COMBAT WINTER SKIN CHALLENGES
Dry Skin Woes
Is your skin feeling dry and tight -- even itchy or flaky? Any number of things can strip your skin of its protective oils. The result: Everything from chapped lips and itchy skin to cracked heels. Relief is in your grasp
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Winter Sunscreen Required
- Most people think you can't get sunburn in winter but they're mistaken
- Skiers & other winter athletes are at special risk of sunburn because snow reflects sunlight
- Snow bounces 80% of the sun's rays back to us, compared to less than 20% for sand & surf
- Even if you're not hitting the slopes, you still need the protection of a sunscreen with an SPF
of 30 or more - Apply daily & reapply at least every two hours if you're outside
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Frostnip
- Frostnip is a mild form of frostbite that tends to affect the earlobes, cheeks, nose, fingers
& toes - Signs of frostnip include pale skin, numbness, or tingling in the affected area
- Avoid frostnip by dressing warmly, including a hat, ear muffs & gloves
- The best treatment is to re-warm the affected areas
- Even though frostnip is uncomfortable, it doesn't cause any damage to skin
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Frostbite
- Frostbite is more serious & can cause lasting damage
- Deeper tissues freeze, causing skin to become hard, pale & cold
- It may ache but lack sensitivity to touch
- As the area thaws, it becomes red & painful
- Hands, feet, nose & ears are most vulnerable, but any body part can be affected
- Treat frostbite by getting to a warm place, wrapping affected areas in sterile dressings (separate fingers & toes) & going to an emergency department immediately
- Don't rewarm affected areas if there's a chance they could freeze again
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Itchy Winter Skin
- Dry winter skin can be incredibly itchy
- Beat itchy skin
1. Take lukewarm baths with oatmeal or baking soda
2. Reapply your moisturizer frequently
3. Steer clear of wool and other rough fabrics
4. If these techniques don't make a difference, see a dermatologist because you may have
an underlying condition such as eczema or psoriasis that requires different treatment
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Winter Showers
- A shower can add water to your skin as long as you take a short shower
- Long, hot showers can actually draw water from your skin
- Appealing as a hot shower on a cold morning may be, lukewarm water is a better choice
because it won't strip away your skin's natural oils
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Lock in Moisture
- Right after you step out of the shower or tub, pat skin dry & apply moisturizer to retain the
water your skin just absorbed - A glycerin or hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer can increase the amount of water that’s
drawn into your skin - Baby oil (mineral oil) is also a good choice, because it prevents water from evaporating from your skin
- Liberally re-apply moisturizer throughout the day, especially to troublesome dry skin patches
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Chapped Lips
- No one is immune from dry lips in the winter
- Here’s what you should do
1. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated & use a humidifier at home
2. Liberally apply beeswax or petroleum jelly to your lips
3. Put on lip balm or lipstick with sunscreen every time you go outside
4. Avoid being in the sun and wind too much
5. Don't lick your lips, it only makes chapped lips worse
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Cracked Heels
- Painful, cracked heels are a common skin condition, especially in winter
- They are often caused by dry skin
- Having calluses around the rim of the heel can complicate the problem
- In some cases, dry cracked feet can lead to infection or make walking painful
- Keep feet healthy by
1. Marinating cracked heels in petroleum jelly
2. Then cover them with plastic wrap & put on a pair of socks overnight
3. You should see improvement in a few days
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Dry Hands
- Cold winter air my dry your hands
- Washing your hands frequently helps eliminate cold and flu germs, but it also increases
dryness - Unless you wear gloves every time you go out, hands may be more exposed to cold than
other parts of your body - Give dry hands some extra care by using a glycerin-based moisturizer when you wake up, before you go to bed & any time your hands feel dry throughout the day
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Super-Fatted Soap
- The same products that keep your face looking fresh in the spring & summer may cause
skin problems during winter - Choose a gentle, super-fatted, fragrance-free soap, bar or liquid, for cleansing
- Super-fatted means the soap is loaded with oils
- Use a non-astringent toner, or just skip it altogether
- If skin is dry, moisturizers that contain urea, dimethicone, glycerin, lanolin, or mineral oil are
the best choices.
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Winter Moisturizer
- If you usually use a light lotion, try a heavier cream, at least on dry skin patches
- Ointments, like petroleum jelly, have more oil than creams or lotions
1. That makes them more greasy, too, so they may be best for feet & body
2. Minimize the greasy feeling by using a very small amount & gently but thoroughly rubbing
it into skin
3. Apply after a warm shower (see above about winter showers).
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Moisturizer Choices
- Urea, glycerin, hyaluronic acid & propylene glycol are oil-free & absorb water from the air
- Baby or mineral oil, plant oils (like jojoba oil), petroleum jelly, lanolin, stearic acid help replace oils in the skin
- Many moisturizers contain a combination
- You may want to skip some anti-aging moisturizers in winters because those that contain retinoids can further irritate & dry, sensitive skin
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Dead Skin
- To get the most out of your moisturizer, exfoliate
- Clearing away dead skin cells lets a moisturizer better penetrate dry skin
- Exfoliate gently with a moisturizer that contains lactic acid or salicylic acid
- Some exfoliants can be irritating, especially in winter, so try them on a small patch of skin first
- If your skin is really dry or irritated, ask your doctor before starting a new skin care product
or regimen.
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Humidifier
- It's cold outside so you staying inside more often, with the heat on'
- That warm, dry air can mean parched, dry skin
- Use a humidifier to restore moisture to the air
1. You can find inexpensive models at most drug stores
2. Put one in your bedroom & if you can place 2-3 more around your home to stave off
irritated, itchy skin this winter.
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Hair
- Protect your hair this winter by shampooing every other day instead of daily
- Excess shampooing can strip hair of moisture
- Use warm water & a mild shampoo with sunscreen
- Apply extra conditioner to keep your hair hydrated, shiny & soft
- Don't overstyle with the blow dryer or flat iron
- Protect your hair from the elements by wearing a hat
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Eczema
- Eczema is a term for different kinds of skin inflammation
- It is marked by dry, reddened skin that itches or burns
- When skin becomes dry & irritated in winter, eczema can flare up
- Moisturize frequently with an oil-based ointment that contains sunscreen
- Sweating & overheating can also trigger the itch/scratch cycle, so dress in easy-to-peel-off layers
- Ask your dermatologist about prescription treatments
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Psoriasis
- Psoriasis is more than dry skin
- It's caused when the immune system misfires & speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells
- Dry air, lack of sunlight & colder temperatures can make psoriasis worse
- For dry skin
1. Short, lukewarm showers
2. Lots of moisturizer
3. Humidifiers throughout the house
4. Ask your dermatologist about phototherapy, which uses ultraviolet light B (UVB) rays
to slow the growth of skin cells.
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