Winter is a good time to have certain skin treatments, like chemical peel, RF microneedling and laser (as discussed in previous blog), but the skin is often drier. Dry skin means less intact and thinner barrier. Such “weaker” barrier may lead to more symptoms after treatment and make recovery more intense and longer.
Because the skin is temporarily disrupted by these treatments, dry skin exacerbates the disruption in the skin. We, therefore, expect dry skin to cause:
- More peeling/flaking
- More stinging/burning with products (even with gentle products)
- Higher risk of irritation and dermatitis
- Prolonged inflammation, including redness
- Higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
- Slower healing
To enhance recovery and result, the skin should be optimized before any treatment that causes a break in the skin barrier and inflammation.
Regardless of treatment or not or time of year, we recommend a consistent skin regimen that controls dry skin. Dry skin makes the skin look older and duller, as surface cells shrink, fine lines appear deeper, and lights reflect unevenly. Because of these changes, I strongly recommend daily exfoliant. Exfoliation removes the flakiness and increases cell turnover for newer, healthier skin to rise to the surface. For sensitive skin, flaky skin or before treatment, the exfoliant should be gentle like lactic acid 5-10% (LaFace Essentials LactA Scrub) and stopped at least three days before treatment.
Having said that, I attribute my improved skin tone and texture to the stronger exfoliants I use daily and weekly. I wash my face twice daily with LaFace Essentials Glyco 10 cleanser and continue it until three days before her Morpheus8. I also apply LaFace Essentials T+S Retexturizer pad once a week. This is a combination of trichloroacetamide and salicyclic acid and my personal favorite—it has made the biggest difference in maintaining my pore size and uneven skin tone after the yearly Morpheus8 and chemical peel, respectively. Trichloroacetamide is also known as TCA, one of the most common chemical peels used in skin care when used in higher concentration. Of note, though, these stronger exfoliants should not be used excessively or when the skin is actively flakey or inflamed to avoid further aggravating the compromised skin
For moisturizing and barrier repair, I recommend a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acids, ceramides and lipids. Hyaluronic acid binds to water and acts as our skin natural hydrator. Ceramides and lipids sit between skin cells in the outermost layer, the stratum corneum, seal in fluid and keep the barrier strong.
In my 20s and 30s, I cared little for moisturizer. Now, I see the difference when I forget to apply my moisturizer. For convenience, our LaFace Essentials Revolume Plus contains hyaluronic acid as main ingredient for hydration, as well as vitamin C and E, ferulic acid, and peptides. It is an all-in-one hydrator, sun protector and aging treatment.
In addition to topical hyaluronic acid, Allergan (the maker of Botox) has come out with SkinVive, a hyaluronic acid gel injected in multiple micro-aliquots to the dermis of the cheeks. SkinVive, therefore, hydrates the skin from the inside and gives the skin a youthful plump and glow that last for about four months. Like Botox, SkinVive should be injected quarterly.
Whether the sun shines or not, I always recommend sunscreen. While the sun may not be felt during the winter, UV, especially UVA, penetrates clouds (even windows glasses), reaches our skin and contribute to premature aging. Of interest for those who live in snowy places, snow amplifies UV exposure by reflecting 80% or more of UV ray off its surface; so you are being hit with UV from above and below. This explains my observation of severe wrinkling and laxity in those who live in snow intense places in comparison to others of same age and ethnicity elsewhere.
Lastly, it is important to keep hydrated with fluid intake. This is so easy to say, but harder to achieve (at least for yours truly.) I am lucky if I drink one or two glasses of liquid a day. I know I am well hydrated if my urine is pale yellow, but more often than not, it is amber.
Between Morpheus8, SkinVive, and daily regimen with LaFace Essentials Glyco10, T+S Retexturizer, Revolume Plus, and Sunscreen, I receive more compliments for my skin now than in my younger years—to the point, where I longer feel the need to wear foundation.
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