Dermatology

Winter Time Tips For

HEALTHY SKIN

As we begin to approach the colder fall and winter months, I feel that this is a good time to share with our neighbors my thoughts on cold weather and how it can affect your skin.

In our area of the country, warmer temperatures and high humidity are the norm, and our skin becomes used to this warm, moist environment. When the weather turns cooler, however, there is significantly less humidity, meaning less moisture in the air. Our skin often finds it difficult to adjust to this dramatic change, causing it to become dry in these colder months.

Under normal conditions, the skin maintains proper hydration and suppleness from the oil glands contained within our pores. Even in those with normally oily skin, cold and dry winter weather essentially overwhelms the oil glands such that our skin has trouble remaining moist and supple and begins to harden and make cracks. This not only causes discomfort but also opens the skin up to allergens and microorganisms which can cause rashes and infections. Not to mention that dry skin can be quite itchy!

Well, what to do then? The answer is simple……moisturize!! While this seems to be a pretty obvious solution, how and what to do can sometimes be confusing, especially with so much information out there and so many choices. I like to keep it simple. First, understand that the face is a “special” place and needs a moisturizer designed specifically for this area. Choosing a moisturizer (or other product) not designed especially for faces can lead to blocked pores and acne, so choose wisely for this area. I generally recommend a well-known brand name (Olay, Neutrogena, Cetaphil, et al) and particularly something that says “for faces,” “oil free,” or “noncomedogenic.” For the rest of the body, it is much less complicated and in general, ANY moisturizer will help – but only if you use it, and use it often enough. Some of my favorite body moisturizers are Cetaphil, CeraVe, Eucerin, Aquaphor (especially hands and lips), and Neutrogena.

It is helpful to understand that moisturizers come in different forms, each with varying potential to help hydrate your skin. The most common forms are: ointments, creams, lotions, gels, and solutions. Overall, each is essentially a mixture of oil and water, with the thickest being mostly oil and little water (= ointment – think vaseline), medium thickness with less oil (=creams – think Noxema), and the thinnest being more water and less oil

(lotions, solutions, gels, et al). Generally speaking, the thicker moisturizers (ointments and creams) help hydrate skin best, with the others working less well the thinner they are. That said, some people can tolerate thick moisturizers, while many cannot. My recommendation is this: use whatever feels best for you. If your skin is dry, anything you do to moisturize will help!

In addition to dryness, there are other changes the skin may experience in winter, particularly in regards to several common and chronic skin conditions. For example, dandruff (or seborrheic dermatitis as we call it) tends to worsen in winter, as does psoriasis. This is not only due to the dryness, but also to the decreased amount of ultraviolet radiation available to our skin during these months. Eczema and atopic dermatitis are variable in their response to the colder months, as is rosacea and acne. The response depends on the individual, with some improving and others worsening. On the other hand, conditions such as lupus and polymorphous light eruption (those conditions that worsen with ultraviolet radiation exposure) generally improve in the winter months.

Hopefully, you have found this article helpful. I’m wishing you a safe, healthy, and skin-healthy winter! If you want to discuss this topic further, or if you have any other skin issues you would like to address, please contact my wonderful staff at Lakeview Dermatology (817-752-5256), and they will be happy to help you set up an appointment. Visit our website, Lakeviewdermtx.com, to review the strict safety protocols we have instituted to keep both our patients and staff safe during this Covid-19 crisis.

Dr Matthew Mittelbronn, MD MPH Dermatologist, Lakeview Dermatology 3918 Telephone Rd, Suite 100 Lake Worth, TX 76135 817-752-5256