If you’re reading this article on the bright January day it was posted, you know that it is FRIGID outside—a frozen hell-scape may actually be a better way to describe it 🥶  We know winters are tough in Canada. The cold temperatures, whipping winds and short daylight hours take their toll both physically and psychologically. And of course, winter really takes a toll on our skin.

There are a real array of skin issues we notice in the winter. If you’re prone to rosacea, acne, or eczema you might notice these conditions get worse in the winter. Your skin may also look dull, start to flake, and become more sensitive and delicate than usual. There are a whole host of factors at play here.

For some individuals, the harsh temperatures cause increased sensitivity, but the majority of skin issues we see in winter have to do with decreased humidity in the environment. Electric and central heating can make this problem worse, as they pump dry air into our indoor spaces. Taking hot baths and showers or hanging out in a sauna sure feel good in the winter, but these things too can dry out the skin even further.

Here are some lifestyle hacks to mitigate all this moisture loss and keep your skin feeling better throughout the winter:

  • Avoid taking long hot showers. I know this one sucks, but your skin will thank you as hot water sucks moisture from your skin.
  • If you have electric or central heating, consider purchasing a humidifier and placing it in the room you spend the most amount of time in per day—either your home office or bedroom. If you have radiant heat then you probably don’t need an additional humidifier.
  • Keep a high quality hand cream at your desk and in your purse or briefcase so you can apply throughout the day. Frequent hand washing and hand sanitizer application can create some intense dryness in the hands. We recommend Miracle 10’s Hand Repair.
  • Cover up! When it’s super cold out, make sure to put on your gloves and a scarf that covers your face (or wear your mask!) before you step outside. This will ensure your skin is protected right from the get go.

If you’re looking for treatments and products to use in the winter, here’s what our team of experts recommend:

  • Microneedling with Hyaluronic Acid is a great option to help with dehydrated skin. It will also help to improve skin texture, tone, and melasma.
  • Mini lip plump – some individuals notice that their lips become exceptionally dry in the winter. A small amount of hyaluronic acid can be injected to help improve hydration in the winter months.
  • Peel Treatments – regular peel treatments spaced one month apart can help keep your skin regulated and improve cell turnover so that it looks less dull.
  • Botanical Oil Concentrate, Rich Moisture, Enzyme and Mask are some of our favourite skincare products for battling winter’s harsh effects on the skin.

Winter’s not all doom and gloom. It can actually be a great time to get certain treatments that are less well suited to the summer months.

  • CoolSculpting – because there’s some swelling associated with this treatment many patients opt to get it done in the winter when we’re less exposed.
  • Laser Hair Removal – we can’t perform this treatment if you are tanned or plan to be super exposed to the sun. Get it done in the winter so you’re ready to bare those legs at the first sign of spring.
  • IPL – just like laser hair removal, we can’t do this if you’ve been in the sun two weeks before your treatment or plan to be two weeks post. IPL zaps brown and red spots and creates more even tone. We love it between January and April.

Got questions about your skin or the treatments we offer? Drop us a line by phone, e-mail or on our instagram page @themdbeautyclinic and we’d be more than happy to help out.