Dry Skin Care

Dry skin is common and as it loses moisture, it "cracks"

The inherited form of dry skin is known as ICHTYOSIS Dermatologists often call dry skin in later life as XEROSIS or ASTEATOSIS

--Dry skin looks dry, sometimes flakes, and often feels tight, especially if you have washed it with soap and water.

Sometimes it is lacking some of the protective sebum and so it reacts to very hot and very cold weather by tightening up.

--Dry skin most often occurs on the shins, hands and sides of the abdomen.

--It is more common during the winter months, when humidity is low. Some people also have a genetic, or hereditary, tendency to develop dry skin

In addition, elderly people tend to have more trouble with dry skin due to the natural changes in skin that occur with age.

--One of the best and most effective things you can do to help dry skin is to "MOISTURIZE" your dry skin.

--Moisturizers are a very important part of dermatology since keeping the skin moist is one of the key factors in healthy skin.

--Most moisturizers available are composed of some formulation of oil and water, with added ingredients that may or may not help to combat dry skin. However, moisturizers are only capable of keeping moisture from escaping out of the skin, not putting moisture back into the skin

--Dry skin care' starts with moisturisers, the most effective remedy for dry skin. Generally moisturisers are classified under 2 categories based on the way they provide.

1) The first category includes moisturisers that provide is just by preserving the moisture within the skin e.g. Vaseline. 2) The second category includes moisturisers that work by drawing moisture from the environment and supplying it to the skin.

This is a very effective way in humid conditions. The moisturisers that provide in this way are also called "Humectants"

-- For proper care, you must use a non-greasy type of moisturiser, as far as possible. Humectants fall in this category. The ingredients of humectants include propylene glycol, urea, glycerine, hyaluronic acid etc

--Do not over-indulge in sunbathing. --Excessive exposure to sun rays can cause 1) dry skin, 2) wrinkles and 3) skin cancer.

--All areas that are exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, hands, and back of the neck should have a moisturizer

containing sun block or a sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater applied daily.

--"As much as possible, stay out of the sun."

--The sun is responsible for most of the damage done to the skin. It causes 1)dryness, 2)wrinkles, and 3)even rashes and blisters.

--Always apply a good sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin if you must be in the sun.

--Chapped and irritated dry skin on the hands is a common problem for people with dry skin.

--Try rubber gloves to protect them from hot water and detergents. If you are allergy-prone, wear a cotton pair underneath. --You could develop "contact "dermatitis" from the rubber in the gloves. Wear PVC waterproof gloves to avoid contact with

detergents and other household irritants, or wear thin cotton gloves underneath waterproof gloves.

--Do not wear the gloves for long periods of time. Cotton gloves are useful for dirty work. Wash cotton gloves frequently. --Avoid using fabric softeners, especially in the dryer. Keep irritating fabrics away from your skin. Don't wear clothing

made of wool or other "scratchy" fabrics. Use cotton percale sheets on your bed.

--It is also about being gentle with your skin. You should avoid harsh detergents and alcohol based cleansers. Also, after a

face wash, do not rub your towel on your face, just pat gently to soak the water off.

On the whole, caring for your dry skin is really simple for anyone who takes that seriously.