Let It Glow!

Written by Staff

Jack Frost and Old Man Winter… names that make children giggle in anticipation of snowmen and days off school, can make many adults cringe at the thought of dry, cracked and often painful hands, face and feet.  In the days to come, many of us will go through several bottles of hand lotion, moisturizing creams and even homemade concoctions to ease the effects of winter’s blast on our skin. 

The skin is made up of several layers of cells and thousands of oil glands. The oil that the glands produce keeps the skin from losing moisture and makes it supple and soft. But your skin is constantly losing moisture into the air and every time you wash you strip away much of the oil, letting more moisture evaporate and drying the skin. However in humid conditions, such as during the summer months, the skin can replenish itself by soaking up moisture from the air. So when the humidity drops, as it does in many places during the winter, your skin loses another opportunity to moisturize itself. Couple that with the low humidity of indoor heating, and hotter showers and baths, and your skin can become dry and irritated.

The primary dilemma for your skin during the winter months is dryness.  Saadia Raza, MD, co-director of the Skin Surgery Center of Missouri comments, “It is important to continue to moisturize skin during the colder months and maybe even use thicker, creamier products.  Also, use gentle cleansers for the face and body so that you are not stripping away the important natural oils that protect the skin during this time.”  Stefan B. Craig, MD of Renaissance Plastic Surgery agrees and cautions, “We tend to use moisturizers on our skin that unfortunately may have a lot of alcohol, petroleum, and minerals oils that mask the symptoms but in reality only dry out our skin even more.”

What is best for your skin in the summertime is not usually what your skin needs in the winter.  Bob Miller, owner of Salon de Christé suggests “consulting an esthetician that can evaluate your skin’s changing needs and create a treatment and skincare routine that will allow you to look and feel your best.”

Sun can also be unpredictably damaging in the winter months.  Many of us don’t think to slather on the sunscreen before heading outside to build Frosty with the family.  The glare of the sun from snow can be just as damaging as direct sunlight is during the hot summer months.  Be sure to apply sunscreen about 30 minutes prior to the first snowball fight and reapply during prolonged exposure.

Simple adjustments to daily routines can also have significant results for your skin.  Experts recommend taking lukewarm baths, rather than long hot showers.  Apply moisturizers and lotions after bathing while your skin is still wet to lock in that moisture.  Dr. Craig adds, “Use topical products consisting of mostly hydrators, such as hylauronic acids which hold 1000 times their weight in water.”  Another important reminder is to not over exfoliate your skin. 

Healthy skin also looks great.  Miller remarks, “Fall and winter months are an ideal time for advanced skincare treatments.  Our estheticians perform both lactic acid and alpha hydroxy facials that reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and leave your skin smoother and brighter. Everyone wants to look their best for the holidays and you will see improvements after a single treatment.”

Dr. Raza continues, “This time of year is very busy, because some cosmetic procedures we offer are better tolerated when the sun is not so bright. There is a decrease in the risk of post-op darkening of the skin after facial rejuvenation procedures such as chemical peels and laser resurfacing.”

Whether you are suffering from the ill effects of winter’s chill on your skin, or simply trying to look your best for the holidays, consult the experts for help.  Renaissance Plastic Surgery, Salon de Christé and the Skin Surgery Center of Missouri are all local businesses that have skilled professionals able to lend a hand.