skin damage Tag

Preventing Dry Skin in the Winter

As the weather begins to change, cold winds and dry air can lead to red, itchy, and cracked skin. This is why now is the time to adjust your skincare routine. Here are some tips to help you prevent dry skin and keep your skin feeling its best during the cold season:

Use a Humidifier

One of the main reasons skin dries out in the winter is the lack of humidity in the air. It is best to use a humidifier in your house and work environment. If you have to choose one place, our advice would be the bedroom. Here, your skin will be exposed to moisture in the air throughout the night and keep it fresh for the day ahead.

Change Your Shower Routine

Some people take warmer and longer showers during the winter months. While this is great for defrosting cold toes, the steam will dilate pores and allow extra water to evaporate from your skin. Warm water also strips natural oils away. If you have to use warm water when you bathe, try to shorten your time in the shower. Drying appropriately is also important to keep your skin healthy.  You should not rub your body because the towel is abrasive against the skin and may cause irritation, as well as dry skin to flake off and patches to spread. Instead, try gently patting away the water.

Stay Hydrated

Although you should always drink plenty of water throughout the day, it is particularly important during the winter months. You should drink 8-10 glasses of water per day. This will help to keep moisture in your skin. This is especially helpful if you frequently consume alcohol and coffee, which are diuretics and dehydrate you.

Protect Your Skin from the Outside Elements

When you must go outside, it is essential to protect your skin. You should cover any exposed areas with a scarf, gloves, and a hat. On a windy day, your skin may become dry and red from exposure. Also, winter may be a dark season, but the sun still shines brightly on certain days.  It is necessary to wear a moisturizing sunscreen that will keep your skin protected from the sun as well.

Remove Makeup Carefully

The way you remove your makeup at the end of the night can dry out your skin. Many women use convenient cosmetic remover wipes, but, most of these products contain alcohol or similar ingredients that can be extremely drying. A better alternative is cold cream (an emulsion of water and oil). This item has been around since the second-century but still has a lot of great qualities. It will add moisture to your skin while effectively removing makeup.

Choose the Perfect Moisturizer

If you enter any store, you probably are bombarded with hundreds of moisturizing products. It is important to know how to choose a product that works for your specific skin type.

You may wonder whether to use a lotion, ointment, or cream. The difference is the amount of water that each contains. Most lotions are comprised of a high volume of water when compared to the other ointments and creams.  This means that if you have extremely dry skin, a cream or ointment is a smarter option. As you read the ingredient labels, look for a product that contains humectants. These draw moisture from the inner layer of your skin to the other layers. A common humectant is a glycerin. Another helpful ingredient is an occlusive agent (Lanolin, mineral oil, or paraffin). These will create a barrier to your skin that seals in moisture and adds a protective wall.

Be sure to apply moisturizer after showering (and drying off correctly). You should also have a bottle of hand cream available at home and at work. This is especially important if you frequently wash your hands throughout the day.

Visit a Trusted Dermatologist

The best way to care for your skin during cold weather is to visit a dermatologist. An experienced doctor can offer more preventative tips that will keep your skin from drying out. They will also be able to provide recommendations based on your specific skin condition and type.

At Universal Dermatology & Vein Care, we are dedicated to finding a treatment that targets each patient’s individual needs. Whether you are having trouble with acne, varicose veins, or dry skin, you will benefit from our services. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact us today.

Protect Against Skin Damage with These 4 Skin Care Summer Habits

Summer is synonymous with sweat, sun, and sea. It is also the time of year when we kick our health and skin care habits into overdrive. Thanks to extra exposure added to the sun’s UV rays, summer is when we are more likely to experience skin damage. To protect ourselves and our skin, the following skin care habits should become second nature.

1. Eat Well and Exercise

As amazing and effective as topical treatments and procedures can be, regular exercise and eating well is still the first step to great skin care and good general health. As a rule, drink lots of water and stay away from sugary snacks, processed carbohydrates, and too much salt. Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables (especially hydrating, waterlogged ones), lean meats, fiber-rich grains and more. Also do at least 30 to 45 minutes of moderate exercise daily.

2. Wear Sunscreen

Sunscreen is perhaps the most important tool in your healthy summer skin bag of tricks. Sunscreen must be worn at all times when going outdoors. While no sunscreen can block all of the sun’s UV rays, be sure to use a sunscreen of SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30, as these have been shown to effectively block up to 97% of the sun’s rays.

3. Use protective gear

Since the sun’s UV rays are very damaging to the skin, reducing direct contact between UV rays and the skin is the name of the game. In addition to applying sunscreen, using umbrellas, wearing sun visors or caps, and sitting in the shade when outdoors can all go a long way to protecting against UV rays related skin damage.

4. Develop a skin care routine

During the summer, it is important to keep up with your skincare routine. Be sure to gently wash and cleanse the skin regularly, as well as moisturize. Use the products that work well with your skin type.

For further information about how to protect yourself from summer’s strong UV rays, contact Universal Dermatology today.