Down here in the Houston area, we don’t have winters characterized by tons of ice and snow and sub-zero temperatures. But we do have enough cold air and wind to play havoc with your skin. It’s that time of year, and here are some ways to breeze through it with great-looking, healthy skin.
Be good to your skin with these great skin care tips
Here are 8 winter skin care tips that you can start using right away.
- If dry, flaky skin is an issue, it’s not a bad idea to consult a dermatologist before devising your own treatment practices. A skin professional will understand specifically what’s going on with your skin and recommend the most efficient course of treatment.
- Sometimes it seems as if the winter wind literally sucks the moisture out of your skin. Moisturizer applications that softened and healed your skin in the warmer months might need to be increased in the winter. For best results, buy a high-quality, oil-based moisturizer for daily use. Oils that won’t clog your facial pores include almond, avocado, primrose and mineral.
- Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean the sun can’t damage your skin. All year long, the ultraviolet rays of the sun are potentially harmful (i.e., skin cancer) when overexposure occurs. For this reason, most dermatologists recommend that a good sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 be used about 30 minutes before any significant exposure to the sun.
- One of the reasons some people’s skin gets particularly dry during the winter is because of inside heat. Central heat and space heaters blow hot, dry air into an area, accelerating the drying process. Fix this with a humidifier, which will balance the air and create a more moist environment in which to spend your time.
- Hands and faces that are extra dry are susceptible to flaking and, worse, cracking. Because your hands and face are often the only parts of your body that are exposed on blustery days, they take the brunt of the cold, drying air. A pair of warm gloves will go a long way in protecting your hands; a good ski mask or other wrap will help to guard against facial drying.
- Don’t rely on water alone to bring moisture to your skin. Most experts agree that drinking water has a negligible effect on moisture within the skin – but water has multiple health benefits, so keep drinking a lot of it.
- It’s not only dryness that can cause skin problems. Excess wetness on the skin shrouded by gloves or clothing can lead to skin-cracking, sores and itching. Skin should always remain as dry as possible and be exposed to moderately humid air.
- Hot baths or showers in the colder months can feel great, but they can also wreak havoc on your skin. Hot water will break down the lipid barriers that are a natural part of the skin, and this can cause the skin to lose moisture. The best bet, if you have any kind of skin issues, is to limit your time in the bath and use water that’s less than hot.
For any skin issues and concerns, contact the Houston-area skin experts, DermSurgery Associates. We’ll help your skin keep looking great all year long.
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DermSurgery Associates is a Greater Houston area dermatology practice offering cosmetic, surgical and non-invasive dermatology treatments with industry-leading physicians trained and experienced with the most current dermatology technologies and procedures. For more information, contact
DermSurgery Associates
7515 Main, Suite 240
Houston, TX 77030
ph. 713.791.9966
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