Tips to Successfully Navigate Post-Shower Skincare Tips This Fall
Multiple showers in a day may leave skin feeling itchy and dry. Those who live in humid parts of the nation often plan multiple rise-offs during an extremely muggy day. Although showers may not include soap and hair washing, the water does rinse off the skin’s natural oils, but sometimes it is necessary to get some of the day’s dirt and sweat off.
Why Multiple Showers Make Skin Itchy
Although taking cooler-temperature showers can be less stressful on the skin than scorching hot ones, rinsing in water will remove the skin’s oils. Cleansing products for the body and hair strip away more of the skin’s natural oils, as dirt and grime also rinse off.
One of the most common ways to avoid dry and itchy skin post-shower is to use an oil or lotion while the skin is moist. This approach can often give relief to uncomfortably dry and itchy skin. Those with sensitive skin should pay attention to ingredients in after-shower skin products to ensure using them multiple times a day won’t cause reactions. Skincare products are also expensive, so using them repeatedly in one day can add up. It is best to find an adorable product that is easy to replace as the supply gets low.
As with most things, skin adapts to added oils, so if you regularly use moisture products post-shower, your skin will feel it if you skip them.
Extreme Weather is the Skin’s Foe
Whether extremely hot, humid, or cold as we approach the winter, extreme weather takes a toll on everybody’s skin. Balanced, sensitive, oily, or dry, everybody adjusts their skincare routines in extreme weather seasons. Atlanta experiences hot and humid summers and snow-covered street winters that dry skin out just the same.
How Heat Dries Out the Skin
Hot weather, whether dry or humid, can cause rashes and patches of dryness on the skin. Heat rashes are common for those who wear tight clothing and spend extended time outdoors. One of the most dangerous things about hot weather is the harmful damage caused by UV rays to the skin’s cells. It is critical that everyone, regardless of skin tone, applies daily sunscreen. Individuals who spend more time outdoors should invest in sunscreen products to re-apply throughout the day. Sun exposure can cause skin cancer, accelerated signs of aging, and long-term cell damage.
Freezing Winter is Harsh on Skin
States that experience the extreme colds that come with winter understand first-hand the damage that cold weather can do to the skin.
Cold weather dehydrates the skin, leaving it dry and itchy. In addition, people wear warm, woolly clothing to stay warm when exposed to the elements, and their skin gets cold and dry and trapped inside warm materials that can further irritate it. Indoor heating is also known to dry skin so that cold weather can be worse for skin in many cases than hot and humid weather.
Post Shower Skincare for Darker Tones Can Minimize Ashy Skin
Those with darker skin tones experience visible signs of dryness, as their skin turns ashy or gray when extremely dry. Dermatologists specializing in darker skin tones can provide helpful treatments and solutions to chronic ashy skin. Dr. Sherrie Straughn of Buckhead Dermatology is licensed and an active member of the Skin of Color Society, giving her access to information and training to help her audience in Atlanta, Georgia. She is one of the top-rated dermatologists, serving the Atlanta area for more than 25 years.
How to Reduce Post-Shower Dryness in Hot and Cold Weather
Several simple things can help minimize the harsh effects of hot and cold weather on the skin. After showering, whether using soap or not, try to get some moisture back into the skin before it is completely dry. Instead of rubbing towels on newly moisturized skin, dab off excess moisture and allow the skin to retain as much as possible.
Avoid rough materials, like wool, directly on the skin. Wool is incredible at keeping you warm but can easily irritate skin and make it itchy.
Although many parts of the nation are still experiencing those scorching hot days, fall is around the corner, and planning for post-shower skincare can help individuals stay ahead of the ball to keep skin moist and hydrated throughout the fall and winter. Always wear sunscreen, even on those cloudy and winter days. The sun’s UV rays can cause damage even when you can’t feel the sun on your face.
Whatever skincare questions you have or if you are concerned about a skin condition, Dr. Straughn is discreet and professional. Contact her offices today for an appointment.