Here are four different types of procedures that can help make you look better and younger. Ask your dermatologist if you are a good candidate for one of the following:
1) Laser resurfacing procedures or peels
2) Fillers
3) Tightening or lifting procedures
4) Botox or relaxing procedures
www.lisabenestmd.com
Showing posts with label skin advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skin advice. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Gimme A Kiss
You go to the gym and buy work out equipment for the home to keep your body in shape, so why not also take the time to work out your face. Facial muscles need as much exercise as much as the rest of your body. As facial skin and muscles lose elasticity and start sagging over time, regularly exercising your facial muscles ensures that they will stay firm, support the skin on your face against gravity and have good circulation so that you can decrease wrinkles and droopiness in old age.
Facial muscle exercises don't require a gym, and can be done pretty much anywhere in just a few minutes. Set aside a few minutes in the morning and before bed, and try to do five to ten repetitions of each. Doing these in front of the mirror in the morning will also help you start your day with a laugh! How about at your desk? Or on the subway? Or bus? In your carpool if you’re a passenger – give the other drivers a good laugh! (Just don’t distract them too much – or get distracted yourself if you’re driving.)
1. “Oh My” - raise your eyebrows as high as you can and hold them for five seconds.
2. “I Love Gene Simmons” - open your mouth as wide as possible and stick your tongue out as far as you can and hold for a few seconds.
3. “The Scream” - using your three center fingers, press down on your cheeks and smile as hard as you can to raise your cheek muscles against your fingers.
4. “Bewitched” - move your nose as much as you can from side to side.
5. “The Sourpuss” - lift your eyebrows as high as you can, open your eyes as wide as possible and frown at the same time.
6. “Gimme a Kiss” - pucker your lips out as far as possible into the shape of an "O." Then change your expression into a wide smile. Repeat several times.
7. “Don’t Ask” - sit in a comfortable chair and look up at the ceiling. Pucker your lips and stick your tongue out as far as possible to exercise your neck muscles. You can also simulate a chewing motion (or chew gum!) while you are in this position.
Once you’ve established a regular routine for working out your face, don’t forget to reward those hard working facial muscles by giving yourself a face massage. Press your fingers into your facial muscles and work in gentle, circular motions from top to bottom. This increases circulation and also helps your facial muscles relax if you have been looking really stressed.
As you’ll soon see, it does not take long to do these facial exercises, and you will be rewarded now and in the future with healthy, firm and glowing skin – and a good laugh every day!
Dr Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about skin rejuvenation as well as the most up-to-date lasers, schedule a Free Consultation with their cosmetic nurse. Check out their website for a complete list of all the treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com
She can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Say Goodbye to Raccoon Eyes
Dark eyes can be quite dramatic when applied with eye liner…or if you’re a raccoon. But dark circles in the form of “bags under the eyes” make us look old and tired and simply detract from the rest of our appearance. Cover up and eye makeup can help hide dark circles, but the best solution is to understand the real cause and apply an effective remedy.
Dark circles under or around the eyes can be caused by many different factors. The most common causes are:
Fatigue, lack of sleep: Excessive tiredness can cause paleness of the skin and poor circulation, which can cause the skin to appear darker.
Nutrition: The lack of nutrients in the diet, or the lack of a balanced diet, can contribute to the discoloration of the under eye area.
Stress: A too-fast-paced lifestyle, or long hours on the computer, can contribute to bags under your eyes, especially when coupled with inadequate sleep.
Heredity: Like varicose veins, dark circles under the eyes can be an inherited trait. The skin under the eye is very thin. When blood passes through the large veins close to the surface of the skin it can produce a bluish tint. The more transparent your skin, the darker the circles appear.
Allergies, Asthma and Eczema: Any condition that causes eyes to itch can contribute to dark circles under the eyes because rubbing or scratching can darken the skin. Hay fever sufferers particularly will notice under-eye "shiners" during the height of the allergy season.
Medications: Medications that cause blood vessels to dilate can cause circles under the eyes to appear darker. Because the skin under the eyes is very delicate, any increase blood flow shows through the skin.
Age: As we get older, there is a shift in the fat pad under the eye, and you may develop creases. This can looks like dark circles, because the creases cast shadows on the skin. This shadowing greatly improves with the application of fillers, such as Restylane, under the skin.
Consult with your dermatologist to determine the actual cause of the dark circles. And follow these simple guidelines to improve your circulatory health and appearance right away.
Get eight hours of sleep: This is a must for all of us, especially for people with dark circles under their eyes.
Diet: Eat a whole-foods, plant-based diet, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol, coffee, tea and soft drinks.
Include green leafy vegetables and all other food items that are rich source of vitamin K. Vitamin K is very effective in treating the damaged capillaries around the eyes.
Tea Bag Treatment: Try applying a cold compress of green or black tea to increase circulation, which helps reduce swelling around the eyes. Steep for 20 minutes, then strain and chill. Place over eyes for 15 to 20 minutes, once a day, as needed.
Moisturizer: To minimize the appearance of bags, plump up skin with moisturizer, one that contains vitamin C, green Tea, vitamin K and other antioxidants.
Whether from heredity, stress, diet or any other reason, dark circles under the eyes just make us look tired. Simple diet and lifestyle changes can help reduce those circles, but to erase them most effectively consult with your dermatologist and say “goodbye” to raccoon eyes.
Dr. Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank, CA. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about how to take care of your skin as well as the most up-to-date treatments in skin care, schedule a Free Consultation with their cosmetic nurse.
Lisa Benest M.D.
1624 W. Olive #B
Burbank, CA
818-729-9149
http://www.lisabenestmd.com
Monday, March 29, 2010
Get Your Body Ready For Summer
By Lisa Benest MD
It’s almost time to shed those winter woolies and expose your skin to summer sunshine. Are you and your skin ready? Most of us can’t go straight from parkas to poolside – we need a little help getting our bodies ready for short sleeves, bare legs and bathing suits! Here are a few simple procedures you can do to show off your body at its best this summer.
Dry Skin
Winter is harsh on skin, and nothing looks worse in that pretty spring dress than dry, cracked skin. A full body exfoliation will get rid of that dead skin and get the fresh glow of spring. Pay special attention to feet, knees and elbows, and any other trouble spots for your body. But remember – your facial skin is more sensitive than your arms and legs, so don’t use the same product on your whole body.
You can also help your body deal with dry skin from the inside out! Keep skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day. Also, foods rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids – such as fish or fish oils – will help keep your skin glowing with health.
Breakouts on Chest and Back
Heavy winter clothing – or even your layered workout clothing – traps sweat and oil, allowing it to mix with dead skin and bacteria in your pores, forming pimples. This might look bad, but it’s not hard to handle. A medicated body wash, with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, will help kill bacteria and unclog pores. Or treat yourself to a peel, which will not only help with pimples, but also any residual redness and scarring.
Laser Hair Removal
Hair removal can be burdensome and uncomfortable. But unlike shaving, tweezing or waxing, laser hair removal is a more comfortable and long-lasting solution to removing excess hair. Laser hair removal treatment is effective on a wide range of body and face areas, with permanent hair reduction achieved in almost all cases. Laser hair removal systems use a non-invasive laser light that is specifically designed to eliminate hair. During treatment, highly controlled flashes of light energy are delivered to the treatment area, where they are selectively absorbed by the hair follicles below the surface of the skin. The laser light destroys the hair follicle without damaging the skin.
Laser hair removal is very popular with women for facial hair, underarm area and the bikini line. But men also choose laser hair removal for their back, neck, shoulders, and chest.
Removal of Spider Veins
Hate those facial spider veins? Don’t go buy a hat to hide under. Lasers can address the veins as well as facial blotchiness. For veins on the legs, injection sclerotherapy is a comfortable procedure with an excellent success rate. You can also treat "cherry angiomas," those pesky little red spots we get as we get older. And with virtually no downtime, you can be enjoying the summer in no time.
Skin Cancer Prevention
Skin cancer is never attractive. Neither is leathery, over-exposed skin. The greatest underlying cause of skin cancer is the accumulated damage from excessive sun exposure. While all skin cancers can be successfully cured if they are discovered and treated early, prevention is your best way of avoiding skin cancer later in life. Use sunscreen with a high SPF (such as 30 or 45) on face, neck and hands. Avoid sun exposure when UV rays are at their peak (between 11am and 4 pm), and wear long sleeves, long pants and a hat when you can’t avoid overexposure. However, remember to supplement with extra vitamin D to maintain appropriate levels in your body.
The warm weather is almost here, and if you use some of these simple procedures, you’ll be ready to show off your summer skin in no time! Add a cool drink and a hot pedicure, and everyone will be asking you for your beauty secrets! So do it now - treat your skin and yourself and look great and feel confident this summer!
Dr Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about skin rejuvenation as well as the most up-to-date lasers, schedule a Free Consultation with their cosmetic nurse. Check out their website for a complete list of all the treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com
She can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
www.lisabenestmd.com
It’s almost time to shed those winter woolies and expose your skin to summer sunshine. Are you and your skin ready? Most of us can’t go straight from parkas to poolside – we need a little help getting our bodies ready for short sleeves, bare legs and bathing suits! Here are a few simple procedures you can do to show off your body at its best this summer.
Dry Skin
Winter is harsh on skin, and nothing looks worse in that pretty spring dress than dry, cracked skin. A full body exfoliation will get rid of that dead skin and get the fresh glow of spring. Pay special attention to feet, knees and elbows, and any other trouble spots for your body. But remember – your facial skin is more sensitive than your arms and legs, so don’t use the same product on your whole body.
You can also help your body deal with dry skin from the inside out! Keep skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water every day. Also, foods rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids – such as fish or fish oils – will help keep your skin glowing with health.
Breakouts on Chest and Back
Heavy winter clothing – or even your layered workout clothing – traps sweat and oil, allowing it to mix with dead skin and bacteria in your pores, forming pimples. This might look bad, but it’s not hard to handle. A medicated body wash, with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, will help kill bacteria and unclog pores. Or treat yourself to a peel, which will not only help with pimples, but also any residual redness and scarring.
Laser Hair Removal
Hair removal can be burdensome and uncomfortable. But unlike shaving, tweezing or waxing, laser hair removal is a more comfortable and long-lasting solution to removing excess hair. Laser hair removal treatment is effective on a wide range of body and face areas, with permanent hair reduction achieved in almost all cases. Laser hair removal systems use a non-invasive laser light that is specifically designed to eliminate hair. During treatment, highly controlled flashes of light energy are delivered to the treatment area, where they are selectively absorbed by the hair follicles below the surface of the skin. The laser light destroys the hair follicle without damaging the skin.
Laser hair removal is very popular with women for facial hair, underarm area and the bikini line. But men also choose laser hair removal for their back, neck, shoulders, and chest.
Removal of Spider Veins
Hate those facial spider veins? Don’t go buy a hat to hide under. Lasers can address the veins as well as facial blotchiness. For veins on the legs, injection sclerotherapy is a comfortable procedure with an excellent success rate. You can also treat "cherry angiomas," those pesky little red spots we get as we get older. And with virtually no downtime, you can be enjoying the summer in no time.
Skin Cancer Prevention
Skin cancer is never attractive. Neither is leathery, over-exposed skin. The greatest underlying cause of skin cancer is the accumulated damage from excessive sun exposure. While all skin cancers can be successfully cured if they are discovered and treated early, prevention is your best way of avoiding skin cancer later in life. Use sunscreen with a high SPF (such as 30 or 45) on face, neck and hands. Avoid sun exposure when UV rays are at their peak (between 11am and 4 pm), and wear long sleeves, long pants and a hat when you can’t avoid overexposure. However, remember to supplement with extra vitamin D to maintain appropriate levels in your body.
The warm weather is almost here, and if you use some of these simple procedures, you’ll be ready to show off your summer skin in no time! Add a cool drink and a hot pedicure, and everyone will be asking you for your beauty secrets! So do it now - treat your skin and yourself and look great and feel confident this summer!
Dr Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about skin rejuvenation as well as the most up-to-date lasers, schedule a Free Consultation with their cosmetic nurse. Check out their website for a complete list of all the treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com
She can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
www.lisabenestmd.com
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Fight Back Against the Signs of Aging
by Lisa Benest MD
Cellular function begins to slow down in our 20s and 30s, and when combined with sun exposure, spots, dullness, fine lines and wrinkles can start to show much sooner. In fact, most of us start to show some signs of aging by 25, when skin-cell turnover begins to slow and moisture levels decrease. Here are some tried and true anti-aging basics, plus some innovative treatments and products, to help you prevent or reduce the signs of aging.
Use Sunblock
Sun exposure will make your skin look older. Wrinkles, sun spots, discoloration and fine lines age the skin on your face, arms, legs, neck and chest. Using a sunblock with a high SPF won’t undo past exposure, but will prevent damage from future exposure. And don’t wait for summer – the sun’s UV rays are working on your skin all year long. One caveat—those with limited sun exposure will need to supplement with extra vitamin D, as one cannot get sufficient vitamin D from the diet alone.
Peels
A peel (chemical or other) gets rid of the old, dead layers of skin, leaving your complexion fresh and rejuvenated. A chemical peel is a treatment in which an acidic solution is used to remove the damaged top layers of the skin. Other peels use varying ingredients (such as fruits, enzymes or other plant materials), but all peels enhance and smooth your complexion.
Nutritional Supplements
Too many of us do not get enough vital nutrition from our diets. Supplements can help provide the vitamins, minerals and amino acids that contribute to overall systemic health, and help prevent inflammation and free radical damage in organs – including the skin. Consider adding vitamin D3 and Fish Oils (Omega 3 Fatty Acids) to your vitamin regime. If you do take a multivitamin, make sure it is food based and not synthetic, for better integration.
Moisturizers and other topical treatments
The right moisturizer can help fortify and renew your skin, sealing in moisture while protecting your skin from environmental dirt and toxins. For even more effectiveness in fighting aging, look for a moisturizer that has active ingredients such as antioxidants and peptides to help encourage natural metabolic skin function and a healthy complexion. Topical retinoids, such as Retin-A, diminish dark spots, balance skin tone and suppress visible wrinkles. Your dermatologist can prescribe the appropriate treatment for you.
Hydrate
Remember, moisturizing isn’t just about lotions and creams. Hydrate your skin by drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods rich in antioxidants. You can also use a humidifier while you sleep to give your dry skin a boost during the night, which will prevent your skin from drying out throughout the day.
Active FX/Total FX
Active FX/Total FX is a revolutionary fractional laser for more severely sun-damaged skin. An Active FX/Total FX treatment reduces wrinkles and fine lines by working deeper in the skin, to stimulate new collagen formation. The skin becomes plumper and the skin tone and texture show noticeable improvement. This is also a great treatment for facial acne scars.
The right treatment can help prevent skin damage before it’s even visible. But remember – whatever treatments or products you use on your face, you want to address your neck as well. Don’t let the skin below your face give your secret away.
Dr Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about skin rejuvenation as well as the most up-to-date lasers, schedule a Free Consultation with their cosmetic nurse. Check out their website for a complete list of all the treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com
She can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com
Cellular function begins to slow down in our 20s and 30s, and when combined with sun exposure, spots, dullness, fine lines and wrinkles can start to show much sooner. In fact, most of us start to show some signs of aging by 25, when skin-cell turnover begins to slow and moisture levels decrease. Here are some tried and true anti-aging basics, plus some innovative treatments and products, to help you prevent or reduce the signs of aging.
Use Sunblock
Sun exposure will make your skin look older. Wrinkles, sun spots, discoloration and fine lines age the skin on your face, arms, legs, neck and chest. Using a sunblock with a high SPF won’t undo past exposure, but will prevent damage from future exposure. And don’t wait for summer – the sun’s UV rays are working on your skin all year long. One caveat—those with limited sun exposure will need to supplement with extra vitamin D, as one cannot get sufficient vitamin D from the diet alone.
Peels
A peel (chemical or other) gets rid of the old, dead layers of skin, leaving your complexion fresh and rejuvenated. A chemical peel is a treatment in which an acidic solution is used to remove the damaged top layers of the skin. Other peels use varying ingredients (such as fruits, enzymes or other plant materials), but all peels enhance and smooth your complexion.
Nutritional Supplements
Too many of us do not get enough vital nutrition from our diets. Supplements can help provide the vitamins, minerals and amino acids that contribute to overall systemic health, and help prevent inflammation and free radical damage in organs – including the skin. Consider adding vitamin D3 and Fish Oils (Omega 3 Fatty Acids) to your vitamin regime. If you do take a multivitamin, make sure it is food based and not synthetic, for better integration.
Moisturizers and other topical treatments
The right moisturizer can help fortify and renew your skin, sealing in moisture while protecting your skin from environmental dirt and toxins. For even more effectiveness in fighting aging, look for a moisturizer that has active ingredients such as antioxidants and peptides to help encourage natural metabolic skin function and a healthy complexion. Topical retinoids, such as Retin-A, diminish dark spots, balance skin tone and suppress visible wrinkles. Your dermatologist can prescribe the appropriate treatment for you.
Hydrate
Remember, moisturizing isn’t just about lotions and creams. Hydrate your skin by drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods rich in antioxidants. You can also use a humidifier while you sleep to give your dry skin a boost during the night, which will prevent your skin from drying out throughout the day.
Active FX/Total FX
Active FX/Total FX is a revolutionary fractional laser for more severely sun-damaged skin. An Active FX/Total FX treatment reduces wrinkles and fine lines by working deeper in the skin, to stimulate new collagen formation. The skin becomes plumper and the skin tone and texture show noticeable improvement. This is also a great treatment for facial acne scars.
The right treatment can help prevent skin damage before it’s even visible. But remember – whatever treatments or products you use on your face, you want to address your neck as well. Don’t let the skin below your face give your secret away.
Dr Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about skin rejuvenation as well as the most up-to-date lasers, schedule a Free Consultation with their cosmetic nurse. Check out their website for a complete list of all the treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com
She can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tips to Keep Your Skin Smooth and Fresh in Winter
We’re highlighting three products that are essential for Winter. Just because we’re bundled up in sweaters and scarves doesn’t mean that we should forget about our skin until summer. Following these simple steps will keep you more comfortable all winter, and allow you to show smoother, fresher skin when the warm weather returns.
In the winter it is a good idea to switch to an oil-based moisturizer and moisturize frequently. The more oil a moisturizer contains the more effectively it protects against moisture loss. Moisturizers that come as an ointment contain the most oil and form a protective layer on the skin that makes them more “moisturizing” than creams and lotions.
Oil-based Moisturizer -
Moisturizing Complex by IS Clinical: Moisturizing Complex was created to work as a shield for the skin against environmental damages, it moisturizes and hydrates your skin, layers deep! It contains Jojoba Oil which is a natural oil used to help prevent water from escaping the skin, and Glycerin which absorbs and holds moisture. It is a heavier moisturizer, dry or mature skin.
If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Instead, find a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, a toner with no alcohol, and masks that are "deeply hydrating," rather than clay-based, which tends to draw moisture out of the face.
Foaming Cleanser -
Cleansing Gel by Exuvience: This face wash contains no artificial fragrances, but its natural fruit acids and botanical extracts, give it a light fruity smell. Great for most skin types but it is not ideal for someone with dry, sensitive skin. Also an excellent makeup remover, one pump with the foaming action...and you're set!
Don’t forget the sunscreen. Snow if more reflective than sand, making winter sunscreen as important as summer protection. Look for a SPF 30+ sunscreen with an oily, moisturizing cream. If you are unsure of which product to use, ask your dermatologist.
SPF 30 with Moisturizer -
Elta SPF 30 - UV Facial with Moisturizer: This sunscreen was specifically designed to provide moisturizing UV protection for the face, either alone or under makeup. It is a light, fluffy moisturizing base with an elegant feel. Great for all skin types.
To learn more about or order any of these products (or others) feel free to visit our product store online! Click here.
Read the rest of the article these Winter Skin tips came from here.
http://www.lisabenestmd.com
(These are great products to treat your loved ones...or yourself! Give them a gift to enhance their beauty, youth and confidence - they won't forget it! Happy Holidays!)
In the winter it is a good idea to switch to an oil-based moisturizer and moisturize frequently. The more oil a moisturizer contains the more effectively it protects against moisture loss. Moisturizers that come as an ointment contain the most oil and form a protective layer on the skin that makes them more “moisturizing” than creams and lotions.
Oil-based Moisturizer -
Moisturizing Complex by IS Clinical: Moisturizing Complex was created to work as a shield for the skin against environmental damages, it moisturizes and hydrates your skin, layers deep! It contains Jojoba Oil which is a natural oil used to help prevent water from escaping the skin, and Glycerin which absorbs and holds moisture. It is a heavier moisturizer, dry or mature skin.
If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Instead, find a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, a toner with no alcohol, and masks that are "deeply hydrating," rather than clay-based, which tends to draw moisture out of the face.
Foaming Cleanser -
Cleansing Gel by Exuvience: This face wash contains no artificial fragrances, but its natural fruit acids and botanical extracts, give it a light fruity smell. Great for most skin types but it is not ideal for someone with dry, sensitive skin. Also an excellent makeup remover, one pump with the foaming action...and you're set!
Don’t forget the sunscreen. Snow if more reflective than sand, making winter sunscreen as important as summer protection. Look for a SPF 30+ sunscreen with an oily, moisturizing cream. If you are unsure of which product to use, ask your dermatologist.
SPF 30 with Moisturizer -
Elta SPF 30 - UV Facial with Moisturizer: This sunscreen was specifically designed to provide moisturizing UV protection for the face, either alone or under makeup. It is a light, fluffy moisturizing base with an elegant feel. Great for all skin types.
To learn more about or order any of these products (or others) feel free to visit our product store online! Click here.
Read the rest of the article these Winter Skin tips came from here.
http://www.lisabenestmd.com
(These are great products to treat your loved ones...or yourself! Give them a gift to enhance their beauty, youth and confidence - they won't forget it! Happy Holidays!)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Winter Skin Blues – and Itchy, Cracked Reds
Winter can bring snow, crackling fires, holidays with friends and family… and dry, irritated, red and cracked skin. So, while you’re making your list and checking it twice, don’t forget your winter skin care regimen.
Here are a few things you can do to keep your skin moisturized and comfortable as that cozy winter sweater.
Use a humidifier. With heat on and windows closed, the air inside can become very dry. Placing two or three small, relatively inexpensive humidifiers around your home will help to humidify the dry air and keep skin from becoming cracked and itchy. Hydrating your body by drinking water will also help keep you comfortable all winter long.
Switch to an oil-based moisturizer and moisturize frequently. The more oil a moisturizer contains the more effectively it protects against moisture loss. Moisturizers that come as an ointment contain the most oil and form a protective layer on the skin that makes them more “moisturizing” than creams and lotions.
If your facial skin is uncomfortably dry, avoid using harsh peels, masks, and alcohol-based toners or astringents, all of which can strip vital oil from your skin. Instead, find a cleansing milk or mild foaming cleanser, a toner with no alcohol, and masks that are "deeply hydrating," rather than clay-based, which tends to draw moisture out of the face.
Wear gloves outside. Protect your hands from cold air and low humidity. Make sure the gloves are made from material that does not irritate your skin. And don’t forget to moisturize your hands (and your feet, too).
Dress in layers. Common causes of sweaty, itchy skin are sweating and overheating. Wearing layers allows you to remove clothing as needed to prevent overheating. Be sure to wear loose-fitting cotton fabrics next to your skin. And if your clothes or shoes get wet, take them off as soon as you get inside as wet clothes will also irritate the skin.
Don’t forget the sunscreen. Snow if more reflective than sand, making winter sunscreen as important as summer protection. Look for a SPF 30+ sunscreen with an oily, moisturizing cream. If you are unsure of which product to use, ask your dermatologist.
Treat it if it gets worse. Sometimes winter skin gets so dry it results in flaking, cracking, or even eczema. If this happens, see your dermatologist and get the right treatment for your skin type.
Just because we’re bundled up in sweaters and scarves doesn’t mean that we should forget about our skin until summer. Following these simple steps will keep you more comfortable all winter, and allow you to show smoother, fresher skin when the warm weather returns.
Dr Lisa Benest is a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Burbank. She and her staff provide comprehensive skin examinations as well as an array of non-invasive, cosmetic procedures and offer a full line of skin care products. To learn more about skin rejuvenation as well as the most up-to-date lasers, schedule a Free Consultation with their cosmetic nurse. Check out their website for a complete list of all the treatments: www.lisabenestmd.com
She can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com
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