Tibetans hope to get rid of red cheeks

For thousands of years, Tibetan people have had flushed cheeks due to the plateau's harsh conditions. However, it is only in recent years that some of them have found the redness irritating.

The face of Tibetans appears ruddy all year round mainly because their facial skin suffers hypoxia and thus the number of red blood cells increases, according to Ngoezhub Norbu, a professor of high altitude medicine with the Tibet University.

The flush is worsened by intense ultraviolet radiation, variation in temperature between day and night and the bitter cold in winter, said the professor.

Outside the Jokhang Temple in Tibet's capital of Lhasa, many locals who circle the temple while spinning their prayer wheels wear hats, masks and scarves in order to block ultraviolet rays, rather than being exposed to strong sunlight for hours a day as they did years ago.

"In the past, I often chatted with friends under the scorching sun until it went down. But now, we move to the tea house or simply meet at home," said Namgyal, a 78-year-old Lhasa resident.

These changes in lifestyle reflect increasing health awareness, with many Tibetan urbanites now having connections to the outside world compared to their rural counterparts.

"We used to bask in the sun for warmth and had no knowledge of the harm the exposure could do. Today, we have a better understanding of how to protect ourselves," said Degyi, a saleswoman of cosmetics in downtown Lhasa.

She said skin care has increasingly become an essential part of life of young Tibetans. "Sunscreens and whitening products are among the best-sellers," she added.

Soinam Wangmo, a Tibetan graduate from the Shenyang Dance Academy in northeast China's Liaoning Province, said she favored skin cream and masks to remove facial flush unique to residents in plateau regions.

"Many Tibetans went inland to study, some did so right after they finished primary school. Inevitably their habits and ideas of beauty have significantly changed," said the woman who came back to Lhasa this year.

"Like the young generation, I myself also hope to get rid of the flush on my face. But I guess it's already too late for me to make the change," said Namgyal.