Winter means battling harsh weather conditions and even harsher skin conditions. This means that you will need to have a seasonal skincare shift:
For most people, winter brings dry, dehydrated skin to the forefront. However, proper exfoliation must be accomplished before serious hydration can occur. Dead skin cells, sebum, product accumulation, and makeup debris block the pores and prevent moisturizing products from actually doing their jobs. Unfortunately, the granular exfoliating scrubs most often found over-the-counter can compound dryness, or worse - cause micro-tearing of the skin, which may lead to a whole bunch of new skin care issues. If you are going to exfoliate at home, we recommend Finishing Touch, by Revision Skincare. This weekly exfoliating facial scrub contains ultra-fine Polynesian Volcanic Black Sand and Freshwater Silt to deeply cleanse, polish and nourish the skin. It also contains Shea Butter – a rich, natural emollient to condition and hydrate.
Professional Microdermabrasion and mild Peels are the best options to address a number of skin concerns. Unlike scrubs and everyday products, microdermabrasion and peels will remove several layers of the epidermis in one session, and will allow for more intense hydration which could never be achieved with a home remedy. The treatment is also affordable, fast and effective, with no downtime afterward. The best time for microdermabrasion or a peel is when you can stay out of the sun for a few days. Although these are non-invasive treatments, they do leave the skin vulnerable to the sun’s strong rays, so cold weather months when we spend more time indoors are a wonderful time to start a series of treatments, as long as you are still using your sunscreen.
During the summer, many people develop dark spots and fine lines from all the time spent in the sun. Microdermabrasion and peels are also recommended to repair these conditions and to naturally boost production of collagen and elastin. Skin naturally repairs itself, but as we grow older we produce far less of the good stuff that keeps us looking young. Regular professional treatments can be a very effective method of staving off the signs of aging by advancing the production of important proteins in the skin.
You still need sunscreen protection in the winter months! It may not be hot outside, but your skin is still being exposed to the sun’s rays. It’s easy to protect your face with an all-in-one daily moisturizer with sunscreen and antioxidants, which takes care of all your daytime hydration and protection needs in one quick and easy step. We recommend Total Defense + Repair by SkinMedica, or Intellishade by Revision Skincare, both of which are available at Warrenton Dermatology.
To protect your entire body, try EltaMD’s UV Lotion – a full-body moisturizer with SPF 30 sun protection. Apply to moist skin just after showering for maximum effectiveness.
Call Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center at 540-341-1900 today to book a treatment, or schedule a complimentary consultation to talk about your winter skincare needs and which of these treatment options might be right for you
