02 Feb Why These 3 Skin Conditions are Worse in Winter
Acne, rosacea, and melasma have a few things in common—including the fact that they are often worse during winter. RefinedMD has options to treat all three of these stubborn conditions. Although these three issues are technically dermatological skin condition, it’s also important to remember that they are a cosmetic concern, too. Instead of covering up a real, diagnosable skin condition, treat it or its symptoms in ways that really matter. If you’ve noticed that one or more of these conditions have been acting up in recent weeks, you have the dryer, cooler weather to blame—and here’s what you can do about it.
Treating Acne
Acne is such a common skin condition that a lot of people don’t even consider it a “real” condition (even though it is!). There are many types of acne, and the more severe variety can cause permanent scarring. There are also many myths about acne that persist, like eating chocolate causes acne. It’s true that a healthy diet is necessary for healthy organs (and your skin is an organ), but the occasional chocolate bar isn’t going to destroy your complexion. Instead, environmental factors are much likelier to play a role.
Winter months can often lead to a change in skin care treatments. If you apply more topicals in winter months in order to battle dry skin, be careful of what those topicals are comprised of and how you layer. Blocking your skin with subpar products or those with ingredients that can cause breakouts (like some types of oils) is a leading cause of acne. Instead, work with a skin care expert to get matched with medical-grade products that are suitable for your skin during this season. The wrong product(s) can wreak havoc year-round, but in the season where everyone thinks thicker is better, it’s time to upgrade.
And if you have old acne scars that aren’t disappearing? We’ve got the answer for that, too. Chemical peels, lasers, and microneedling are three of the best treatments to vanquish old scars. There’s no need to live with the shadows of acne past. Plus, winter is the perfect time for lasers and peels because the sun isn’t as strong, which means recovery is a little easier.
Rosacea Treatments
There is no cure for rosacea, but there are treatments. Cooler weather can trigger a rosacea outbreak, so if you’ve headed to the mountains or otherwise experienced a shift in weather in recent months, you can blame that on your rosacea. Everyone has unique triggers, but common ones also include alcohol and especially red wine. If you’ve been curling up by the fire (dry heat is another trigger!) with that mulled wine, you might be asking for a flare-up. This doesn’t mean you have to avoid all your triggers all the time, though.
We can treat the symptoms/flare-ups of rosacea so you can achieve an appropriate rosy glow this winter. Once again, it’s often lasers to the rescue. Lasers have the ability to restrict the blood vessels that are causing that flush. Of course, it’s also a good idea to avoid triggers when you can, but strike a balance between trigger avoidance and enjoying life.
Melasma Got You Down?
Melasma is the most stubborn type of hyperpigmentation. Winter months don’t exacerbate it, but it might be more noticeable during these months. If you usually have a summer tan (watch out, as UV rays can trigger melasma!), then fairer skin in winter months can highlight melasma. There are various causes of this disorder, and while it usually goes away on its own after a few months, why not get it in check now? Lasers are once again the most common gold standard for reducing signs of melasma. Of course, avoiding the sun even in the winter months can also help. Just because it’s cloudy outside doesn’t mean UV rays aren’t doing damage and maybe causing your melasma or rosacea to flare-up.
Many medical skin conditions are also cosmetic conditions, and we have the expertise and capacity to treat your skin in a holistic manner. With over 3,000 named skin conditions, there’s a good chance you’re struggling with at least a few of them. From acne to melasma and everything in between, if your skin isn’t gorgeous, it’s telling you something is amiss. Let’s work together to achieve beautiful skin in 2022. Connect with RefinedMD today by calling the office or completing the online form.