Winter is Coming! Learn to Care for your Skin in the Cold Season

The winter season is lingering on the horizon! Given the dense and stifling heat of autumn, we eagerly look forward to the cooling months of winter. While the season of cold brings with itself a promise of fun and frolic, we often forget the effect it has on our skin. Cold temperatures, low humidity, and the dry air of winter all negatively affect our skin’s health. We feel it grow dry, since all the moisture in the skin is drawn away. Caring for our skin in the winter months is thus important and crucial. Often, we overlook a lot of factors and have to face the consequences. Learn about the various issues dry skin, or Xerosis, can bring, and how you can learn to care for your skin’s health in the cold months of winter.

What is Dry Skin?

As we very well know, our skin is made up of layers. The purpose of having multiple layers is the different kinds of protection they offer. The outermost layer of the epidermis is known as the stratum corneum. This layer is the first barrier of our body against physiological issues and pathogens, toxins, allergens, etc.

The protective corneum acts as a barrier layer. It is made up of lipids, debris, dead tissue and dying layers. They all protect the underlying healthy and new tissue from stress, infection, dehydration, chemicals, allergens and much more. In the winters, the cold temperatures, and low humidity levels damage this protective layer. Thus, dry skin is formed.

Dry Skin and Related Issues

Dry skin, also known as Xerosis, is only the beginning of a plethora of issues that may arise if your skin is not well cared for. Aggravation of dry skin may lead to eczema, psoriasis, cracking of the lips, and periorbital and perioral (hyper) pigmentation, among others. Dry skin will lead to the person suffering from flare ups of these issues and thus experience extreme discomfort.

Healing Dry Skin

The skin of our upper body, and especially our hands, requires special care and attention. They are exposed to the elements throughout the day and bear the brunt of the harsh changes in climate and temperature. Dry skin of the hands and feet are quite the perturbing problem. Healing of dry skin takes anywhere from two to four weeks, depending on the level and depth of damage. Celestee recommends products with ceramide and niacinamide in it due to their healing properties.

For those suffering from severe eczema in the winter months, we recommend hydrocortisone for its anti-inflammatory properties. Components such as petroleum jelly, glycerine, and hyaluronic acid all aid in fast repair of dry skin.

One must use a moisturizer regularly. When choosing your moisturizer, look for one that is compatible with your skin. Your moisturizer should be a thick, whole body moisturizer. Take care to use it multiple times a day during the harsh winter months.

Take care to stay hydrated and always remember to use sunscreen for protection. Sunscreens that come labelled with a broader SPF are recommended, and the use of sunscreen should be habitual.

In terms of make-up routines, skip the toner for a change and only exfoliate your skin moderately. We do not want to aggravate the already drying and tensed skin through vigorous exfoliation. Instead, invest in a shower gel that comes equipped with Aquaphor, such as the Aktisoft Shower Gel. Aquaphor’s emolliating properties are well suited to the winter months. A rich lip balm is a good investment as well and must be included into your routine.

If possible, invest in humidifying your home and/or your workspace. Humidification will help with the low humidity in terms of climate and help with the problem of dehydration of the skin.

Vitamin C enhances production of lipid barriers and of collagen. Vitamin C is an effective counteragent to dry skin. Whether received through topical application or ingestion, the benefits are multifold.

Natural remedies for dry skin include changes that can be incorporated into your daily routine. Hydration and exercise are well suited to the effects of cold weather. Partake in antioxidants along with Vitamin C. While sun protection is a must, a variety of natural oils such as olive oil, coconut oil and argan oil, all boost our protection levels.

Don’t Forget Your Feet!

The skin of our feet carries our weight and us across distances and bears us to our destinations. Our feet require care and attention to perform at their best, and being used so frequently, are susceptible to dry skin and issues resulting from wear and tear.

To care for your feet, the most important decision to make would be regarding your footwear. Only the right footwear is beneficial. Check for size and mobility. It should not weigh your down so that you end up dragging your feet, not should it be so tight a fit that it hurts to walk, or your feet struggle to receive blood. Remember to wear socks with your footwear – it is possible to mould socks into your fashion and aesthetic while also ensuring you take care of your body.

Moisturizing should not be limited to only your upper body but also your feet! Gently massage your moisturizer on your feet, taking care to cover your ankles and rub in between your toes. Indulge in some much needed comfort along with caring for your feet.

Exfoliation is especially beneficial for the skin of your feet, which grow hardened with use, wear and tear. Toughness of skin is never a good sign, and exfoliating your feet packs a punch of comfort and care, all in one. We suggest using a pumice stone for exfoliation. Scrub well and moisturize after to protect the feet.

A few simple changes to your daily lifestyle, and your skin will thank you manifold in the coming winter months!

Suction blister technique

Suction blister grafting is a technique used to treat patients with stable and resistant vitiligo. In a skin graft, healthy skin is removed from an unaffected part of the body and subsequently transplanted onto a discoloured patch of your skin. Grafting is time consuming, and thus requires in-depth knowledge and consultation before choosing it as an option for your treatment.

In the suction blister method, blisters are created on the donor part of your skin, i.e. the healthy, unaffected part of your body. These blisters are created via suction. Once blisters are formed, their roofs are cut, cleaned, and dissected for grafting. Once the graft has been transplanted, the area is dressed, and the surgery is complete.

Re-pigmentation of the area begins anywhere from one month to three months post surgery. Sometimes, the blisters formed are inadequate for use. Raising the blisters is painful and thus the technique is carried out only in small proportions.

Ultra-thin split grafting technique

This is yet another skin grafting technique that comes recommended for the re-pigmentation it offers. Ultra-thin split grafting does not lead to any scarring at the donor site, is relatively more time saving, and can cover a larger area of the skin as well. It requires a thoroughly trained professional to do it who is able to maintain a quality in the grafts. They determine the ultimate result of the procedure.

In this technique, a very thin layer of the skin, which includes the epidermis, is grafted to transfer the melanocytes to the affected area. When no dermal component is present, good results are highly achievable. The donor site also reports better healing. Ultra-thin split grafting has also be used at times without supplemental UV exposure. This skin grafting technique is often used to treat areas of the body affected by vitiligo that are quite sensitive. One example is the eyelid area, where the skin is naturally very thin. Vitiligo of this area can be treated through ultra-thin split grafting.

Non-cultured epidermal transfer

This is a treatment method used to work on stable or resistant vitiligo. A safe and simple procedure, the surgery is recommended to patients resistant to other therapies for vitiligo treatment. One of the main benefits of the technique is that it is able to treat a much larger area than what a skin graft would allow for.

In a non-cultured epidermal transfer, there are melanocytes and keratinocytes both used. These epidermal cells are extracted from the donor site, such as the thigh, and spread on the affected, de-pigmented area. This procedure requires a proper laboratory setup, well trained professionals, and good expertise with extracting the cells from the donor site. The method shows good results regarding re-pigmentation and is one of the rising methods in treating vitiligo.

Phototherapy

At Celestee, these treatments are followed up by phototherapy. When done with narrow band ultraviolet (UV-B) light, active vitiligo has shown stoppage or slowing down. Care is maintained so as to not over-expose the skin to the UV-B light. Multiple sessions are required of this second line treatment for effective results. Research has shown that when phototherapy has been used in conjunction with other treatments, there has been an improvement in re-pigmentation. Usually, one avails phototherapy two to three times a week.

Vitiligo, while chronic, is not untreatable. With proper diagnosis, consultation and guidance, effective results can be obtained. Technological advancements have brought treatment options much further, with regards to recovery time as well as re-pigmentation chances.