As winter is upon us, you have probably noticed that you skin is getting dryer. This is common and we see changes in our skin throughout the seasons of the year. And, your skin will require different care and treatment depending upon the season of the year. So what should you be doing differently? Glad you asked.
With the cold, you skin needs better protection. And many times this means preserving the natural oils that protect our skin, or adding to them. So, here are some tips for you.
Ease up exfoliants
Many cleansers and other skin care products we use contain chemicals such as the alpha hydroxyl acids (think glycolic acid) which will help with exfoliation or skin cell turn over. These are great for making your skin look fresher, but they also can dry out your skin. So, you may want to tone it down during the winter months. If there is a product like this that you use every day, back off to using it every other day, or once or twice a week.
You may also need to change your facial cleanser, or change other products. Since you skin’s needs are different with the seasons, you may need to change your products with the seasons as well. Consider moving from your glycolic cleanser to a gentler one, or one which also moisturizes or hydrates. Or add a hydrating product to your antioxidant products. And play around with things. If you head to Colorado to ski, know that it may be colder and more arid than you home. So, alter your skin care plan as you need to.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
You really need to moisturize, but then I may already have said this. And, everyone will tell you that it is best to apply our moisturizer while your skin is still a little damp. This applies to your face, your hands, and the rest of your body. In addition to keeping in your body’s own oils, the moisturizer will also help to protect you skin as a barrier to the cold.
The hands actually take a bigger hit with the cold than anywhere else on your body. So, keep a good hand moisturizer around and use if often, especially if you wash your hands a lot during the days. And gloves. When it’s cold outside, be nice your hands and protect them from the wind and cold.
Long hot shower are not good for you
When you’ve been outside and need to warm up, many of use hop in the shower and turn up the heat. We may even stay there until the hot water heater gives out. But, this is not good for us. The hotter the water, the more it removes you skin natural oils and barriers. And, the longer you are in the shower, the more this happens. So, go with warm water not scalding hot. And leave some hot water for everyone else in the house!
Give you skin a treat
While long hot showers are out, a soak in a warm tub can be great especially if you add something to the bath water. If you have a lot of irritation, try an oatmeal bath. Baking soda can also work. And if you are looking for some added moisture, add a couple tablespoons of olive oil. You can even use olive oil and oatmeal together (but I would leave out the balsamic vinegar…just saying).
Continue to protect
You still need your sunscreen! Even though the days are shorter and we are all looking for sun to cure our affective seasonal disorder, those beneficial rays can still burn. So continue to use your sunscreen. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use a skin care product, or makeup with sunscreen in it. And, if you heading up to the mountains to ski, or down to the Caribbean to escape the cold, get some high test sun screen, and reapply it often.
It doesn’t take too much to take care of your skin during the winter, but a little goes a long way. Just remember that your body’s natural oils are your friend, and what you do for your skin in the summer is not what your skin will need in the winter.
At Dr. Mark Bishara’s office we help educate our patients about proper skin care. We have many laser procedures that help revitalize and rejuvenate your skin. We also have an extensive line of SkinCeuticals products and our aestheticians can help tell you which products will prevent, protect and correct any skins damage. Please call our office for more information at (817) 473-2120 or visit our website at www.MarkBisharaMD.com.
Skin experts say that the best way to keep your skin healthy and looking young is to protect it from the sun and not smoke: and after that, taking care with how you wash, moisturize your skin and shave also help.
According to a British Association of Dermatologists survey carried out last year, many Britons are unaware that sun protection can keep the skin looking younger, believing instead that applying a daily moisturizer, eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water and having facial massages will suffice.Not only does exposure to UV increase a person’s risk of skin cancer, it also affects the elastin in the skin, which leads to wrinkles and sun-induced skin ageing such as leatheriness and blotchy pigmentation. Featured below are 5 tips for healthy skin:
Tip #1 for healthy skin: Sun protection
Ensure you protect your skin from the sun to maintain healthy skin
Most of the changes seen in ageing skin are actually “caused by a lifetime of sun exposure”.
To protect yourself from the sun, they advise the following three methods (with maximum protection coming from using all three).
- Avoid the sun during high intensity hours: the sun’s rays do the most damage between 10 am and 4 pm, so limit the time you spend outside during this period.
- Wear protective clothing: wear long sleeved shirts, long trousers or pants and a hat with a wide brim. Remember that tight woven fabric (eg denim) offers better protection than loosely woven fabrics like knits.
- Use sunscreen: go for a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) higher than 15 and apply generously about 20 minutes before you go out and then every two hours. You will need to apply more frequently if you go in the water or sweat a lot.
Tip #2 for healthy skin: Don’t smoke (and watch the alcohol)
Research shows that smoking alone ages skin. In a study published in the Archives of Dermatology, researchers described how they examined the upper inner arms of smokers and non-smokers aged from 22 to 91 and found that after taking into account age and other variables, the number of packs of cigarettes that the smokers smoked per day was significantly linked to skin ageing. They looked at the skin on the upper inner arms to minimize the influence of sun exposure.
Smoking reduces the skin’s natural elasticity by promoting the breakdown of collagen and also reducing the amount that is produced.
Collagen, a protein that helps skin strength, gradually degrades with age, leading to wrinkles. Smoking causes this to happen sooner and also causes the tiny blood vessels in the skin to tighten, which reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that the skin cells receive, which also reduces elasticity and accelerates ageing.
The Mayo Clinic also suggest that exposure to heat from burning cigarettes damages facial skin and that certain smoking behaviours contribute to wrinkles, because of the repetitive facial expressions that smokers make, such as pursing the lips on inhaling and squinting their eyes to keep the smoke out.
Drinking alcohol can make your body and skin dehydrated, leaving the skin looking old and tired. So if you are drinking alcohol drink plenty of water and stick to sensible amounts. Have a non-alcoholic drink like soda water or watery fruit juice in between the alcoholic ones to help your body rehydrate.
Tip #3 for healthy skin: Clean your skin regularly and apply moisturizer
A British Skin Foundation survey published in January 2008 found that an astonishing 50 per cent of people who wear make up in the UK are damaging their skin by not removing make up before they go to bed.
The reasons for not cleansing the skin of make up before going to bed were also revealing in that most people were too tired to take it off, suggesting they were not getting good quality sleep which also affects skin health. A significant proportion also said they had had too much to drink or simply couldn’t be bothered.
Cleansing is an important part of skin care because it removes dirt and bacteria; and the key is to do it gently.
Use warm rather than hot water and limit the time you spend in the bath or shower to 15 minutes or less as too much time in hot water strips oils from your skin.
Moisturizing protects the skin from drying and acts as a protective layer for the skin
Also, use mild rather than strong soaps and avoid irritating additives such as perfumes and dyes, especially if you have sensitive skin.
When removing make up take care with the delicate skin around the eyes, and if you use waterproof make up you may need an oil-based product to make sure you get it all off.
When you have finished try to pat your skin dry so some moisture stays on it.
Moisturizing is important because it protects the skin from the weather and from drying up and looking dull. It helps your skin maintain its natural moisture levels too, say the Mayo Clinic experts, because it seals in the water already in the skin or slowly release water into the skin.
If you have dry skin avoid alcohol-based products and if you have oily skin avoid oil-based products (use water-based instead).
Some people with oily skin don’t need moisturizer: if your skin feels tight 20 minutes after bathing, then you probably do.
Tip #4 for healthy skin: Get enough quality sleep
Focus on quality sleep to keep your skin looking young and healthy
Sleep is essential for healthy skin. Not enough quality sleep will make your skin look tired and older, especially with bags under your eyes. Poor quality sleep can become a vicious cycle because lack of sleep makes you irritable, anxious and depressed, and that makes it harder to get good sleep.
Make sure you have plenty of physical exercise as this reduces stress and creates a healthy tiredness that helps sleep. Yoga and swimming are also good ways to improve sleep.
Aerobic exercise increases the oxygen circulating in your body which helps the skin stay vibrant and healthy.
Tip #5 for healthy skin: Shave with care
People shave to make their skin smooth and hairless, but this can irritate the skin, especially if it is thin, dry and sensitive.
For a smooth shave the Mayo Clinic experts advise that you shave after a warm bath or shower (or press a warm wet cloth on your skin) to soften the hair, don’t shave dry skin, use a clean, sharp razor, and shave in the direction of hair growth.
Make sure you rinse well afterwards with warm water to remove soap and dead cells.
If your skin is irritated after shaving don’t use an alcohol based lotion even if it feels cool, it will make the irritation worse because it dries the skin out.
Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Plastis Surgery & Med Spa in Mansfield and Southlake, TX offers minimally invasive procedures, and skin care treatments to help keep your skin looking great. These treatments are designed to provide subtle enhancements that can improve your targeted problem areas, while allowing you to return to work and your regular activities the very same day. Dr. Bishara is also proud to offer a wide range of enhancing, minimally invasive procedures such as Botox, Xeomin, Juvederm Ultra Plus XC and Radiesse. Juvederm Voluma XC will be available soon. We will keep you updated or call our office for more information at (817) 473-2120.
Overview of Skinceuticals CE Ferulic
Research and innovation are at the core of the SkinCeuticals company mission, and their dedication to science has established the brand as a leader in the advanced skincare arena. At the office of Dr. Mark Bishara and The Paragon Med Spa- we offer an extensive line of the Skinceuticals skincare line. Here is one that just made a top 10 list for great skin care.
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic is a revolutionary antioxidant combination that delivers advanced protection against photoaging by neutralizing free radicals, boosting collagen synthesis, and providing unmatched antioxidant protection. More protection means more youthful looking skin and better defense against environmental aging.
How it works:
C E Ferulic contains ferulic acid, a new antioxidant that doubles the synergistic benefits of C E – neutralizing free radicals,building collagen, and providing improved antioxidant protection. No other antioxidant technology has been shown to deliver comparable levels of photoprotection.
-Provides advanced environmental protection against UVA, UVB and infrared radiation A.
-Stimulates collagen synthesis to improve signs of aging.
-Increases firmness and replenishes lipids to reduce wrinkles.
-Once absorbed, this serum can’t be washed or rubbed off. It remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours, making it an excellent addition to sunscreen.
Spotlight Ingredients:
L-ascorbic acid: Neutralizes free radicals and promotes collagen synthesis.
Alpha tocopherol (vitamin E): Potent antioxidant which promotes the healing process.
Ferulic acid: This plant-based antioxidant neutralizes free radicals, inhibits UV-induced melanogenesis, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Pros:
- Highly effective anti-wrinkle serum
- Concentrated formula provides quick results
Other Notes:
A huge benefit from using CE Ferulic is its photoprotection benefits. Photoprotection is a measure of a product’s ability to neutralize free radicals and protect against oxidative stress. SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic reduces sunburn cell formation up to 96% in UV irradiated skin. Though the smell of the serum is a bit off-setting, the effectiveness of CE Ferulic is apparent after the first time I used it. Its skin firming abilities are incredible, earning it a #3 spot on the top 10 list.
Please call our office at (817) 473-2120 or visit our website to learn more about us as www.markbisharamd.com.
Today I want to talk about the benefits antioxidants can have on your skin. Antioxidants are chemicals designed to protect your body’s cells by neutralizing internal and external forces that produce free radicals. Free radicals are what causes our skin to age and cause skin damage. When free radicals attack healthy skin cells, they cause the cell to decay. While it is hard to avoid free radicals all together, there are things we can do to protect ourselves by making some changes to our lifestyle.
Some lifestyle changes you can make to avoid free radicals are things like avoiding sun exposure, cigarette smoke, more than moderate drinking, getting adequate rest, and having a diet high in antioxidants. When choosing a diet rich in antioxidants you are not only helping your skin, but you are doing a service to your body. Foods that are high in antioxidants are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and omega 3 fatty acids.
Measures you can take to protect your skin include using topical antioxidants. Some ingredients to look for in your creams and lotions are vitamins A, C (ascorbic acid), E, green tea, idebenone, coffee berry, and coenzyme Q10. Using these lotions regularly is highly recommended to protect your skin from free radical damage.
Serums are another great way to get antioxidants deep into the skin. For example, Obagi™ makes an amazing Professional-C Serum™. Professional-C Serum 20% is proven to deliver better absorption and stability than the leading 20% vitamin C serum to give you a maximum antioxidant protection. Along with these lotions and serums, SPF of 30 is extremely important in protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. If you want to go a step farther, getting facials, peels and microdermabrasions will help to shed the dead skin cells so that antioxidant rich products will be able to penetrate the skin further protect new skin cells.
Topical antioxidants can provide some protection from the environment and may be effective in slowing down the aging process. Maintaining your skin’s youthfulness requires integration into your everyday routine. Your skin is the first thing people see when they look at you so protect it and give it the nourishment that it needs.
Dr. Bishara and The Paragon Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Mansfield and Southlake, TX
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Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Mark A. Bishara, M.D., serving Fort Worth, Arlington, and the surrounding area.
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