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“You’ll be hard-pressed
to find people with moist skin in the winter,” states Manhattan
dermatologist Dr. Lenora Felderman. If left untreated, dry skin
can lead to more serious skin conditions.“The only way to
compensate for dry skin is to lessen the water loss,” says
Doylestown, Pa. dermatologist Dr. Mary Toporcer. “You physically
have to prevent moisture from leaving your skin.”
Drs. Felderman and Toporcer have
these recommendations for managing and preventing winter itch:
* Keep your skin clean and dry.
One of the most common winter skin care mistakes Dr. Toporcer
sees -- not bathing. “Some people think that dry skin comes
from loss of oil, so they don’t wash,” she says. It’s
important to maintain proper hygiene, however, and that includes
sloughing off those dead layers of skin that could otherwise
lead to scales.
* Don’t over-bathe, adds
Dr. Felderman. Replace baths with showers. Use gentle cleansers
-- the milder the better. “Many of my patients think that
they should use a loofa to exfoliate dead skin cells, but that
can be harsh on the skin,” Dr. Felderman says.
* Pat your skin with a towel
after you get out of the tub, rather than vigorously rubbing
it
.* Use tepid, not hot, water
when bathing or showering. |
Beauty Secrets of the World
