Dry skin is more than the taut, itchy feeling of skin that lacks moisture. Dry skin is skin that isn’t functioning the way it should to act as a barrier between your internal organs and the stressors and toxins in the world.
At Radiance Dermatology in Bethesda, Maryland, your healthy skin is our priority. If you have dry skin, expert dermatologist Dr. Omolara Olowoyeye and our team may recommend a number of lifestyle changes and treatments to infuse your skin cells with moisture again.
If you’re in the habit of keeping your home warm during winter’s chill, the dry heat may be sucking moisture from your skin. Turn the thermostat down a little lower than usual, and keep yourself warm and toasty by wearing layers instead.
You may also increase the moisture level in your home by investing in a humidifier. Just as plants thrive in a moist environment, so does your skin. Keep the humidifier turned up to around 60% to keep the top layer of your skin (aka the epidermis) moist and replenished.
Harsh soaps, including dish detergents, and allergenic fabrics — including most types of wool — may irritate your skin and strip it of the oils that keep it moist and protected. If you love wool sweaters, switch to nonallergenic merino wool, or put on a cotton, silk, or bamboo underlayer before you don a sweater.
Switch to gentle cleansers that don’t dry your skin. Wear protective latex or rubber gloves (assuming you have no allergies) to protect your skin while washing dishes or cleaning.
Wash your clothes in detergents that are nonallergenic, gentle, and fragrance-free. Avoid fabric softeners that scent and coat your clothing with potentially irritating chemicals.
In addition to using gentle cleansers instead of soaps, treat your skin as gently as you would a newborn baby’s. Don’t scrub or use harsh, abrasive exfoliators or alcohol-based astringents.
Seal in moisture after a bath, handwashing, or face washing with a lubricating or moisturizing lotion or oil. You may choose to use organic coconut oil or another natural product to minimize the chance of irritation. We can also recommend medical-grade skin products specially formulated for dry skin.
As you get older, your skin is less able to shed its old, dead skin cells and replenish them with new cells. Regular exfoliating treatments that are formulated with your skin type in mind help increase cell turnover, so your skin looks and feels dewy and fresh.
Consider:
A monthly facial or professional exfoliating treatment helps keep your skin safe, healthy, and dewy.
If you’ve already begun to notice the signs of aging that accompany dry skin — such as wrinkles, thin skin, and sagging — we restore your skin with our aesthetic and rejuvenating treatments. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, for instance, rebuild skin cells from the inside out, using super-powered platelets from your own blood.
Stop itching and flaking today: Moisten and refresh your dry skin with our dermatologist and friendly staff. Feel free to call us at 301-430-4000 or book an appointment online.
