Tag Archives: winter

Why Are Humectants So Important in Skin Care?

Blog, Cosmetic Treatments, Dermal Fillers, ,

Our skin is constantly in contact with the environment, so it’s affected not just by sun exposure, but also by all kinds of changes in weather and climate. Once “sweater weather” arrives in Albuquerque, our skin tends to become drier and duller, thanks to increased exposure to central heating and colder, less humid air. One of the best things we can do to maintain healthy, clear skin during these seasonal changes is adjust our skincare routine accordingly. One of the essentials everyone needs in the cooler months is a good face and body moisturizer to stave off parched, irritated skin—especially if you have a naturally dry or sensitive skin type. Chances are good that if you’ve ever looked up skin care ingredients, you may have seen the term “humectants” thrown around. What you might be asking yourself is what exactly do they do and why are they an essential part of your skin care routine? Hyaluronic acid, the same ingredient found in most of the popular facial fillers at our Albuquerque, NM-based practice, is a humectant. Here are some things you should know about the benefits of adding humectants to your skincare regime. 

Humectants Draw in Hydration

Humectants are hydrophilic, meaning that they’re attracted to water molecules. These substances act like magnets to attract moisture to the outermost layer of skin, called the stratum corneum. The water might be drawn from the deeper, middle layers of skin or from the surrounding environment. 

Humectants Are Mostly Used for Moisturizing

These water-loving ingredients are most typically found in moisturizing products for the face and body, such as creams, lotions, and serums, along with shampoos and other beauty products. 

Not All Humectants Are the Same 

Some of the most common examples of humectants used in skin care include glycerin or glycerol, hyaluronic acid (as noted above), urea, sorbitol, alpha-hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, aloe vera, and honey. Some types of humectants simply hydrate, while others remove dead skin cells to regulate moisture levels. 

Want plumper, less wrinkled-looking skin and enhanced facial contours? Call us at 505-855-9267 or submit a contact form to request a consultation if you’re curious about the benefits of aesthetic treatments. Find out more about products and services from The Spa @ Western Dermatology Consultants.

How Does the Holiday Season Affect Our Skin?

Cosmetic Treatments, Microdermabrasion, ,

Even if you’re not exposed to freezing temperatures, snow, and wind, winter festivities can put your skin through the wringer so that by the time the New Year comes around, you’re having to deal with the terrible effects of a post-holiday complexion. Between getting together with friends and family, indulging in rich holiday foods, and perhaps going on an exotic vacation, we often let our healthy habits fall to the wayside when we get busy. This makes acne breakouts, irritation, and dry, dull skin more likely. A lack of quality beauty sleep deprives our skin of its chance to repair itself, all of the sweet treats cause inflammation to spike, stress harms our skin barrier, too much alcohol produces free radicals that break down skin fibers, and our normal skin care routine may get put on the backburner when things get hectic. At Western Dermatology Consultants, we provide a range of cosmetic treatments—including lasers and microdermabrasion—for Albuquerque patients to revive their skin by removing the buildup of dull and damaged skin cells that block the surface. 

Along with in-office procedures to restore more vibrant, healthier skin, we recommend that patients follow these tips for helping their skin survive the holiday stress. 

Avoid Certain Holiday Foods

Some high-glycemic and processed foods are believed to be linked to skin breakouts. Eggnog is something you’ll need to avoid because it contains plenty of inflammation-inducing saturated fats along with alcohol that will dry out your skin. Sugar cookies can also be detrimental for your complexion because of all the white sugar and white flour they contain. Trade in eggnog for water or hot chocolate or have a slice of antioxidant-rich pumpkin pie instead of cookies. 

Be Consistent 

Consistency is the key to healthy skin, so remember to follow the same skin routine—including wearing sunscreen—throughout the colder months. 

Don’t Sleep with Makeup On 

You’re likely to be wearing more makeup for holiday parties, but even if you feel too exhausted to remove it before bed, make a habit of at least using micellar water to cleanse your skin. Forgetting to take off your makeup results in blocked pores and bacteria. 

Explore options for cosmetic skin resurfacing procedures like microdermabrasion from Albuquerque, NM’s The Spa @ Western Dermatology Consultants. Call 505-855-9267 or submit a contact form to schedule a consultation if you need advice on skin care. 

What Condition Is Your Skin In This Season?

Cosmetic Treatments, Medical Dermatology, ,

It’s winter in Albuquerque. Our board-certified dermatologists see a wide range of both cosmetic and medical conditions during this time, which may surprise some people. The darker season is known for cooler and often wetter weather—not something that would seem to be associated with dry skin. Unfortunately, winter conditions are ideal for drying out our protective layer, leading to a range of problems.

This is because despite the occasional rain, humidity actually drops in the winter—both indoors and out. Dry air leads to dry skin.

Winter is also the time when many people notice the effects of their sun-worshiping summer. Maybe a string of days at the pool contributed to the cumulative damage that causes wrinkles to form, spots to develop, and increases the risk of skin cancer. Ultraviolet radiation can wreak havoc on sensitive cells, causing everything from mutations that form tumors to the hastened breakdown of vital collagen, elastin, and more in the skin.

No matter the problem—or the condition of your skin—Western Dermatology Consultants is here to help. With fair-weather days a fond memory or distant hope, our team can assess the current state of your skin and make recommendations for treatments, procedures, and at-home regimens to promote both beauty and health.

Why not use the post-holiday lull to schedule a full-body exam to check for early signs of skin cancer? Or find out what you can finally do about that pesky cellulite that’s been bugging you for years? From dark circles you first noticed after a procession of parties throughout the holidays to a desire to altogether ditch the shaving you’ve been putting off (since you can get away with wearing pants instead of skirts or shorts), there is always something our dermatologists and their carefully selected and trained team can do to help.

Call Western Dermatology Consultants at 505-855-9267 or request a consultation online to arrange a visit and get started on some winter skin care.