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Skin Care treatment options
2008-01-10
Dear Dr. Proskiw;
I am a 36 year old accountant, and wife, and mother to three very active children. We ski as a family at Big White all winter, and I love to run in order to decrease stress and feel better during the week. I have noticed that my skin feels dry, looks red and flaky, and burns after a weekend of skiing with our children. I’ve even noticed a few spider veins around my nose and on my cheeks. I really haven’t had to do much to my skin and I don’t wear makeup. My husband doesn’t do any special skin care but his skin looks great. He tells me that I may need to use a moisturizer. Can you help me?
Answer:
Skin care in the winter takes on special importance because of the cold and decreased humidity. Ignoring the early signs of skin damage, such as redness, flaking, spider veins, and burning can result in more serious long term damage to your skin. Skin that is left unprotected from harmful UV rays is especially serious and can result in the development of actinic keratosis (flaking thickened skin areas), basal cell skin carcinomas, or even squamous cell skin carcinomas that require surgery. For this reason, I recommend a sun block of SPF 30 or greater.
Skin care has its roots in the 4th millennium BC in China and the Middle East. It is believed that the Egyptians developed many natural skin care treatments for a variety of skin conditions. They used bullock’s bile, whipped ostrich eggs, olive oil, dough, honey, and plant resins mixed with milk or yoghurt. We still use some of these today. For example yoghurt is a source of lactic acid and we still use lactic and alpha hydroxyl acids peels and lotions today.
Question:
What skin care program do you recommend in the winter especially for the active outdoor person?
Answer:
I recommend 3 Winter Skin Care Tips.
1. Moisturize
Use a good quality moisturizer from a well know skin care professional. They all work well for various skin types and I always recommend sun block of SPF 30 or greater to be used when engaging in outdoor activities. Don’t forget a lip balm protector! Apply the moisturizer 2 – 3 times during the day and drink at least 8 glasses of water to keep you and your skin hydrated. Smoking and excess alcohol contribute to drying out the skin.
2. Cleanse
Avoid long hot showers and harsh cleansing soaps. Both will only tend to make your skin dry and decrease the protective oils your skin produces. Use alcohol free cleansers since they dry out skin.
3. Sun Protection
Never forget sun protection creams. A moisturizer such as
Elta-30 is excellent sun blocks as well. Remember to also protect your lips.
Question:
What about the spider veins around my nose and on my cheeks?
Answer:
These changes to your face are a result of unprotected sun exposure. Laser treatment is very successful in treating sun damage and precancerous skin lesions.
I hope this answers some of your questions. Please contact your family physician and skin care professional for further information.
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