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DATE: 01/10/06
Winter Skin Woes
Winter is the season for sniffles, sneezing, sore throats and dry skin. So when you reach for the cold medicine, don't forget about the moisturizer, says Leann Widcamp, licensed aesthetician with the Aesthetic Center of Southwest Louisiana. "Winter is hard on skin," she says. "Dry air and wind can sap moisture from the skin, causing cracking, chapping, and irritation. And even though it's not hot and the sun may not be shining brightly, your skin is still vulnerable to damage from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Many people don't think about this, and they forget about protecting their skin from the sun in cooler weather."
Widcamp says you can take action to minimize winter skin problems. "The first rule of skin protection is to keep it moisturized and hydrated. Drink plenty of water and add a thin layer of moisturizer to slow the dehydration rate of the skin." She offers the following additional tips to help you keep your skin as healthy as possible throughout the winter months:
Eat a healthy, balanced diet - vitamins and minerals have an important part to play in renewing skin cells and keeping skin healthy.
Cover your face as much as possible when going out in cold, windy weather.
Use moisturizer on your face and lip balm on your lips before and after going out in the cold.
Continue to apply sunscreen to your face. UV waves from the winter sun can damage your skin, leading to premature aging.
You may need to cut back on certain skin products, such as alpha-hydroxy acids, as they may aggravate dry, irritated skin.
Avoid long, hot showers which drain skin of its natural oils. Instead, take a short, warm shower and moisturize your body while your skin is still damp.
Humidify indoor air if possible.
Widcamp also recommends facial treatments such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion as a great ways to keep your skin in good condition throughout the winter. Other skin rejuvenation treatments including facials, exfoliations, and specific skin care products that firm and moisturize are also recommended as remedies for seasonal skin problems.
The Aesthetic Center of Southwest Louisiana offers a comprehensive range of skin care treatment and facial cosmetic surgery options under the direction of specialist Dr. Mark Crawford. For more information, call (337) 310-1070 or visit www.facehealth.net.
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