Top 5 winter skincare tips from a Dermal Therapist
Written by: Allie, Derm Haus Dermal Therapist
Winter is well and truly here and with the temperature dropping you may begin to notice changes in your skin. For instance your skin may be dry, inflamed, scaly, itchy, sore, and often winter can even make skin conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis even worse.
But don’t worry, there are a few things that you can do to proactively fight these effects and keep your skin looking fresh and vibrant throughout winter.
First, it’s important to understand what causes our skin to change so much in winter.
Through winter our skin’s natural microbiome changes and it’s caused by a range of environmental and lifestyle changes, including:
Reduced moisture in the air
Drop in temperature
Less exposure to sun
Change in diet (many of us increase our intake of carbohydrates and fats in the cooler months which changes our collagen matrix and the bacteria colonies in our gut).
These changes result in an imbalance in oils on the surface of the skin and an increase of transepidermal water loss (this is the water that passively passes through the skin and contributes to keeping our skin hydrated).
And what we end up seeing superficially is thickened, dry skin which may become inflamed, scaly, itchy and sore.
So what can we do about it?
There are many things that you can do to help your skin through seasonal changes. Here are my top 5 winter skincare tips.
1. Increase your intake of essential fatty acids
Our skin is a large organ made up of cells, just like the rest of our body. When something is out of balance within our body, it’s a signal to us that our needs have changed. The skin is no different.
In winter, we need to increase our intake of essential fatty acids so our cells can utilise them effectively to regulate oil production and maintain our collagen matrix for bouncy healthy skin.
Try incorporating some of these into your diet: flaxseed oil, coconut oil, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and leafy vegetables.
I generally recommend to focus on fatty acids that are plant-based as they provide the framework for healthy bacteria to thrive and all the goodness can be absorbed and distributed optimally.
2. Increase your water intake
It’s important to stay hydrated during winter to help prevent dehydrated skin and to replenish fluids.
Try starting the day with a large glass of warm water. This is a great way to relax the digestive system and get things moving which flushes toxins, increases circulation and helps oxygenate cells.
3. Use skincare that locks moisture and protects the skin
We need to update our skincare products to accommodate the ever changing needs of our skin. In winter this means a richer moisturising oil along with a dense cream-based moisturiser to protect the skin and support oil regulation.
My go-to winter skincare is the DMK Barrier Repair pack. It’s a winter skin saviour that includes:
Biogen C: collagen boosting serum to calm the skin under environmental stress and improve skin elasticity and hydration.
Seba-E: hydrating oil to help reduce dryness and plump the skin.
Hydroloc: occlusive crème to lock in moisture and prevent the skin from drying out.
Herb and Mineral Mist: instant-delivery skin multivitamin, mineral and amino acid spray that helps your oils and crèmes to penetrate deep into the skin.
EFA Ultra capsules: a powerful blend of essential fatty acids to encourage healthy skin, hair and nails.
The DMK Barrier Repair pack even comes in a cute little toiletries bag to store your new skin care products.
This pack is available at Derm Haus Brisbane. Book a Skin Consultation with me or pop in to pick up a pack today.
4. Rejuvenate your skin with PRP Therapy
PRP Therapy is the number one clinical treatment for winter skin. Especially for those suffering from atopic dermatitis or psoriasis.
This treatment is the perfect solution to maintain moisture balance and helps protect your skin from the environmental changes occurring in the winter months.
PRP Therapy helps to increase collagen production and creates an influx of fresh, rehydrated cells to the upper layers of the skin, resulting in a bouncy, hydrated, and smoother appearance.
So how does PRP Therapy work?
PRP (aka Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy uses concentrated growth factors from your own blood to stimulate skin cells and regenerate and rejuvenate the skin. The PRP is injected and/or micro-needled into your skin. When these platelets come into contact with the skin they initiate a cell response where they release growth factors that instruct the surrounding cells to make new collagen and in turn begin to restore the skin's moisture retention and texture.
In the weeks and months following your treatment course, the cells continue to behave in this way making it a long term treatment.
For more information on PRP Therapy click here.
5. Try LED Light Therapy
LED Light Therapy is a proven, effective treatment for dermatitis, psoriasis, dry and ageing skin, making it the perfect winter skin therapy!
This non-invasive treatment uses targeted light energy to trigger your body’s natural cell processes to rejuvenate and repair the skin. Targeting both the surface of the skin (the epidermis) and the thick layer of living tissue below it (the dermis), your body uses the LED light as a source of energy to fuel the repair of damaged cells and kill bacteria.
LED is a quick treatment on its own or you can even add it onto your other skin treatments to enhance results.
For more information on LED Light Therapy click here.
While the weather is uncontrollable, skin health is not. There are many things that you can do to help your skin as the seasons change. If you’re noticing persistent concerns or need help with your winter skincare plan, book a Skin Consultation with me.
During an in-depth, 40-minute Skin Consultation, I’ll guide you through a personal skin therapy journey which includes clinical treatments and home skincare tailored to your lifestyle, budget and skin goals.
About Allie
Allie is a Senior Dermal Therapist at Derm Haus Brisbane and is highly trained in all things dermal science and clinical skin treatments. Her deep knowledge on how and why our skin behaves the way it does, along with her extensive experience with clinical aesthetic treatments, allows her to provide you with a holistic approach (that actually works!).
If you've got a particular skin concern that you'd like to discuss with Allie, book a Skin Consultation - it’s a great opportunity to get advice on your skincare routine, clinical treatments and discuss any skin concerns.
