The Skin Center Medical Spa Pittsburgh, PA /Columbus, OH
We winterize our homes, our cars and our wardrobes. What about our skin?
With temperatures dropping outside and humidity levels falling inside, your previously dewy skin can become dry, flaky, cracked and increasingly sensitive with each passing day. Now is the time to start switching up your skin treatment routines with appropriate skin care products and skin treatments for the blustery winter months.
Tip 1: Hydrate It. According to experts, two-thirds of Americans are (unknowingly) chronically dehydrated. Beyond caffeine, nothing zaps moisture from your skin faster than the dry air of forced heating systems. So, use a humidifier at night to add moisture back into your home. And as always, drink plenty of water. Trade in your second latte for a decaffeinated herbal tea and you’ll feel more energetic naturally—without the caffeine.
Tip 2: Switch It. Don’t be afraid to switch up your skin treatment routine. Simply changing your moisturizer from a lighter lotion in the summer to a more emollient cream in the winter can help keep your skin from becoming dry and flaky. Consider fragrance-free products which tend to be less drying and irritating.
Tip 3: Type It. While your summer skin type might be considered “normal”, Old Man Winter can cause your skin to lean toward the dry or sensitive side. Even if you think you know your skin type, test it or schedule complimentary skin treatment consultation at The Skin Center to find out if you are using the right products for your winter skin.
Tip 4: Shorten It. Trade in the long, hot shower for a speedy one. The heat from long baths and showers strips your skin of moisture. Bathe once a day and use soap only on body parts that generate odor.
Tip 5: Moisturize It. The most important step in the fight against winter skin is moisturizing, moisturizing, moisturizing. The best time to apply a moisturizer is right after you shower, before you dry off. The moisturizer creates a barrier, sealing the water to your skin, which keeps you moist and hydrated all day long.
Tip 6: Exfoliate It. Using an exfoliating soap or glycolic wash on your face will also help encourage cell renewal, revealing smoother, brighter skin. Glycolic acid exfoliates dead skin cells and helps to increase cell turnover, which keeps your skin looking younger longer. For a deep exfoliating skin treatment to brighten and tone even the dullest wintertime complexions, try a series of PCA Facial Chemical Peels or a Dermasweep skin treatment to help restore your skin’s natural radiance.
Tip 7: Nourish It. Apply an antioxidant serum before you moisturize your face. Look for one that contains both vitamins C and E. This powerful antioxidant combination helps to neutralize free radical damage, protects against oxidative stress which leads to premature aging and offers enhanced protection against UVA and UVB damage.
Tip 8 Regenerate It. Sleep your way to beautiful skin with a collagen-stimulating Retin-A skin treatment. If you are not already using Retin-A or a retinol product . . . start . . . start now. Retin-A should be the cornerstone of any good skin treatment routine to soften wrinkles, improve collagen production and help lighten dark spots or freckles caused by too much sun exposure. However, if you find the prescription grade Retin-A is too drying or causing excessive flaking during the winter months then use it every other night or switch to a retinol complex which can be less irritating.
Tip 9: Treat It. Laser skin treatments like Fraxel ® Laser Skin Resurfacing, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Broadband Light (BBL) can actually reverse more extensive sun damage and improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, skin tone and texture. Winter months are perfect for these treatments because they are typically done in a series of sessions and we often recommend limiting the amount of time you spend outdoors, allowing your skin to fully repair itself.
Tip 10: Protect It. UVA and UVB rays damage the skin no matter what the temperature outside. So before you bundle up and head outdoors, apply ample sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to your face, hands, neck or any exposed skin.
Start your own customized Winter Skin Treatment Program with a Complimentary Skin Consultation. Call 1-800-428-1151 or schedule your appointment online now!
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Deb is a writer with a 25-year background in marketing communications. After leaving the banking industry to raise a family, Deb sought a part-time career in the beauty and skin care industry. She has been a copywriter and blogger for The Skin Center Medical Spa since 2011.
