Winterize Your Skin
Dermatologists’ Top Tips for Surviving the Cold
Norwell, MA, January 20, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Most people go to great lengths to winterize their house and car, yet they neglect to give the body’s largest organ the same TLC. Is it any wonder they can’t shake that dry, itchy feeling during the winter months? No doubt the drop in temperatures, combined with low humidity and indoor heating, can strip the skin of moisture and cause dryness and cracking. However, making a few simple changes to your daily skin care routine in the winter months can help offset this problem.
"When it comes to skin care routines, there is no such thing as ‘one size fits all,’" said Dr. Kathryn Bowers, president of the Massachusetts Academy of Dermatology. "Many people find that they must use separate skin care regimens in the summer and winter.
When the relative humidity inside drops below 60 percent, your skin begins to lose moisture, causing you to feel the dryness and itching that irritates so many during the winter months. Changing your skin care regimen to address the change in humidity is an important factor for maintaining healthy winter skin."
The skin is made up of several layers of cells. The epidermis, the top layer of the skin, along with the oil glands, produce lipids (fatty substances), and these lipids keep the skin from losing moisture and make it soft and supple. Your skin is constantly losing moisture into the air and every time you wash your skin, you strip away these lipids, letting more moisture evaporate and drying the skin.
In humid conditions, the skin can replenish itself by soaking up moisture from the air. When the humidity drops, as it does in many places in the winter, your skin loses another opportunity to moisturize itself. Couple that with the low humidity of indoor heating, as well as hot showers and baths and your skin is bound to become dry and irritated.
"The most important winter skin care tip that dermatologists give patients is to moisturize properly," said Dr. Bowers. "When choosing a moisturizer, check product labels and look for creams not lotions containing any of the following ingredients: petrolatum; mineral oil; linoleic acid; ceramides; dimethicone; or glycerin." For best results, she recommends applying moisturizers to the skin within three minutes of stepping out of the shower or bath. This will help trap the water in the upper layers of the skin and decrease dryness and itching.
New moisture rinses, found in the moisturizer aisle of your drug store, can be applied in the shower while you are still wet.
Some over the counter products contain alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic acid. This ingredient can help to treat dry, peeling skin. There may be a stinging sensation if applied to cracked open skin.
Dry cracked hands are one of the most common winter complaints. Use a moisturizer cream after each handwashing. In addition, apply a thick ointment such as Vaseline to the hands and cover them with cotton gloves in the evening. "Liquid Band-Aid" or "Crazy Glue" can be applied to help heal the cracks.
Other cosmetic ingredients that can be beneficial for winter skin are retinoids. Although products containing retinoids can be used in the summer, you can use them in the winter with less worry of increased sun sensitivity since people tend to spend more time indoors. Retinoid products can be used to decrease acne and oiliness, reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots, and help retard the signs of aging.
"Retinoids are a great way to reduce the appearance of sun spots that developed over the summer," said Dr. Bowers. "However, products containing retinoids may be drying and increase the chance of skin flaking and redness, so it’s important to use them with heavy moisturizers. Also, if you are using retinoids and plan to be in the sun, you should wear a sunscreen containing an SPF of 15 or higher, regardless of the season, to combat the increased sun sensitivity that is associated with these products."
While over-the-counter (OTC) retinoid products, such as Retinol, are becoming more widespread in the consumer marketplace, some patients may require higher levels of retinoids than what you can buy OTC to see results, and these products are available only by prescription. If you have extremely dry skin, Dr. Bowers recommends looking for a retinoid product that contains mineral oil and is therefore more hydrating.
According to Dr. Bowers, "If you are having trouble dealing with your skin, in spite of the weather, my best advice is to visit a dermatologist who can work with you to devise a personal skin care regimen."
Kathryn Bowers, M.D., a physician with Dermatology Associates in Concord, Mass., is President of the Massachusetts Academy of Dermatology. The Massachusetts Academy of Dermatology is the professional society for more than 300 practicing dermatologists in the Commonwealth. It is committed to advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin. For more information, visit www.massacademyofdermatology.org
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"When it comes to skin care routines, there is no such thing as ‘one size fits all,’" said Dr. Kathryn Bowers, president of the Massachusetts Academy of Dermatology. "Many people find that they must use separate skin care regimens in the summer and winter.
When the relative humidity inside drops below 60 percent, your skin begins to lose moisture, causing you to feel the dryness and itching that irritates so many during the winter months. Changing your skin care regimen to address the change in humidity is an important factor for maintaining healthy winter skin."
The skin is made up of several layers of cells. The epidermis, the top layer of the skin, along with the oil glands, produce lipids (fatty substances), and these lipids keep the skin from losing moisture and make it soft and supple. Your skin is constantly losing moisture into the air and every time you wash your skin, you strip away these lipids, letting more moisture evaporate and drying the skin.
In humid conditions, the skin can replenish itself by soaking up moisture from the air. When the humidity drops, as it does in many places in the winter, your skin loses another opportunity to moisturize itself. Couple that with the low humidity of indoor heating, as well as hot showers and baths and your skin is bound to become dry and irritated.
"The most important winter skin care tip that dermatologists give patients is to moisturize properly," said Dr. Bowers. "When choosing a moisturizer, check product labels and look for creams not lotions containing any of the following ingredients: petrolatum; mineral oil; linoleic acid; ceramides; dimethicone; or glycerin." For best results, she recommends applying moisturizers to the skin within three minutes of stepping out of the shower or bath. This will help trap the water in the upper layers of the skin and decrease dryness and itching.
New moisture rinses, found in the moisturizer aisle of your drug store, can be applied in the shower while you are still wet.
Some over the counter products contain alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic acid. This ingredient can help to treat dry, peeling skin. There may be a stinging sensation if applied to cracked open skin.
Dry cracked hands are one of the most common winter complaints. Use a moisturizer cream after each handwashing. In addition, apply a thick ointment such as Vaseline to the hands and cover them with cotton gloves in the evening. "Liquid Band-Aid" or "Crazy Glue" can be applied to help heal the cracks.
Other cosmetic ingredients that can be beneficial for winter skin are retinoids. Although products containing retinoids can be used in the summer, you can use them in the winter with less worry of increased sun sensitivity since people tend to spend more time indoors. Retinoid products can be used to decrease acne and oiliness, reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots, and help retard the signs of aging.
"Retinoids are a great way to reduce the appearance of sun spots that developed over the summer," said Dr. Bowers. "However, products containing retinoids may be drying and increase the chance of skin flaking and redness, so it’s important to use them with heavy moisturizers. Also, if you are using retinoids and plan to be in the sun, you should wear a sunscreen containing an SPF of 15 or higher, regardless of the season, to combat the increased sun sensitivity that is associated with these products."
While over-the-counter (OTC) retinoid products, such as Retinol, are becoming more widespread in the consumer marketplace, some patients may require higher levels of retinoids than what you can buy OTC to see results, and these products are available only by prescription. If you have extremely dry skin, Dr. Bowers recommends looking for a retinoid product that contains mineral oil and is therefore more hydrating.
According to Dr. Bowers, "If you are having trouble dealing with your skin, in spite of the weather, my best advice is to visit a dermatologist who can work with you to devise a personal skin care regimen."
Kathryn Bowers, M.D., a physician with Dermatology Associates in Concord, Mass., is President of the Massachusetts Academy of Dermatology. The Massachusetts Academy of Dermatology is the professional society for more than 300 practicing dermatologists in the Commonwealth. It is committed to advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin. For more information, visit www.massacademyofdermatology.org
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Contact
Mass Academy of Dermatology
Martin Cohn
781-982-8899
www.massacademyofdermatology.org
Martin Cohn
781-982-8899
www.massacademyofdermatology.org
Contact
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