After the hot, humid days of summer when it seems like all you have to do is walk out your front door to break a sweat, we welcome the cool, crisp days of fall. Here in the Winston-Salem area we are blessed to live in a four-season climate, which means we get to enjoy the leaves changing colors, temperatures perfect for sweaters and scarves, and clear days when the sky is so bright blue you’d think it was almost too good to be true.
But there are also some drawbacks to the season. Fall in North Carolina is the most rapidly changing season, temperature-wise. The daily temperature trends downward even faster than the upward climb in the spring. The cooler air is also drier because warm air can hold more moisture than cool air. The combination of dry, cool air and chilly winds leads to dry skin, partly because the dryness sucks moisture away from our bodies and also because the wind strips skin of its natural lipids, a barrier that keeps skin from drying out. And of course, dry skin looks more wrinkled than hydrated, full skin.
Add to all that the fact that cold weather constricts blood vessel, causing poor circulation, which can look dull without blood pumping oxygen and nourishment through it.
Luckily, there are ways to save your skin and avoid looking wrinkled due to the weather.
Step up your moisturizer. Where you went with a lighter moisturizer in the summer, now you can go back to hydrating product that also provides a barrier to the wind. At Davie Dermatology & The Med Spa we offer a variety of options when it comes to moisturizers. Take time to visit our website or make an appointment 336-940-2407 with our aesthetician, Jessica Shea, to find the one that’s right for you.
Be sure to keep using products with SPF 30 or greater. It might not seem like you have to slather on sunscreen when you’re shivering rather than sweating, but damaging UV rays are present all year long.
Wear scarves and hats. Sure, a great-looking scarf is a good fashion statement, but it also serves as protection against the wind, which is damaging to your skin. Adding an extra layer of outer protection is a good idea, even in the fall.
Invest in a humidifier. Forced-air heat in our homes and offices dries out skin just like the outdoor air does. You can combat this by installing a humidifier in your home, or even just putting one in your bedroom at night.
Try a chemical peel. We offer these treatments at The Med Spa, and fall is the perfect time to take advantage of them. A chemical peel will exfoliate and remove the top layer of your skin, leaving behind skin that looks and feels younger.
Get ready to look at feel your best as you enjoy the fall season and head into the holidays. Contact us at The Med Spa for further consultation on how to keep your skin looking its best.