr Li Xin, head of dermatology at Shanghai Yueyang Hospital, these treatments "stimulate facial acupoints and meridians, boost blood circulation and bring back that youthful brightness."

Then there's the hardcore TCM stuff: fire needling, ear bloodletting, and even tiny needle implants in your face. It sounds intense, but these therapies are meant to keep skin healthy and slow down the march of time.

Dr Li says the real magic happens when you combine TCM methods. A tailored mix of herbal medicine, targeted needling, and masks can calm skin inflammation, speed up healing with fire needles, and use herbal masks to rev up skin metabolism while dialing down oil production. Basically, it's the ancient way to treat acne, boost glow and keep you looking fresh – no laser goggles required.

Health Byte Tips: Summer Health Watch – It's Not Just About Sunscreen

Sure, SPF keeps you from frying, but Shanghai doctors say there are a couple of other summer nasties worth keeping on your radar.

Shingles: The Unwanted Encore

If you had chickenpox as a kid, congratulations – the virus (varicella-zoster) is still hanging out in your body, waiting for its big comeback tour. For about one in three people, that reunion comes in the form of shingles: a painful, blistery rash that loves making its debut in people over 50, especially those with chronic conditions.

According to Dr Qian Juying from Zhongshan Hospital, summer's extreme heat, wild swings between air-con and outdoor scorch, plus less-than-ideal diets can weaken immunity, upping your chances of getting hit. And it's not just a rash – shingles can also increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. The good news? There's a vaccine, and it's available at community health centers. Get it before the virus decides to RSVP.

Diabetes Warnings for The Young

Doctors are also sounding the alarm about diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious medical emergency popping up in more young patients lately. DKA happens when your body runs out of insulin, starts burning fat for fuel, and floods your blood with acidic ketones. Left untreated, it can shut down your organs – fast.

Type 1 diabetics are most at risk, but head nurse Xu Li of Changhai Hospital's cerebrovascular disease center warns that even Type 2 diabetics can tip into DKA after one too many cold sugary drinks or ice creams paired with zero exercise. If your summer diet is basically milk tea, gelato, and couch time, consider this your sign to switch things up.

Upcoming Topics

Here's some good news for anyone juggling expat life and healthcare: more and more international hospitals in Shanghai are now covered by the local government-run medical insurance system. That's not just a rubber stamp – it's a nod to their standards and capabilities.

Next time, we'll be hearing straight from these hospitals about what that coverage means, how they're upgrading their services, and what it could mean for your next doctor's visit (and your wallet).

About the Author

Cai Wenjun is a seasoned health reporter with Shanghai Daily. With extensive experience covering the local medical system, hospitals, health officials and leading medical experts, Cai has reported on major pandemics including SARS, swine flu and COVID-19, as well as developments in the local health industry.