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by JULIA HARR
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
Add one part freezing outdoor weather, two parts dry indoor weather, a dash of ice and a sprinkling of snow, and mix together to get a recipe for High Country winter weather and skin irritation.
With cold dry weather come skin problems, especially for those with dry skin.
Many people have to adjust their skin care regime to cope with changing conditions.
“In the
winter people are more prone to dry skin because of dry air and dry
heat in buildings,” local dermatologist Dr. Maggie Sparks said.
There are several mistakes people make when caring for their skin during the winter.
“Too hot
of a bath or shower will dry skin out, so will too long of a bath or
shower,” Sparks said. “Many people often take too many showers [one or
two a day]. This can dry the skin out a lot.”
Sparks said other mistakes include using a harsh soap and not moisturizing soon enough after a shower.
“Ideally, a moisturizer should be applied after skin is patted dry and
while the skin is still damp from bathing,” Sparks said. “Many people
use antibacterial soaps which are very drying; using soap with
moisturizer in it would be better.”
She said there are many varieties of moisturizing soap on the market.
She also suggests using bath oils.
“The brand of moisturizer isn’t important, anything that seals in moisture will work,” she said.
Eliza G. Phillips, senior international business major, has a couple of habits to protect her skin in the winter.
“I use an apricot scrub on my face, that helps to get the dry, dead
skin off,” she said. I then apply Pond’s lotion for dry skin.”
Phillips also said she takes a bath over a shower because she heard it helped with dry skin.
“I don’t notice a huge difference in my skin if I use the moisturizer, it almost feels the same,” Phillips said.
Returning moisture to the air indoors will help with skin irritation.
Sparks recommended using a humidifier to ease the dryness of warm indoor air.
“A humidifier will throw moisture back into the air,” she said. “It is also helpful for sinus problems and allergies.”
Sparks said dry skin problems happen more because of external irritants
than improper nutrition, but there are a few tips to remember.
“It’s good to eat the right oils, ones without saturated fat,” she
said. “[These oils can be found] in avocado, sunflower oil, saffron oil
and flax seed oil.”
Getting some sunlight can help with severely dry skin diseases like eczema or psoriasis, Spark said.
She also said sun exposure should be moderate because of dangers of
skin cancers. Special lamps with a balance of ultraviolet A and B
lights are available for severe cases but Sparks advises against going
to a tanning bed, especially for those with fair skin.
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