How to Winterize Your Skin

It’s been a rough winter in the bay area.  With all the rain in the Bay Area and the record snowfall in Tahoe many of us might be feeling like Noah ready to board a ship and sail away.  The bright side is that we finally have some relief from the ever-present drought and will likely have one of our best ski seasons ever.  Most people think about taking are of their skin during the sunny days of summer.  It is important to care for your skin year-round. Here are a few tips to help you care for your skin this winter. 

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Just like the single best thing you can do for your general health is to quit or never start smoking, the single best thing you can do for your skin is to protect it from ultraviolet radiation.  Most people don’t think of sun protection in the winter but it would be helpful if you did.   If you are a skier or boarder your sun exposure occurs at a higher altitude where there is less atmospheric filtering of the sun’s harmful rays.  Secondly, the snow serves as a giant reflector so you get both direct sun and reflected sun.  The smart thing to do is apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater prior to hitting the slopes.  If you need help picking out sunscreen we are happy to help.

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Nothing beats a warm weather vacation during the cold winter months.  Go and enjoy but again use your sunscreen along with common sense such as avoiding the sun’s peak hours and wearing protective clothing.  Forget about going to a tanning salon prior to your vacation to get a “protective” tan.  Skin Cancer, Photo-aging, and wrinkles are all caused by the cumulative sun and ultraviolet exposure we get.  If you are a minor it is now illegal to go to a tanning salon.  For those who want the appearance of a tan then by all means feel free to get a spray on or rub on tan.

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One of the more common problems we see during winter months is dry itchy skin.  The dry air this time of year contributes to itchy skin.  You might think that water exposure would moisturize your skin but the opposite is true.  The more time you spend in water and the hotter the water the more dry and itchy you will get.  For those with dry itchy skin I recommend using a mild cleanser or soap, taking quick showers, and patting one’s skin dry.  After patting one’s skin dry is the best time to apply a moisturizer.   Try to limit your showers to one a day and avoid soaking in baths or hot tubs as this can make things worse.  This time of year I usually see many patients with dry itchy skin caused by the combination of cold dry temperatures and nightly soaks in the hot tub.   If you have problems with dry, itchy, or sensitive skin feel free to call us today at 925-838-4900 to schedule an appointment as we are here to help.

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