WHEN THE
temperatures start dropping each winter, you pull out coats and
scarves to protect yourself from the cold weather. But what’s protecting your
skin from the changes in temperature?
Colder weather can cause the humidity outdoors to drop, but dry, indoor heat
produced in homes and offices lowers the humidity inside, too. Lower humidity
means your skin will dry out faster. That’s why winter is a crucial time to take
extra precaution and care with skin.
Protect your skin
Porcia Bradford Love, MD, offers several tips for protecting
skin during the winter months.
“Individuals should avoid long, hot baths, which can strip
away natural oils and dry the skin,” Dr. Love said. “Instead, take
lukewarm showers and consider using a moisturizing body
wash. Applying moisturizers to the skin within three minutes
of stepping out of the shower can help trap water in the upper
layers of the skin and decrease dryness and itching.”
While moisturizing is important, make sure to look for lotions
and creams that contain petrolatum, mineral oil, linoleic acid, ceramides, dimeth-
icone or glycerin. Applying hand creams after each handwashing can prevent
drying, and if additional relief is needed, Vaseline can be applied before bed.
“One of the most important things to remember during the winter months is
to continue wearing sunscreen,” Dr. Love said. “It is important to always wear a
broad-spectrum sunscreen (one that protects against UVA and UVB rays) with a
sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, especially on exposed body parts such
as the face, hands and tops of the ears. Also, apply a lip balm with an SPF of 15 to
help prevent chapped lips.”
The relative humidity inside can also affect the skin, Dr. Love said. This is
especially likely if the humidity levels drop below 60 percent.
“At this point, the skin begins to lose moisture,” she said. “Adding a humidifier
to a bedroom or living room can counteract the dry heat in many homes.”
More tips
The American Academy of Dermatology offers these additional tips:
• Limit baths or showers to 10 minutes.
• Avoid antibacterial, perfumed or deodorant soaps.
• Shave after bathing, while your skin is still soft and moist.
Remember to place a greater emphasis on moisturizing during the winter
months. Visit your dermatologist, who can devise a personal skin care regimen
that will help combat many of the challenges associated with winter skin. To
make an appointment with Dr. Love, call
334-834-3094
.
SMOOTH I NG
DRY SKIN
and soothing
Porcia Bradford
Love, MD
13
