winter 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.

Tips for Combating Dry Skin in the Winter

Each season of the year affects the skin differently. Of the four seasons, winter can be the harshest on the skin. This is particularly true where chronic dryness is concerned. Winter is almost synonymous with causing significant dryness, peeling, cracking, and other similar conditions of the skin if not tended to with special care. These conditions can occur in people of all skin types, including those with normal or oily skin. Below are skin care tips you should add to your skin care routine to help keep your skin moisturized healthy all winter long.

Practice Skin Care From the Inside Out

What you eat inadvertently affects the appearance of your skin. During the winter season, it is more important than ever to eat well and drink plenty of water. While it is true that the holidays allow for a little indulgence, it also remains true that sugar and refined carbohydrates intake should be as minimal as possible. Start by steering clear of sodas and sugary drinks. Instead, focus on drinking the suggested eight glasses of water a day. Fresh fruits and vegetables (especially water-logged ones) and lean meats should also be incorporated into your diet.

Be sure to get ample rest as well. Stress and fatigue can cause the skin to look aged. And, as tempting as it is to lounge around during winter, ensure you get ample amounts of daily exercise.

Tips for Amping Up Your Skin Care Routine

Topical skin care routine is important for complementing the self-care practices listed above. Your skin should be cleansed gently (but thoroughly) at least once a day, and special attention should be paid on moisturizing. Although winter is known for freezing temperatures, the winter sun can still cause damage. Be sure to use moisturizers with SPF protection when spending time outdoors during the day. Also, ensure you wear appropriate clothing at all times. Suitable winter clothing should help protect you from the sun’s harmful rays while also keeping you warm.

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal In The Winter

If you are tired of shaving or waxing to get rid of pesky, unwanted hair on your legs, arms and elsewhere, now is the perfect time to undergo laser hair removal. Let’s face it, most people think more about hair removal in summer when it’s beach and bikini season, yet scheduling laser hair removal in winter has a number of benefits.

Tips For Taking Care of Your Skin During The Holidays

During the holidays, your skin may be the last thing on your mind. However, it is more important than ever to protect your skin from harsh winter conditions that can cause it to become dry or irritated. Here are skin care tips to make taking care of your skin during the hectic holiday season simple and effective:

Clean, Moisturize, and Exfoliate. The holidays are the perfect opportunity to capture your memories in photographs. It is important to cleanse and moisturize your skin every day to make sure it is glowing and photo-ready! Before putting on your makeup, apply an oil-free moisturizer to your skin. This will create a smooth base and keep your skin healthy and happy. Before going to bed, remember to cleanse your skin and remove all of your cosmetics. To remove dead skin cells, you should exfoliate a few times a month as well.

Below are just a few of the many products Universal Dermatology & Vein Care offer to help cleanse, moisturize, and exfoliate.

• ZO Foamacleanse is great for all skin types, helps reduce oil production but also mild enough for dry skin.
• Epionce Milky cleanser works well for dry skin and can help nourish the skin in these harsh winter months.
• Environ super moisturizer+ is a moisturizing cream formulated to help comfort the skin while moisture levels are being restored.
• Universal Gentle Glycolic Cleanser is formulated to help gently exfoliate the skin without harming or irritating the skin.

Drink Plenty of Water. Alcohol is often served at holiday parties. Drinking this type of beverage can cause your skin to become dehydrated. If you will be enjoying a few cocktails, it is essential to drink plenty of water so that your face keeps its rejuvenated appearance.

Avoid Sugar. Although the holidays are filled with cookies and other sweet treats, sugar can make your skin appear puffy. Maintaining a balanced diet will keep your skin looking its best.

Clean Your Makeup Brushes. Make sure you keep your brushes and applicators clean before applying your makeup. Bacteria and oil accumulate on these tools, which can cause acne breakouts and irritation. To avoid these problems, rinse your brushes and applicators in warm, soapy water then allow ample time for them to dry.

Following these tips will help ensure that you have beautiful skin throughout the holiday season. If you want to receive professional help to look your best for the holidays, contact us!

The Importance of Rejuvenating Your Skin During Winter

Many people get depressed during the cold winter months. It is a time when a majority of individuals cover up and hide. However, a chemical peel is the perfect aesthetic procedure to make you feel better as it brings renewal and rejuvenation to your skin.

Reasons Winter is the Perfect Time for a Chemical Peel-

Winter is a time when the sun does not shine as much or as often as in the months of the summer. Low UV levels provide the perfect conditions for quick skin healing. There are many other reasons why it is important to undergo this treatment during winter.

During the cold months of the year, skin tends to become dry and tight, especially when it experiences extreme temperature changes. Also, conditions like rosacea and eczema tend to flare at this time of year as well. A skin peel targets these issues by exfoliating dry and dead skin and adding hydration.

Misconceptions about Chemical Peels-

Many people believe chemical peels are painful and cause the skin to become extremely dry. However, this is not the case. Most treatments include vitamins and gentle acids that remove various layers of damaged skin with minimal discomfort.

What are the Benefits of Chemical Peels?

With the use of chemicals, the body is able to shed its outer layer of skin. This eliminates dead cells that clog pores. After treatment, a new skin layer is revealed, which provides a fresh and more youthful appearance. It is a smart way to get rid of sun damage and minimize the look of mild scars. A chemical peel can also lower the appearance of fine wrinkles and regulate skin color. If you suffer from mild acne or blackheads, the treatment offers a clearer complexion.

Other Winter Skincare Tips-

Even though the sun does not shine as brightly in the winter, it is still important to apply sunscreen each day, especially after receiving a chemical peel. It is also wise to use humidifiers throughout the house. Heating systems pump hot air, which dries the atmosphere and your skin. Humidifiers add moisture so that skin remains hydrated.

Universal Dermatology & Vein Care uses the latest technologies to improve the health and appearance of clients’ skin. Do not let winter conditions negatively affect your body. For more information about chemical peels, schedule a consultation today.

Tips For Your Skin During The Winter Months

Winter gives your skin a double whammy. When outside, cold temperatures and high winds combine to stress your skin. Indoors, warm air from the furnace continues the work, drying it out to produce dull, lifeless and sometimes cracked skin. Skin health doesn’t have to suffer during colder weather if you use simple techniques to alleviate dry skin. Follow these skin tips for great-looking skin over the next few months.

Use Sunscreen. Yes, it’s important even in winter. The sun may not be out much, but your skin still needs protection. Winter sun combined with snow glare can damage your skin. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with zinc oxide does a great job of repelling rays before they enter your skin.

Moisturize More. Light moisturizers are great for spring and summer, but as the weather changes, so must your routine. Choose a moisturizer that is oil-based to create a protective layer over the skin, but chooses with care. Look for oils that won’t clog the pores such as avocado oil, mineral oil, primrose oil or almond oil. Lotions with glycerine, sorbitol, and alpha-hydroxy that attract moisture to your skin are also good. For your entire body, mix a few drops of olive or grapeseed oil into the bathwater, or try an oatmeal bath to make irritated skin feel better.

Ditch Overly Hot Baths. Speaking of baths, soaking in a hot tub may feel great in chilly weather, but your skin won’t thank you. The intense heat breaks down lipid barriers leading to a loss of moisture.

Take Extra Care of Hands and Feet. Winter takes a heavier toll on your hands because the skin there is thinner. Wear gloves outside and apply moisturizer frequently, especially after washing your hands. For very dry hands, apply cream instead of lotion. Applying cream right before bed and then wearing cotton gloves is a great way to avoid extreme dryness.

Similarly, don’t let your feet, especially the heels, turn into a callused and cracked mess. Exfoliate and moisturize frequently and don’t forget to wear socks at night to help creams absorb.

Sometimes no matter what you do, your skin health suffers in winter so much so that you need a prescription or professional advice. Visit the professionals at Universal Dermatology before your dry winter skin turns into a crisis.