Winter Is Coming - Protect Your Skin!
Its only September, I know. But right now is the time to start gearing up to protect your skin this winter. Summers warmth is lovely Im a huge fan of warm weather myself but it can and will dehydrate the body, especially if youve been out in the sun and got yourself a tan. Tanned skin is drier than un-tanned, as you can see and feel for yourself. Swimming pools with chlorine are very drying to the skin (also to the eyes and hair), and so is salt water. Air conditioning dehydrates the air ... and your skin. Add to that the fact that almost none of us really drink as much water as we are told we should; and, we may also have been paying more attention to looking good in a bathing suit than to our nutritional needs for optimum health.
Depending on where and how you live, the humidity of summer can help make up for a tiny bit of all that damage, but now were headed toward fall and winter the season of central heat and frosty air. So lets get ready! Your skin will need to work overtime to fight back and maintain its integrity. Preparation now can give you a real leg up when the cold winds begin to blow.
The first line of defense, in case you havent guessed, is HYDRATION! Drinking the standard eight glasses of water daily may not be what you need. Depending on your height, weight and activity level, you may need more or less than that. Remember that anything with caffeine in it will have a diuretic effect, so dont consider regular coffee, sodas, tea, and such as water intake. Alcohol has the same effect, so use caution there as well.
Theres a very simple test that anyone can do to see if they need more fluids in their diet. Stand in front of a mirror before you bathe, and before applying moisturizers, on your skin. Gently pinch up some of the skin on your upper chest (use your thumb and forefinger) and see if it sticks together (even for a split second). If it does, this is called tenting, and indicates a definite need for more water in the body. You can try it on your hands, if youre young, but since the hands are almost always drier than the central part of the body, it can be misleading. If youre mature (being past 50, I like that term better than older!) your hands may always show signs of tenting, so I recommend using the upper chest over a bonier area to do the test.
Moisturizers are a "must" all year around, but especially so in winter. If you will be spending time in sunny, snowy locations, be sure your moisturizer has an SPF higher than 15. Otherwise, SPF 8-15 is probably good enough. Use it all over too not just on your face and remember to exfoliate at least once a week to get rid of the dead, flaky skin cells on the top layer of dermis. Check the oil content (not petroleum oil please) of your moisturizer' since the more oil, the better protection youll receive. Ointment-type moisturizers are the best for this.
If you have a humidifier on your furnace, you already have a bit of an advantage; but, you may still need to invest in a room-size unit if you live in a colder climate. That goes for homes with radiators or forced-air heat, too. If your furnace doesnt have humidification, there are lots of free-standing units out there, of all sizes and price points. You can easily find one (or maybe more) that will fulfill your needs. Should you notice that youre waking up with a stuffy nose, itchy eyes or nose bleeds, there are ointments available at any drug store to soothe those irritated membranes. If the itchy, dry skin is really severe, ask your doctor to prescribe a mild steroid or other emollient cream to help heal those painful cracks, and prevent eczema.
Hard as it may be to read this, long hot showers (or soaking in a steamy tub) will not help your skin stay soft and supple. Instead, theyll wash away the naturally-occurring lipids (fats) and leave your skin drier than when you started. Keep your showers short, use a good bath oil in the tub, a soft towel to pat not rub dry, and moisturize all over with a good, oil-rich ointment.
Finally, get out there and move around! Exercise increases blood circulation, which is how all that water gets to your cells in the first place. Enjoy the cooler seasons, take long walks in the autumn air, indulge in ice skating or skiing, or participate in whatever activity attracts you. If you arent a snow-lover (that would be me) make an extra effort to get to the gym, enroll in a yoga class, or use a treadmill to keep your heart pumping and your limbs moving. Old man winter may not be a friend to your skin, but using these suggestions, you will have more than enough ammo in your arsenal to keep him at bay!
Nancy Miller, RN, BA Psych, CHyT
Nancy Miller got her RN degree in 1975 and went on to earn a BA in Humanistic Psychology from Goucher College in 2002. She's also a certified hypnotherapist and an ordained minister. Nancy is the mother of one child, her 24 year old son Eric, of whom she is extremely proud.
Looking for more Nurse Nancy? Read her feature column on "Hearing and The Ear".
