[Post-Golden Week Skin Fatigue Survey] 78.3% Experience Skin Problems After Long Holiday, But Only 19.3% Consult a Dermatologist
A survey by IC Clinic, operated by Medical Corporation Tetsuetsu-kai, revealed that approximately 80% experience skin problems after Golden Week, yet less than 20% consult a dermatologist. Sunburn and irregular lifestyle are the main causes, highlighting the need for proper self-care and encouraging medical consultation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 27, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 09:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 17:16 (31h 45m after Collected)
### [Conclusion] Key Points of This Survey
In conclusion, post-Golden Week skin roughness is exacerbated by the combination of three factors: "inflammation due to sunburn," "disruption of skin cell turnover due to lack of sleep," and "decreased barrier function due to environmental changes." Intensive moisturizing within 72 hours after returning from a trip is key for sunburn and dryness care. If symptoms do not improve for more than a week, a dermatology visit should be considered. To reset skin after the long holiday, it is effective to first regulate one's lifestyle and switch to low-irritation skincare.
- It was found that 78.3%, approximately 80% of people, experienced skin problems after Golden Week.
- The leading cause of skin trouble was "sunburn/UV damage" at 42.7%.
- 62.4% of people did not consult a dermatologist even when symptoms lasted for over a week.
Terminology Explanation
■ What is skin cell turnover?
Skin cell turnover refers to the metabolic cycle of epidermal cells from their birth until they shed. It usually occurs in a 28-day cycle, and disruption due to lack of sleep, stress, or UV damage can cause skin roughness and dullness.
■ What is skin barrier function?
Skin barrier function refers to the role of the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, in protecting the body from external stimuli and preventing water evaporation. When damaged by dryness, friction, or UV rays, symptoms such as skin roughness, itching, and redness are likely to appear.
■ What is photoaging?
Photoaging is the phenomenon of skin aging due to long-term exposure to ultraviolet light. It is considered a major cause of spots, wrinkles, and sagging, and progresses through a different mechanism than natural aging, so UV protection is key to prevention.
Comparison of Post-Golden Week Skin Trouble Countermeasures
| Comparison Item | Self-Care | Dermatologist Visit |
| :-------------- | :-------------------------------- | :--------------------------------- |
| Applicable Symptoms | Mild dryness, temporary skin roughness | Symptoms lasting over a week, inflammation, eczema |
| Estimated Cost | 1,000-5,000 yen (OTC drugs, cosmetics) | 1,000-3,000 yen (30% co-pay for insured medical care) |
| Time to Improvement | 3 days - 2 weeks | 1-2 weeks (with appropriate treatment) |
| Recurrence Risk | Difficult to identify cause, prone to recurrence | Root cause addressed by diagnosis, making fundamental countermeasures possible |
| Advantages | Easy, can start immediately | Accurate diagnosis, reliable treatment with prescription drugs |
| Disadvantages | Risk of worsening, individual differences in effect | Need to visit clinic, secure consultation time |
*These are general guidelines and may vary individually.
IC Clinic, operated by Medical Corporation Tetsuetsu-kai (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Omiya clinics), conducted a survey on awareness regarding skin problems after Golden Week. This survey investigated the experiences of skin problems after long holidays, their causes, and seeking medical attention among 300 men and women aged 20s to 50s nationwide.
Background of the Survey
Golden Week is a period when opportunities for UV exposure increase due to travel and leisure, and it's also common for lifestyle rhythms and dietary habits to become disrupted. Every year after Golden Week, our clinic sees an increase in consultations like "I got sunburned during the holidays" or "My skin got worse after returning from my trip." However, many people neglect their symptoms, thinking it's "just temporary," often leading to prolonged conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this survey was to clarify the reality of post-Golden Week skin problems and current consultation behaviors, and to raise awareness about the importance of appropriate care.
Survey Results
[Survey Result] Approximately 80% Experience Skin Problems After Golden Week
Question: Have you ever experienced skin problems (dryness, roughness, acne, post-sunburn symptoms, etc.) after Golden Week?
Combining "feel every year" and "feel occasionally" totals 78.3%, revealing that approximately 80% of people experience some form of skin trouble after Golden Week. This suggests that the impact of long holidays on the skin is greater than imagined.
[Survey Result] Top Cause: "Sunburn/UV Damage" at 42.7%
Question: What do you think is the most applicable cause of skin problems after Golden Week?
Sunburn/UV damage accounted for the highest percentage at 42.7%, followed by lack of sleep/irregular lifestyle at 28.3%. Golden Week increases outdoor activities but also late nights, indicating that skin is damaged from both UV exposure and lifestyle habits.
[Survey Result] Approximately 70% Deal with It Only with Self-Care
Question: How do you deal with skin problems when they occur after Golden Week?
A total of 68.3% of people dealt with it through self-care (cosmetics/medications), while only 19.3% consulted a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. This reveals the reality that many people neglect symptoms without receiving a professional diagnosis.
[Survey Result]
Keywords:
In conclusion, post-Golden Week skin roughness is exacerbated by the combination of three factors: "inflammation due to sunburn," "disruption of skin cell turnover due to lack of sleep," and "decreased barrier function due to environmental changes." Intensive moisturizing within 72 hours after returning from a trip is key for sunburn and dryness care. If symptoms do not improve for more than a week, a dermatology visit should be considered. To reset skin after the long holiday, it is effective to first regulate one's lifestyle and switch to low-irritation skincare.
- It was found that 78.3%, approximately 80% of people, experienced skin problems after Golden Week.
- The leading cause of skin trouble was "sunburn/UV damage" at 42.7%.
- 62.4% of people did not consult a dermatologist even when symptoms lasted for over a week.
Terminology Explanation
■ What is skin cell turnover?
Skin cell turnover refers to the metabolic cycle of epidermal cells from their birth until they shed. It usually occurs in a 28-day cycle, and disruption due to lack of sleep, stress, or UV damage can cause skin roughness and dullness.
■ What is skin barrier function?
Skin barrier function refers to the role of the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, in protecting the body from external stimuli and preventing water evaporation. When damaged by dryness, friction, or UV rays, symptoms such as skin roughness, itching, and redness are likely to appear.
■ What is photoaging?
Photoaging is the phenomenon of skin aging due to long-term exposure to ultraviolet light. It is considered a major cause of spots, wrinkles, and sagging, and progresses through a different mechanism than natural aging, so UV protection is key to prevention.
Comparison of Post-Golden Week Skin Trouble Countermeasures
| Comparison Item | Self-Care | Dermatologist Visit |
| :-------------- | :-------------------------------- | :--------------------------------- |
| Applicable Symptoms | Mild dryness, temporary skin roughness | Symptoms lasting over a week, inflammation, eczema |
| Estimated Cost | 1,000-5,000 yen (OTC drugs, cosmetics) | 1,000-3,000 yen (30% co-pay for insured medical care) |
| Time to Improvement | 3 days - 2 weeks | 1-2 weeks (with appropriate treatment) |
| Recurrence Risk | Difficult to identify cause, prone to recurrence | Root cause addressed by diagnosis, making fundamental countermeasures possible |
| Advantages | Easy, can start immediately | Accurate diagnosis, reliable treatment with prescription drugs |
| Disadvantages | Risk of worsening, individual differences in effect | Need to visit clinic, secure consultation time |
*These are general guidelines and may vary individually.
IC Clinic, operated by Medical Corporation Tetsuetsu-kai (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Omiya clinics), conducted a survey on awareness regarding skin problems after Golden Week. This survey investigated the experiences of skin problems after long holidays, their causes, and seeking medical attention among 300 men and women aged 20s to 50s nationwide.
Background of the Survey
Golden Week is a period when opportunities for UV exposure increase due to travel and leisure, and it's also common for lifestyle rhythms and dietary habits to become disrupted. Every year after Golden Week, our clinic sees an increase in consultations like "I got sunburned during the holidays" or "My skin got worse after returning from my trip." However, many people neglect their symptoms, thinking it's "just temporary," often leading to prolonged conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this survey was to clarify the reality of post-Golden Week skin problems and current consultation behaviors, and to raise awareness about the importance of appropriate care.
Survey Results
[Survey Result] Approximately 80% Experience Skin Problems After Golden Week
Question: Have you ever experienced skin problems (dryness, roughness, acne, post-sunburn symptoms, etc.) after Golden Week?
Combining "feel every year" and "feel occasionally" totals 78.3%, revealing that approximately 80% of people experience some form of skin trouble after Golden Week. This suggests that the impact of long holidays on the skin is greater than imagined.
[Survey Result] Top Cause: "Sunburn/UV Damage" at 42.7%
Question: What do you think is the most applicable cause of skin problems after Golden Week?
Sunburn/UV damage accounted for the highest percentage at 42.7%, followed by lack of sleep/irregular lifestyle at 28.3%. Golden Week increases outdoor activities but also late nights, indicating that skin is damaged from both UV exposure and lifestyle habits.
[Survey Result] Approximately 70% Deal with It Only with Self-Care
Question: How do you deal with skin problems when they occur after Golden Week?
A total of 68.3% of people dealt with it through self-care (cosmetics/medications), while only 19.3% consulted a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. This reveals the reality that many people neglect symptoms without receiving a professional diagnosis.
[Survey Result]
Keywords: