How Seasonal Changes Affect Skin Health throughout the Year

Watching through my office window, people are rushing by- in and out of office and shop doors. Cars zoom past. There’s a rapid transition in the weather, as well.  Fall has arrived! As bitterly cold winds come to bite at commuters traveling to work, many of them begin to suffer from skin irritations and a change in skin texture.

As colder weather moves in, construction workers and engineers garb themselves in heavy coats and warm gloves while working on project sites. Doctors and nurses tighten up on infection control practices in hospitals.

When it gets close to a seasonal change, I make myself a list:

• Extra tissues- check;
• Hand and skin cream- check;
• Lip gloss- check;
• A bottle of water to avoid dehydration-great in the summer and winter!

The big question is: how do seasonal changes affect skin health? And what are the best tips to take care of your skin?

Let’s start with how fall and winter impact our skin.

As the seasons change, the skin, which is the largest organ of the integumentary system, needs to adjust. As we get closer to winter temperatures and humidity drops quickly; skin needs to work harder to maintain hydration.  Lifestyle changes such as taking hot showers and central heating also affect the skin.

Tips to take care of your skin in the winter

Skin forms the barrier that keeps water in the body.  In cold or dry weather, water evaporates off the surface of the skin faster and easier. Dr. Angela Lamb, Director of the Westside Mount Sinai Dermatology Faculty Practice in New York City, advises using a humidifier and recommends drinking two additional glasses of water every day during the winter months.

Going out with damp skin is the easiest thing to do, but not the brightest idea. It is common sense not to go out in the cold with wet skin. Cold weather causes the skin to chap much more often. Many of us spend all day in offices and have dry skin. The solution is to: 

• Keep hydrated; minimize the air conditioning!

Sitting under an air conditioner is not the best idea if you want healthy skin. Air conditioning produces low humidity leading to dry skin. Keeping hydrated by drinking lots of water helps to avoid this problem. Many office workers don’t drink enough water explaining why they get rashes and blemishes.

• Effectively Managing Stress

Effectively managing stress levels at work also contributes to skin health. Uncontrolled stress levels increase your skin’s sensitivity and can cause skin problems. To be effective in your role, you need a healthy mindset. The Mayo Clinic recommends setting achievable goals and scaling down on your To-do lists. Why not make time for outdoor recreation that you enjoy?

The results may exceed your expectations!

What about those of us that work outside like construction workers?

Construction workers spend a large part of the day in the sun. Even in overcast conditions, 80% of the sun’s rays go through the clouds. UV rays also reflect off sand, concrete or light colored surfaces making it difficult for outdoor workers to avoid exposure.  Not taking the proper precautions like wearing suitable clothing results in poor skin health.

Taking care of your skin is a year around activity in winter and through summer. The American Academy of Dermatology gives sound advice on how to take care of skin in the heat of summer or on overcast wintery days.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends

• In winter, wear long sleeve shirts and pants. In the summer, be sure to wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• On hot days with an SPF of 30+, make sure to put on plenty of sunscreen.
• If you see anything unusual on your skin like a mole or skin rash- see a dermatologist!

Innovations in skin care are consistently being introduced and adopted by dermatologists and medical professionals. Here are just a few examples below:

The Latest Innovations in Skin Health

The Electric Skin

• A student research team, from the University of Colorado –Boulder, have developed a device called electric skin. When applied to the skin it can heal the skin when it is damaged and is recyclable.

The VisualDX + Derm Expert App

• When someone notices an unusual rash on their skin, they will usually see a physician. However, physicians lack dermatologists’ expertise to make the correct diagnosis. The VisualDX and Derm App guides physicians in making a correct diagnosis. First, the clinician takes a photo. Information is processed. Then, diagnoses are fed back with links to information on the symptoms.

FLUXMEDICARE: a great alternative to skin light therapy

• Light therapy is used to treat a number of skin ailments such as acne, psoriasis, and keratosis. However, light therapy can be painful and ineffective when treated with Modern Light Blankets. FLUXMEDICARE provides a great alternative. First a photosensitizer cream is applied. Then FLUXMEDICARE is wrapped around the skin. A light is then used to generate a reaction between oxygen in the air and the cream. Patients have reported lower levels of pain using this device.

Skin Health Awareness: The Take Away

Whether you work in an office our outside, the change of seasons affects skin health. The best advice is to keep hydrated throughout the day. It is easy to do. Just by adding the recommended two glasses of water, you are helping your skin health. Your skin is affected by your mental and physical health so effectively managing stress and getting enough physical exercise definitely helps. Among today’s biggest challenges is finding a perfect recipe for a balanced life.  However, there is no reason why all of us can’t work towards this goal.

At Shepherd Search Group we provide executive recruiting services all season round including at every level of leadership and staff in healthcare, dermatology, and medical equipment sales. To find out more please contact us at www.ShepherdSearchGroup.com.

By: Jonathan Gordon