Grin & Bear It – Taking Stock of Your Skin This Season
Ah winter. There’s no better time to curb the gym, embrace the carbs and shelve skin and body must-dos. Right? Wrong say skin experts. Addressing your skin when seasons change is key – the cooler months are no exception. So, make it your winter to turn the tables on skin sins and push play to tackle dryness, to book in those cosmetic treatments, target your acne woes and map out your moles. As Erno Laszo, renowned Hungarian-born dermatologist, said, “Beautiful skin requires a commitment, not a miracle.”
Must add moisture
As the weather cools, there’s less moisture in the air and our skin’s natural barrier is compromised, resulting in dry, acne prone skin which is less able to fight off infections and bacteria.
“Skin dehydrates in winter, in places like Taupō you battle a semi-Alpine climate and in the Bay of Plenty you’ve got the cool coupled with exposed coastal factors,” says Krystie Marriott of Taupō’s Skin Sanctuary. “Before you go piling on your serums and oils, build up the hydration in your skin – namely with active hyaluronic acid. This could be a hydrating booster or an overnight mask.”
With hydration boosted, it’s time to apply those active ingredients to aid with restoration and preservation.
“Vitamins A, B and C are all necessary for repair and prevention. In winter you may also require a heavier moisturiser to lock in that hydration too.”
Well spotted
Dermatosis conditions of the skin – rosacea, eczema, psoriasis – can worsen when the cool sets in, which is why seeking solutions – beyond antibiotics – that actively work is essential to minimise pain and discomfort.
“The supermarket shelf doesn’t always fair well – dishing up solutions that are often ineffective long-term,” explains Dr Amy Stanway, renowned Bay of Plenty dermatologist. “A dermatologist will look at a face and immediately recognise if the skin is inflammatory or the non-inflammatory type – something many of us can’t tell.”
So, what are few acne treatment options a dermatologist might recommend?
“Topical retinoids – derived from Vitamin A, these unclog and regenerate skin cells faster,” says Amy. “Also Niacinamide – a topical B Vitamin – which has hit headlines of late as it decreases inflammation and improves skin texture.”
Mole over
Winter is a good time to look in to your mole situation, says Amy. “All Kiwis should have a yearly skin map – ideally before heading out in togs and jandals again. It’s not just about reducing our exposure; it’s about targeting the damage earlier for a better outcome.
“Research tells us that sunburn in young adulthood leads to a greater likelihood of developing skin cancer. For example, a study lead by the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University reported at least five blistering sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 were 80% more likely to develop melanoma,” she says. “Skin cancers can present on any part of the body, so a skin specialist examines all those hidden areas too.”
Enhance me
According to 2019’s global ‘tweakment’ trend, less really is more when it comes to cosmetic surgery, as many of us seek to ditch the filtered photo look and channel au naturel. So, if enhancing or redefining your features has been on the cards but you’re not wanting a full facelift, turning to non-surgical procedures to smooth may be just the ticket, says Dianna Morgan of New Zealand’s Cosmetic Solutions.
Dianna – who alternates her business between Diamond Laser Medispa in Taupō and Auckland – says it’s not a matter of eradicating but redefining.
“When it comes to your face, it’s not about filling in the gaps. Accurate use of fillers softens lines and defines to restore a more youthful and natural look. Today’s fillers are created using hyaluronan which is naturally present in our skin, so the process is less invasive and results last longer,” explains Dianna. “With Botox it’s less about subtracting years and more about harmonising features.”
Additionally, Botox has been shown to improve skins elasticity. A study published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery demonstrated Botox can improve the elasticity and pliability of skin for up to four months, and temporarily reverse the damage to skin elasticity caused by Ultraviolet radiation for approximately four months.