UNDERSTAND YOUR SKIN:

Alongside regular dryness and irritability, there are various skin conditions that can flare up during the colder months. It is important to understand your skin and how it reacts so that you can best treat and maintain it.

• Rosacea: this is a long-term skin condition that causes small, red bumps on the skin, particularly the nose, cheeks, and forehead. The causes of rosacea are unknown; however, the cold weather is known to often cause flare-ups. Another symptom of rosacea is dry skin.
• Eczema: this is a skin condition, often causing red and inflamed skin. Symptoms of eczema can include unbearable itching, dry and scaly patches on the skin, small, raised bumps on the skin, cracking skin, and sensitive skin. Unfortunately, flare-ups are particularly common in the winter due to the air being drier than the summer months as the skin is already prone to dryness.
• Like last winter, most up of are washing and sanitizing our hands much more often than previous years due to the pandemic. However, this can cause the skin on our hands to dry out, sometimes causing painful cracks in the skin especially near the nails.

WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN THIS WINTER:

Adjust your skin care routine: If you find that your skin becomes more sensitive in the winter it may be a sign that you need to switch up your routine. While it might feel tempted to add a bunch of new serums and moisturisers to your regular line up, this could make things worse. If your skin is irritated already due to the change in weather, it will probably be more sensitive to ingredients such as alcohol and fragrance. Meaning that even products that usually feel great on your skin, could now make it worse. Try to keep your routine as simple as possible, with just a moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning and a heavier moisturizer or overnight treatment before bed.

Keep it cool: While a piping hot bath or shower can be very tempting during the winter months, especially after a day spent out in the cold. However, heat removes the natural oils and moisture in your skin and can cause it to become extremely dry.

Hydrate from the inside: It doesn’t matter how much moisturiser, if you are dehydrated your skin will look and feel it. In addition to drinking enough liquids, it is recommended that you include foods that are high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. These can help protect your skin from environmental damage and promotes the production of healthy cells, including skin cells.

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR:

It is normal to notice a change in your skin with each season of the year. However, there may come a point when you need to consult a professional. Most people will find that they can treat dry skin or irritations themselves with home remedies. However, dry skin can become quite painful or lead to more issues if not dealt with. It is important to reach out to a doctor or dermatologist if your symptoms don’t improve at home.

HOW THE DOCTORS CLINIC GROUP CAN HELP:

Our private GPs and dermatologists will provide expert opinion, diagnosis, and treatment for a wide range of skin conditions. We recognise that achieving the best possible cosmetic outcome is of utmost importance to you. Get in touch today to book your appointment.

We understand how difficult it can be to see a dermatologist at short notice. That’s why we have introduced our Teledermatology service, so everyone has access to expert skin health advice without the wait. The process is simple. You submit a photo of your skin concern from your smartphone or tablet. Our consultant dermatologist will review it and send you back a detailed report answering all the questions you have. You will also be told if further investigation or treatment is needed. And you don’t need a referral to use our Teledermatology service. You can use our self-referral process so you can get your skin concern looked at whenever you’d like to.