If you start to notice your skin beginning to flake and crack, it may be time to make an action plan to keep your skin in the best condition you can during these chilly times! We want to share a few of the tips that will keep your skin in the best possible shape this Winter season!
1. Lather Up!
One of the best ways to stay moisturized during the winter is MOISTURIZER! “Many patients tell me that they don’t like to moisturize daily,” mentions Dr. Miriam Hanson, board-certified Dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology in Austin, Texas. It is important to stay consistent with your moisturizing regimen this year, and you may want to switch over to a heavier cream during the cooler weather if you feel like you aren’t seeing great results.
2. Sunscreen too!
We know… swimsuits are neatly folded in your dresser drawers, but that doesn’t mean the sun is gone! “One of the most important messages that we can share with our patients is that they use sunscreen year-round,” mentions Dr. Adam Mamelak, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs Micrographic Surgeon at Sanova Dermatology in Austin, Texas. “This not only combats UV rays and prevents skin cancer, but it also helps to protect your skin from sun damage,” Dr. Mamelak shares. This is great to apply after you have finished your skincare routine as the final layer to complete the system of protecting your skin!
3. Avoid Hot Baths/Showers
This may be the hardest step of all. A warm, hot shower or bath can be exactly what a chilly day needs, but the hot water has the ability to steal the moisture that your skin craves. “Although it seems harmless, hot showers can truly do damage to the moisturizing qualities of the skin,” states Dr. Hanson. Turn the temperature down a bit and get your warmth from hot chocolate and cozy blankets!
4. Don’t Forget The Lips!
It is easy to forget that you need to take extra care of your lips during these cooler temperatures. The area around the mouth is quite sensitive, and cracking or bleeding lips can be just thing to ruin your holiday season. “Many chap-sticks do the opposite of what you want them to,” mentions Sanova Dermatology – North Austin’s Aesthetician Amy Bowen. “I tend to suggest petroleum-based products like Vaseline or Auqaphor because they help keep that moisture in the lips,” she explains.
5. Use A Humidifier
When those extra-chilly days start to happen more frequently, you start to notice you have to apply lotion more frequently. The addition of a humidifier to your home or work environment can help combat dryness by offering much-needed moisture into the air. “Humidifiers can be extremely helpful to those who have chronic dryness or those with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis,” Dr. Mamelak shares.
6. Visit Your Dermatologist
If you feel that you have tried every trick in the book and that pesky dry skin persists, it is probably time for you to look into professional assistance with your skin. “Consistent dryness and cracking of the skin can be a sign of bigger skin conditions that patients may not know about or consider,” notes Dr. Hanson. This makes it extremely important for you to take the initiative to see your Dermatologist if you are having a considerable amount of dryness.
7. Now Is The Time!
If you have been eying a skin rejuvenation procedure, now is the time! Many cosmetic procedures and lasers, such as chemical peels, skin resurfacing, and Laser Hair Removal, recommend that you stay out of the sun after your procedure, which can be tricky during the spring and summer months. That makes it the perfect time to take advantage of these cooler months for helping restore and rejuvenate your skin! Other procedures that are great for this time of year include sclerotherapy or vascular laser therapy, for unwanted spider and varicose veins.
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Still have more questions regarding your winter skincare routine? Please contact us today. Tailoring a routine to your skin can be the perfect gift to yourself this holiday season!
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