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Chesterbrook, PA

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11 Secrets to Heal Dry Skin This Spring 

Introduction

If you’re one of the many people who struggle with dry skin, whether it is chronic or sporadic, controlling your symptoms may be cause for distress. The good news is that there are a variety of ways to heal dry skin and achieve an exterior free of irritation, redness, bumps and itching. Whether your dry skin is caused by the weather, genetics, or an underlying health condition, we have the solution for you at Bryn Mawr Dermatology.

While this article spells out some important information about dry skin, and we highly recommend you read the full article, here are the key points we will focus on:

Table of Contents

Dry Skin

Common Causes of Dry Skin

The lack of moisture in your skin can be due to many reasons. Here are the most common causes that lead to dry skin.

  • Cold or dry weather: The dry winter air can strip moisture from your skin. This is why you may find that your skin is dryer in the winter months.
  • Hot showers or baths: While it feels good to take a hot shower, it can actually dry out your skin. The same goes for hot tubs and saunas.
  • Heat, either weather or a heating source: Just like cold weather, dry heat can also strip moisture from your skin. 
  • Overwashing: Washing your skin too much can dry it out. This is especially true if you use harsh soaps or scrub too hard when you wash.
  • Choosing the wrong products: If you have dry skin, it’s important to use products that will hydrate your skin, not dry it out further. 
  • Aging: As you age, your skin produces less oil, and loses the ability to retain moisture, which can lead to dryness.
  • Diseases or conditions: Some health conditions can lead to dry skin. These include diabetes, thyroid problems, psoriasis, and eczema.

11 Tips to Heal Dry Skin

At Bryn Mawr Dermatology, we are here to help you reduce dry skin and achieve a radiant glowing complexion. Keep reading for 11 tips to achieve glowing skin.

1. Increase Your Water Intake

When skin is dry, it can feel tight, dry, and flaky. You may also notice that fine lines and wrinkles are more pronounced. To help keep your skin healthy and hydrated, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water each day. The importance of water for your skin cannot be overlooked. It helps support your skin’s natural elasticity and moisture levels.

2. Use a Humidifier

If the air in your home or office is dry, using a humidifier can help. Your skin prefers rooms with a moisture content of 30-50%. By using a humidifier, you can help increase the moisture in the air and prevent your skin from drying out.

3. Moisturize Dry Skin With BMD's Fortified Moisturizer

BMD Fortified Moisturizer is fortified with yucca glauca root extract, ceramides, vitamins A,C, E, and nourishing antioxidants to deliver smoother, softer skin. Apply it to your face and neck once or twice a day for the best results.

4. Avoid Hot Showers and Baths

Hot water can dry and irritate your skin, so it’s best to stick to lukewarm water when showering or bathing. Not only will this help prevent dry skin, but it can also help save you money on your energy bill.

5. Hydrate With BMD's Hydro Peptide Gel

Like a drink of water for your face, BMD’s Hydro Peptide Gel enhances skin moisture and reduces the signs of photo-aging. It firms the skin using natural peptides and stimulating collagen growth. It is appropriate alone for oily skin or under additional moisturizers.

6. Gently Pat Your Skin Dry Post-Shower

After you shower or bathe, gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel instead of vigorously rubbing it. This abrasive action can cause micro-damage to your skin, which can result in irritation and dryness.

7. Moisturize Head to Toe After You Shower

After you shower your skin is at its most hydrated, but it is also at its most vulnerable because while you are washing off dirt and oil you are also washing away your natural skin barrier that serves as vital protection from the environment. To ensure that your skin stays protected we suggest applying a hearty moisturizer to your limbs and torso just after cleansing in order to trap in hydration. EltaMD Moisture-Rich Body Crème is a great way to infuse skin with long-lasting moisture and essential nutrients. It is luxuriously thick without being greasy and is the ideal daily moisturizer to help achieve and maintain healthy-looking skin.

8. Block Ultraviolet (UV) Rays

One of the best ways to prevent dry skin is to protect it from the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin and lead to dryness. Be sure to apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day, even on cloudy days, and don’t forget to reapply sunscreen throughout the day.

9. Swap Abrasive Exfoliants for Gentle Products

If you’re using harsh exfoliants (especially physical exfoliants that have a grit to them), they could be causing dryness and irritation. To help avoid this, you should opt for products that exclude alcohol, added fragrances and dyes, and include only low doses of mild chemical exfoliants (like Salycilic or Lactic Acid). Just because a product states that it is for “sensitive” or “dry” skin does not automatically make a good option; check out ingredients before you commit. Our favorite gentle skin cleanser is BMD’s Soothing Foamy Cleanser, which is designed especially for patients suffering with chronic inflammation, rosacea and very irritable skin.

10. Protect Post-Procedure Skin With BMD UltraLux B3

Struggling with thirsty skin? This facial moisturizer has a triple-threat of ingredients that hydrate and create a protective barrier to seal in water. It was designed especially for patients who have undergone minorly invasive procedures, such as microneedling or laser treatments, because its ingredients are non-irritating and protect healing skin from the outside environment. After much sampling, it has become a staff-favorite to help with every-day dryness because of its luxurious texture and ability to add and retain hydration. Patients of all ages and skin types choose BMD UltraLux B3 to combat dry, tight, irritated skin as it is the perfect answer to the environment’s assault on our largest organ.

11. Visit a Dermatologist

At Bryn Mawr Dermatology, we diagnose and treat all conditions that affect one’s skin, hair, and nails, and offer superior skincare products and minimally invasive cosmetic enhancements.

Procedures at Bryn Mawr Dermatology for Glowing Skin

At Bryn Mawr, we offer aesthetic treatments that help to improve the appearance of dry, flaking skin. Some peels and facials help remove the dead layer of the skin to unveil fresh beautiful skin and Laser Genesis is a great, no-down-time-required procedure that instantly floods the skin with healthy hydration and nutrients. Additionally, there are medical treatments to combat the symptoms of Eczema and Psoriasis and counseling we can provide to help prevent flares.

1. The Perfect Peel

Use the combination of powerful ingredients including TCA, Kojic Acid, Retinoic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Phenol, Vitamin C to chemically exfoliate dead skin cells and reveal glowing skin beneath. Discuss your aftercare with one of our aestheticians so you can protect this new skin and ensure the renewal of your sensitive skin barrier. The treatment is customizable and safe for all skin types and ethnicities.

2. Laser Genesis

We all want skin that radiates with health and is delivered with no down-time or side effects. The only procedure that ticks all these boxes is Laser Genesis: a device that uses controlled heat to invigorate the soft tissues underneath the skin, including the tiny vessels that feed your collagen and elastin called capillaries. By stimulating blood flow this procedure draws water to the surface of the skin and enhances the appearance of hydration. This effect will last 48-72 hours, resulting in skin that is plump, radiant and smooth. To develop and retain more permanent results this unique technology needs to be repeated in a series of five treatments, each two weeks apart.

3. Medical Treatments for Conditions Causing Dry Skin

Diagnoses like Eczema and Psoriasis need to come from a certified medical practitioner, as do the recommended treatments to help control the symptoms of these conditions. If you are struggling with extremely dry, irritated, or flaking skin, our medical skin specialists will be able to identify your skin ailment and offer you prescription therapies to help reduce your symptoms. They may also be able to help you define what contributes to your flares and counsel you on how to avoid those triggers. A simple skin care regimen designed for sensitive skin can often be the answer to prevent dry skin from becoming a chronic problem.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Since dry skin can vary from person to person, we recommend coming into our office so that one of our professionals can provide a personalized course of treatment. The timeline depends on the treatment that is the best fit per patient.

Visit Our Shopify for Dermatologist-Vetted Skin Care Products

Now that you know how to get heal dry skin , it’s time to start taking care of your skin! At Bryn Mawr Dermatology, we offer a wide range of dermatologist-vetted skin care products that can help improve your skin’s appearance. Visit our Shopify today to shop for all your skincare needs!

Schedule an Appointment with Bryn Mawr Dermatology Today

If you have a question about skincare, please schedule a consultation. During your consultation, our skilled dermatologists will evaluate your concerns and determine an ideal treatment plan for your specific case. Our Bryn Mawr office is beautifully equipped, so you’ll feel at home as soon as you walk in the door. Get started today by calling our dermatology team at (610) 525-7800. We look forward to caring for you!

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Bryn Mawr Dermatology

Content Review Committee at Bryn Mawr Dermatology

Led by Board Certified Dermatologist, Christine Stanko, MD, FAAD, Bryn Mawr Dermatology incorporates a patient-focused outlook in every decision since we first opened our doors on the Main Line in 2005.
Learn More

By: Bryn Mawr Dermatology, Published: Apr 28, 2022
Medically Reviewed By: Christine Stanko, MD, FAAD – June 25, 2024

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