The change in seasons is one of the beautiful things about life – wouldn’t you agree? Warm sunshine on your face (hopefully you’re wearing SPF though), the refreshing rain cleaning the air, a chilly breeze and colors changing in the trees signal Winter and soft snow flakes falling from the sky – no matter where you live, there is something magnificent about every season.
The transition between the seasons though, can also mean subtle and sometimes drastic changes in our skin. Sun can cause burning and ultimately sun spots, fine lines and even skin cancer if we’re not cautious. Let’s not forget that about 80% of wrinkles do come from the sun’s rays breaking down the collagen and elastin in our lovely dermis!
Rain initiates renewal and growth of lush green hills, flowers … and can trigger allergies. Depending on where you live and the climate, these triggers can be throughout the year! Adding to that would be wind, which certainly doesn’t help pesky allergies. And of course, the frigid, cold air and windy conditions dries and chaps our skin. Dehydration – well, let’s just say that is a year-round condition!
Spring and summer are upon us, so before we talk about what the conditions of those seasons may do to our skin, let’s first talk about the difference between skin type and skin conditions. They may help you understand your skin a bit more and how you can best nurture it.
Skin types are what we are born with; they are: Dry, Oily, Sensitive, Combo and in some cases Acneic. Dry skin is lacking natural oils and appears flakey and feels tighter; pores are smaller. People with oily skin will notice a “shine” by noon, even though they thoroughly washed their face that morning; their pores generally are larger. Sensitive skin clients are those who turn red easily and are sensitive to a lot of products. Skin types can fluctuate due to weather changes, but your skin type never changes. What skin type are you?
Skin conditions, on the other hand, may develop due to the environment one works and lives in as well as lifestyle choices — drinking excessively, smoking, stress, pollution, poor diet just to name a few. The skin conditions/disorders that must be diagnosed by a dermatologist may include, but are not limited to: Rosacea, acne, dermatitis, skin cancer, eczema and psoriasis. An esthetician can work with a doctor to help to soothe these conditions, but estheticians can tell you also how to minimize: Hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, dehydration (lacking water in the skin and body) and sensitized skin (ie. sunburn). What skin conditions might you be concerned about?
How can I treat/fix/heal my skin?
Now you have a better idea of what skin type you are and what conditions you may have. Here are tips on how to nurture your skin:
➢ Drink plenty of water. The majority of us are dehydrated; no matter the skin type or condition, drinking plenty of water is crucial to the health of the cells in our body.
➢ See a dermatologist. If you think you may have a skin disorder or a suspicious spot that could be skin cancer, schedule an appointment to see your dermatologist – the sooner, the better.
➢ See an esthetician. Estheticians can help you understand your skin better and offer at-home solutions and facial treatments for each skin type and skin condition that can soothe and improve your skin so that it looks its best.
➢ Wear sunscreen. SPF is the best anti-aging tool, not to mention protects us from skin cancers.
➢ Be kind to your skin. Whether it’s acne or sunspots or wrinkles, some people are too abrasive/harsh with strong products and aggressive treatments. This can sensitize skin and make it red, irritated and vulnerable to further damage.
Spring has sprung and winter is behind us – no more dry, chapped winter skin! Days are longer, flowers are blooming and it’s a perfect time to have a springtime glow. Our skin, the largest organ of our body, has an amazing ability to heal itself and even protect us.
