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Beauty Tip of the Month - November 2006

Get Your Winter Glow

As winter approaches, skin care takes on new importance as the cold, dry air may cause some undesirable changes in your skin. While the focus always remains on proper sun protection, even in the winter months, taking some extra steps to make sure that your skin is properly prepared can pay numerous dividends throughout the upcoming season. Here are some tips for you to get and maintain your winter glow:

1. Proper sun protection
Even though the air feels cold and you may not be outside as much, the sun is still just as dangerous to your skin as it is in the summer months. UVA and UVB rays are still very much present and will contribute to aging and skin cancer progression. Proper sun protection involves using a sunscreen SPF 15 or higher in the morning, and reapplied at lunch time. There are numerous moisturizing sunscreens on the market, some notable ones being Neutrogena Ultrasheer, Cetaphil Facial Moisturizer with SPF, and Olay Daily Defense, amongst others. These sunscreens have the added benefit of being moisturizing while providing the necessary sun protection.

2. Glycolic Acid products
Glycolic Acid products can promote a healthy glow by peeling off the top layer of the skin and leaving a shiny, glowing, and youthful appearance. This may be done with simple use of glycolic acid toners used twice daily, or by weekly glycolic acid peels done at your dermatologist's office. It is essential to use a moisturizer before and after glycolic acid peels in order to minimize dryness and discomfort. Also, use of a moisturizer after glycolic acid toners is also recommended.

3. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion uses crystals to abrade the very top layer of the skin surface leaving a clean, glowing, and youthful appearance. This process may be done weekly to maintain the youthful glow, but during the winter months it is essential to use moisturizers before and after doing microdermabrasion in order to prevent drying and cracking. Be careful with use of glycolic acid products immediately after microdermabrasion because of possible stinging, burning, drying, or cracking. For the first 1-2 days after microdermabrasion, use of a gentle cleanser (Cetaphil, Neutrogena) is recommended. Then, resumption of glycolic acid product use may begin. While microdermabrasion has been normally considered an office procedure, numerous over-the-counter home microdermabrasion systems now exist.

4. Moisturizing

The dry, cold winter air can make skin appear dry, lusterless, flaky, or cracking. As seen in many of the above recommendations already, moisturizing is absolutely essential thoughout the winter months. Moisturizers do not have to be expensive in order to work well. In fact, some would argue that the best moisturizer is simple, plain Vaseline or petroleum jelly. However, for most of us, using petroleum jelly is too much of a greasy option. Key things to look for in evaluating a potential moisturizer are the thickness, consistency, non-comedogenic properties, and inclusion of sunscreen. Just make sure that the moisturizer you choose is one that you are willing to use several times a day, and one that will not cause you to break out or damage your clothes.

Using these simple 4 tips will help your skin achieve the winter glow throughout the upcoming season. For further tips on regular skin maintenance or details on sunscreens and other products, please visit the DermBlue Learning Center.

Don Mehrabi MD, FAAD
Dermatologist, Certified by the American Board of Dermatology
Los Angeles, California

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