During the winter months, when the temperatures plummet and the wind whips, your skin works overtime to protect you — but are you protecting your skin? As your body’s largest organ, your skin carries a lot of responsibility to keep your insides safe, so it’s a good idea to do your best to keep it safe as well. That’s especially important when the outside elements are doing their best to break down the barrier.
Dr. Samuel Figueroa at Dutch Hollow Medical Day Spa in Godfrey, IL specializes in caring for your skin throughout the year. As the Midwest winter weather kicks into high gear, he wants you to know there are several forces at work that could harm your skin: wind, icy temperatures, dry indoor environments, and even sun. Here are a few of his tips to stave off winter skin woes.
When it’s cold outside, you run the furnace inside. So does your boss at work and the store owners where you shop. That makes it cozy and warm, but it also makes it very dry, which is your skin’s enemy. You can still keep your home warm (try not exceed 72 degrees) and your skin healthy if you run a humidifier to offset the dryness. Not only will it help your skin, it will help keep your nasal passages and respiratory system healthy.
Cold weather may make you linger in the shower or soak longer in the tub, but that may be the worst thing you can do for your skin. Hot water can strip your skin of its natural, protective oils. And how’s this for a twist of irony: a short shower (5–10 minutes) moisturizes your skin, but a longer shower does the opposite and begins to dehydrate your skin.
Even when in the dead of winter, the sun’s rays are powerful. If there’s snow on the ground, it’s even doubly dangerous, because those rays reflect off the surface and back to your face. Dress warmly to protect your skin, and where it’s exposed, lather up with sunscreen.
To give your face a helping hand, it’s important to add moisture regularly. And there’s no shortage of products lining the drug store shelves claiming to do just that. But not all creams and lotions can deliver on their promises.
Dr. Figueroa offers clinically proven products formulated to address your unique skin care needs. When it comes to protecting your face against the winter weather, he recommends:
If your skin is already damaged from the weather, sun, or aging, Dr. Figueroa can help you repair and rejuvenate your skin with:
This line of medical-grade products can soothe and repair your skin better and faster than over-the-counter remedies.
Do your face a favor this winter and schedule regular facials. There’s no better way to make sure your skin is properly exfoliated, cleansed, and moisturized than allowing a professional like Dr. Figueroa to perform a comprehensive facial. Depending on your skin’s type and needs, we have several options:
No matter which one you choose, you’ll be delighted with the look and feel of your skin. And it’s more than cosmetic — regular facials keep your skin healthy so it can do its job of protecting you from the elements.
If your face could use a hand this winter, give us a call at 618-227-7168 or request an appointment online, and let us help you face the weather without worry.
