Fall and Winter Skin Care

Redlands Daily Facts Health Section
Staff Writer

Q:Does my skin need different care in the cold months than in the warm months?

Mimi:Absolutely. All summer you exposed your skin to sun, chlorine, and saltwater. Now get ready, fall is here. You want to buff off the old and pamper the new.

Dry, lifeless, over-exposed skin needs waking up. First start with a total body buffing. A papaya or mango solution has natural enzymes to "eat up" dead cells. And sea salt will buff away the hard, dry skin. Pay special attention to elbows, knees, and feet. A glorious treat is to have the exfoliating treatment done at a day spa that has a Vichy shower to wash away the product. You will lie comfortably on a massage table while five showerheads in the ceiling deluge you with warm water. It is an indescribable sensation.

Other skin smoothing treatments include seaweed/algae or mud body masques to detoxify and re-mineralize the body. These relaxing sessions end with a Vichy shower. Then you are ready for a total body rub down with a gloriously scented lotion.

Your esthetician (facialist) can instruct you in post-summer skin care. She will recommend Alpha Hydroxy Acids, which are gentle but effective. They loosen the "glue" that holds the top layer of dead skin together. This allows the skin to exfoliate gently and naturally. There is no itching, visible peeling, irritation, redness or photosensitivity. After only two weeks, your skin will begin to look more alive, clearer, and smoother. In the ensuing months fine lines will disappear and the appearance of wrinkles will soften. As your skin becomes more refined, sun damage and age spots will lighten.

Treat your sandal exposed, neglected feet to a Pumpkin foot exfoliation treatment or paraffin dip. The paraffin is great on your hands also. This is a procedure borrowed from physical therapy where it is used to relieve arthritis pain. Special moisturizes are added to the paraffin to hydrate and soften your hands and feet.

Even though you don't sun bathe in the winter, always, absolutely always, every day without excuse, use sun block, even if you think that you won't be in the sun. Apply it at least 30 minutes before leaving the house. Be sure to apply it to your neck, chest, and forearms as well as your face. Men should apply sunscreen also to the back of the neck, top of the ears and head if these areas are not protected by hair.

You love your tan. Don't despair; help is available. You can still have the California glow without the damage. For your face, use bronzing makeup. Have your makeup artist teach you how. On your body use a sunless self-tanning cream.

There are tricks to obtaining a natural looking, long lasting tan with self-tanning cream. Since only the very top layer of skin is affected by these creams, dead skin needs to be removed first. Waxing your legs is the best preparation. Then scrub well with a loofah or body brush in the shower. A Body Buffing Treatment by your massage therapist primes the skin beautifully and leaves you feeling rosy and relaxed. At home use a skin sloughing or body buffing gel in the shower to exfoliate the dead skin. Your elbows, wrists, feet, ankles, and knees are drier than the rest of your body and can absorb more tanning cream. To avoid a darker tan in these rough areas, apply a concentrated moisture cream to these spots before applying the self-tanning lotion. Apply the tanning cream evenly, sparsely, and smoothly. For richer color reapply daily. IMPORTANT NOTICE: wash your hands well with soap immediately after using the cream so you won't have tanned palms, or wear thin latex gloves when applying the cream.

With a nip in the air, we know that it's time to bundle up. Being outside in the cold takes its toll on your skin. Protect against Transdermal Water Loss. Sitting by the fireplace, being in overheated rooms, and enjoying outside activities like gardening or skiing can suck the life right out of your skin.

Every morning after cleansing, while the skin is still damp, apply an active treatment, then a moisturizer. Even if you have oily skin, you need to moisturize. Try a light, oil free one.

At night, cleanse, treat, and apply a nighttime moisturizer to soothe and to repair the damage inflicted during the day.

If you will be out in the harsh weather skiing, wash your face, and while it is still damp apply a good coat of moisturizing SPF 30 cream. Use an eye cream with an SPF also. Then smear on a thick, occlusive barrier like Vaseline, Aquaphor, or even Crisco. Wash off at night with warm water, suddsing twice-once to remove the barrier and again to clean the pores.

Hands deserve extra care. At night, wash with warm water, then massage in a rich, emollient cream. Slip on nighttime gloves or old socks, and go to bed. This is also a super treat for feet that survived the summer in sandals.

The most important care to give your skin during the fall and winter is to moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize.

Mimi Barre is the owner of International Day Spa, 325 Cajon St., Redlands. Send your skin care questions to her at MimiB@INTLdayspa.com. She and her estheticians are available for personal consultations, (909) 793-9080.