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March 2007 – Caring for Skin in Winter
Caring for Skin in the WinterDuring the cold winter months, your skin is assaulted from all fronts — the cold, biting winds, dry indoor heat and, yes, even the sun. And men experience skin problems in the winter as much as women do.
“The skin on your face, lips and hands takes a beating in the winter,” said Robert Whitfield, MD, plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin.
“Brisk winds outside and heating systems inside remove moisture from the skin, causing it to become dry, flaky and itchy. And people with existing skin problems, such as eczema or psoriasis, may notice that the condition of their skin worsens in the winter,” Dr. Whitfield said.
The sun also damages the skin in the winter — just as much as in the summer. “If a piece of furniture is exposed to the sun in the winter, it will fade,” Dr. Whitfield said. “Similarly, the sun will damage your skin if you sit at a window all day (such as at work) or when you’re outside for awhile.”
The sun produces both visible and invisible rays known as ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). The UV rays cause the most problems. In winter, UV rays reach the skin not only by direct sunlight but also by reflecting off fresh snow on the ground.
To combat the effects of the cold, wind, heat and sun on your skin, Dr. Whitfield recommends:
- Drinking fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated
- Using a humidifier if your home is too dry
- Using a moisturizer on your face and hands and keeping moisturizing lotion at home and at the office to reapply as needed
- Applying an allover body moisturizer after showering to prevent itching
- Wearing sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 on your face and hands (some sunscreen products also contain moisturizing lotion); a broad-spectrum sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays
- Avoiding tanning booths in the winter; if you desire a tan, use tanning creams instead
- Avoiding sun exposure
- Using lip balm with SPF 15 or higher
“If skin is still dry after using sunscreen and moisturizer, the next step may be to remove the top (dead) layer of the skin,” Dr. Whitfield said. Masks and peels containing alpha hydroxy acid are designed to “turn over” the top layer of skin cells. A treatment called microdermabrasion, performed by a medical professional at Cascadia MediSpa, can also help rejuvenate facial skin. This procedure uses a device to spray tiny crystals across the face, mixing gentle abrasion with suction to remove the dead outer layer of skin. Another treatment, a microlaser peel using the Sciton Erbium Laser, can refresh skin damaged by the winter with great precision.
Dr. Whitfield stressed that skin care — especially protecting skin from the sun — should be a year-round regimen, not just during the winter. All men and women should use sunscreen and moisturizers throughout the year.
Skin Care ResourcesCascadia MediSpa, a service of the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Plastic Surgery Center, offers a full range of skin care services, including a complimentary skin care analysis to develop an individualized skin care plan. Cascadia offers a selection of products to cleanse, clarify, protect, renew and rejuvenate the skin, and services such as microdermabrasion, facials and chemical peels, laser hair reduction and waxing.
In addition, Small Stones, a health resource center of Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, offers many resources related to skin care:
New Products for Winter Skin Care
Badger Unscented Healing Balm for cracked, chapped and dry skin
Badger Scented Body Butter
Badger 100% Natural Lip Care
Trillium Organic Body and Face Polish (scented and unscented)
Trillium Organic Body Butter, Body Oil and Shea Butter (scented and unscented)
Books
Pure Skin Organic Basics by Barbara Close
Natural Beauty Recipe Book by Gill Farrer-Halls
It's Not Just About Wrinkles by Neal B. Schultz, MD
Author: Marla Fraunfelder Date: March 1, 2007 | Medical Reviewer: | Robert Whitfield, MD | | Medical College of Wisconsin plastic surgeon |
Online Editor(s): Christopher Sadler
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