Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology White Winter Has Come We did not have a dreamy White Christmas. White snowy New Year Day brought us several inches of whiteness instead. That was followed by really low temperatures for a couple of days, which created a perfect storm of dryness for our skin. If you add home heating at higher levels than normal, our skin just started screaming for help. What can we do to protect our skin in weather conditions bringing frosty dryness from outside and combining it with hot flow of air inside? First, you have to remember to prepare yourself for this kind of weather earlier and have a plan to be put in place immediately. Remember- early intervention works the best. As usual, you need to hydrate and moisturize. But in cold weather, you need to use stronger and more effective products and processes. Your skin can dehydrate very quickly in any weather if you do not provide it with water. Hydration means replenishing water. your face, especially on your neck. You can You can do it from internal take of drinking restore proper look of your hands with some water and using products like cleansers and serums to replenish water needs. Dehydrated that sometimes you do not wear gloves or skin is prone to develop blemishes, wrinkles, mittens and use your hands to work outside. and irritation. Dehydration of skin is often associated with general dehydration. Just 2% of lowering of water level in your body can when we get most of the sun exposure and the have systemic consequences. Thus, drinking very intense one, during longer days. But we water for the body and replenishing water in do get some really sunny days in the winter your skin are crucial. Moisturizing means replenishing oil. Our skin produces natural oils that are necessary protection as well. More than likely, you will to keep it plump and elastic. Too much oil is not a pleasant problem and no oil means aging sooner. Maintaining oil in your skin is delivered through creams and lotions. They about applying it. also create a barrier for evaporation of water from your skin. They make it look younger should be a habit of 365 days a year. It should and brighter. When we discuss hydration and moisturizing dermatologist to verify that what you maintain of skin, we usually mean face. That is true as works well for you and there are no surprising most of the products sold as hydrating and moles or lesions. Skin cancer and other skin moisturizing products are meant to be used disorders do not take a vacation in the winter. on your face. But skin gets exposed to drying They also seem to be growing in numbers elements of winter on every part of the body every year, despite awareness. Please, do not that is exposed to the cold outside or heat neglect any changes on your skin and consult inside. Thus, protecting skin of your neck and professionals for your safety. hands is equally important and needs to be regular. You can use the same products as for more intense therapy, considering the fact And finally, the sunscreen problem. Everyone associates sunscreen with summertime. This is too. Staying outside, playing sports, all done in the sunny winter weather requires sunscreen not need to use it several times during the day, as days are still short and sunlight is limited, but you should have it handy and remember Skin care is a protective process that be supplemented by a regular visit to your Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology White Winter Has Come We did not have a dreamy White Christmas. White snowy New Year Day brought us several inches of whiteness instead. That was followed by really low temperatures for a couple of days, which created a perfect storm of dryness for our skin. If you add home heating at higher levels than normal, our skin just started screaming for help. What can we do to protect our skin in weather conditions bringing frosty dryness from outside and combining it with hot flow of air inside? First, you have to remember to prepare yourself for this kind of weather earlier and have a plan to be put in place immediately. Remember- early intervention works the best. As usual, you need to hydrate and moisturize. But in cold weather, you need to use stronger and more effective products and processes. Your skin can dehydrate very quickly in any weather if you do not provide it with water. Hydration means replenishing water. your face, especially on your neck. You can You can do it from internal take of drinking restore proper look of your hands with some water and using products like cleansers and serums to replenish water needs. Dehydrated that sometimes you do not wear gloves or skin is prone to develop blemishes, wrinkles, mittens and use your hands to work outside. and irritation. Dehydration of skin is often associated with general dehydration. Just 2% of lowering of water level in your body can when we get most of the sun exposure and the have systemic consequences. Thus, drinking very intense one, during longer days. But we water for the body and replenishing water in do get some really sunny days in the winter your skin are crucial. Moisturizing means replenishing oil. Our skin produces natural oils that are necessary protection as well. More than likely, you will to keep it plump and elastic. Too much oil is not a pleasant problem and no oil means aging sooner. Maintaining oil in your skin is delivered through creams and lotions. They about applying it. also create a barrier for evaporation of water from your skin. They make it look younger should be a habit of 365 days a year. It should and brighter. When we discuss hydration and moisturizing dermatologist to verify that what you maintain of skin, we usually mean face. That is true as works well for you and there are no surprising most of the products sold as hydrating and moles or lesions. Skin cancer and other skin moisturizing products are meant to be used disorders do not take a vacation in the winter. on your face. But skin gets exposed to drying They also seem to be growing in numbers elements of winter on every part of the body every year, despite awareness. Please, do not that is exposed to the cold outside or heat neglect any changes on your skin and consult inside. Thus, protecting skin of your neck and professionals for your safety. hands is equally important and needs to be regular. You can use the same products as for more intense therapy, considering the fact And finally, the sunscreen problem. Everyone associates sunscreen with summertime. This is too. Staying outside, playing sports, all done in the sunny winter weather requires sunscreen not need to use it several times during the day, as days are still short and sunlight is limited, but you should have it handy and remember Skin care is a protective process that be supplemented by a regular visit to your Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net