Tips to Help Your Skin Thrive This Winter

Follow Drugslib on

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Carole Tanzer Miller HealthDay Reporter

SATURDAY, Jan. 20, 2024 — Winter isn't kind to your skin.

Dry, cold weather causes dryness, and you might even develop "winter rash" — dry, irritated skin that's red, bumpy, flaky and burns. That's why it's prime time to step up your skin care routine.

Dr. Oyetewa Oyerinde, assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, shared some tips to keep your skin glowing.

"During the winter, our skin typically dries out because the air tends to be less humid, and we also use the heater indoors, which leads to even more dryness," she said in a Baylor news release. "Dry skin is more likely to develop many types of rashes."

That's why she recommends changing up your usual routine of daily cleansing, moisturing and sun protection.

If you usually use lotion, consider using a thicker cream-like moisturizer. If you usually use cream-like moisturizers, consider switching to an ointment-type moisturizer, Oyerinde suggested.

If you enjoy outdoor activities or snow sports, don't forget your sunscreen.

Following a good skin care regimen will help prevent a winter rash, she said. Your lips and skin around the eyes is especially vulnerable not only to the cold but also to rubbing caused by allergies, colds or flu, she pointed out.

Soothing irritated skin is easy. Just grab a jar of petroleum jelly and slather it on affected areas. Petroleum jelly creates a thick moisture seal that will step wind and cold from doing more damage.

Have dry, cracked lips? Petroleum jelly or lip balms containing hydrocortisone may help.

Oyerinde noted that dry weather can also cause harsher symptoms for people who have eczema, psoriasis or other rashes.

Allergy flare-ups can sometimes lead to hives or other skin rashes. Kids are especially likely to have eczema flare-ups during winter, while older adults may experience skin irritation more often because their skin is dryer to start with.

Oyerinde, director of Baylor's Skin of Color Clinic, noted that people with darker skin tones are more likely to develop dark spots after having rashes. Wearing sunscreen can help prevent it.

There is one plus to winter, she said: If you're considering a skin procedure, this may be a good time to schedule it.

"Laser procedures, such as laser hair removal, are often best done in the winter," Oyerinde said. "For most laser procedures, the skin must be completely free of a tan and people tend to spend less time outside due to the cold weather."

Other procedures, like Botox or fillers, are often performed in winter so the changes will be evident by summertime. That, Oyerinde said, is "when patients really want all their cosmetic treatments to shine."

Sources

  • Baylor College of Medicine, news release, Jan. 17, 2024

    • Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

    Source: HealthDay

    Posted : 2024-01-20 22:15

    Read more

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

    Popular Keywords