How A Facial Helps Improve Your Skin During the Winter Months
The winter season is known for many different things–snow, hot chocolate, cozy blankets and hoodies, warm fireplaces, roasting marshmallows, and…dry, flaky skin. While the colder months have a lot of nice qualities associated with it, the harsh winds, lack of moisture in the air, drier weather and freezing temperatures are big factors which can affect your skin. First, we will get into the symptoms of dry skin during the winter time, the reasons why the weather causes these conditions, and the extra ways you can protect your skin. Next, we will explore the different types of facials and how they will help improve your skin during the chilly winter months.
The symptoms of dry skin during the winter time and what causes them
During the winter time, there are many different symptoms that can appear and damage the skin barrier as a result of dryness. These include flaking, rough patches, cracks to the skin, redness, itching, stinging, and a raw feeling when touching the skin. The severity of these symptoms can vary depending on someone’s skin type.
Why do these occur during this weather? According to Medical News Today, the skin barrier, also known as the epidermis, is a thin outer surface that is made up of lipids and dead skin cells which protect the body from harmful toxins. When this layer gets damaged, the skin will appear dry or irritated. The skin can experience a ton of damage from the winter for a few reasons. The season brings changes in humidity and temperature which creates the right conditions for causing dry skin, known as xerosis. There is not a ton of moisture in the air as opposed to during the spring and summer seasons, and there are fewer lipids in the skin barrier. People also have their heat on inside, which lessens humidity and strips the skin of any moisture. The combination of cold weather factors, such as icy winds and rain, also reduces humidity and moisture on the skin. Plus, when we are home, we look forward to bathing or showering to warm up from the freezing day, but using hot water can also damage your skin’s surface, thus leading to dryness. Harsh soaps can also damage the skin. All of these factors and the extent to which your skin is affected vary by skin type as well as other medical conditions, age, gender, or ethnicity.
Ways to protect your skin during the winter
Before we get into how a facial can help improve your skin, here are some daily methods:
Use a Humidifier - A humidifier is a device that is designed to increase the level of moisture in the air within an enclosed space. It emits water droplets or steam into the air so that it raises the humidity. Make sure to set it at a level that will be able to replenish the top layer of the epidermis.
Limit to Short and Lukewarm Showers or Baths - Try to limit yourself to one 5 to 10 minute bath or shower per day. Otherwise, you could risk stripping away your skin’s essential oils, thus causing it to lose moisture. Also, be sure to rinse or bathe using lukewarm water, as the hot water can also remove your natural oils.
Avoid Too Much Exfoliation - To reduce trauma to the skin, avoid bathing with sponges, scrub brushes, and washcloths. If you cannot give these up and want to keep using them, then touch your skin gently with these products instead. Be sure to pat or blot the skin as opposed to rubbing the skin.
Apply Moisturizer - Make sure to apply moisturizer right after bathing, showering, washing your face, and washing your hands. It is important to do this immediately after as this helps to lock in moisture between your skin cells while your skin is still damp.
Do Not Scratch - No matter how itchy the irritated spot is, do not scratch it. This will only make your skin drier, more cracked, and more red.
Use Sunscreen - This may seem odd as we apply sunscreen in the summer when the sun is at its strongest, but the sun is still out during the winter. Be sure to apply sunscreen even during the colder season in order to prevent aging effects. We will get into more detail on this below.
Why a facial is good for your skin especially during the colder winter weather
Receiving a facial anytime of the year is generally a good idea. They are designed to treat acne, rejuvenate your skin, exfoliate, provide a deep cleanse, prevent aging, eliminate whiteheads and blackheads, reduce stress, smoothen skin, give your face a nice glow, improve circulation, even skin tone, make you feel more relaxed, hydrate your skin, and thoroughly cleanse your pores. Specifically during the winter season, as our skin gets more dry, getting a facial will provide hydration, seal in key vitamins and antioxidants, and restore moisture, thus brightening our complexion. They will also increase the circulation in your face which will thus decrease fine lines and make you appear younger. Let us dive deeper into these benefits.
Restore moisture and hydrate your skin - With the combination of the frigid, cold air outside and the hot temperatures of your heater indoors, your skin loses a ton of moisture, which can leave it dried, cracked and flaky. Drinking water helps, but a facial will be able to restore your skin cells to make it feel soothed and fresh once again. A facial works because your esthetician uses moisturizers and serums that are designed to help your skin and meet its needs, whether it is dry or oily.
Give your skin a fresh reset - Scratching itchy and red skin, popping pimples, and breaking out can all cause damage to your skin and risk permanent scars or discoloration to the area. Our skin is especially sensitive during the winter time, so it is important to give it the proper care it needs to stay healthy. You should get a facial that will unclog and open your pores; by doing so, this can remove acne, blackheads, and any other impurities to your skin that will not cause any further harm to it. As a result, your face will feel fresher, healthier, rejuvenated, and younger.
Provide you with the vitamins and antioxidants your skin needs - Another benefit of receiving facial treatments is they seal in important vitamins and antioxidants to keep your skin protected from the harsh cold weather. They can also help reverse damage to our skin from the sun’s exposure as well as pollution. Plus, many antioxidants can help to reduce inflammation, stimulate growth of new skin cells, and improve cell circulation.
Brighten your complexion with an exfoliation treatment - During the winter time, your skin begins to collect a layer of dead skin cells, which in turn makes your skin appear dull. The reason that there are so many dead skin cells is because our skin cells typically turn over more slowly due to the change in cold temperatures. With this being said, you should opt for a facial that includes an exfoliation treatment during your spa visit in order to brighten your complexion and help even out any discoloration or pigmentation in your face.
Find the time to unwind, escape reality, and relax - Just because the winter time is associated with the holidays, getting cozy and staying indoors does not mean we are any less busy. Whether it is work, school, parenting or other daily responsibilities, we need a moment to unwind and take time for ourselves to rest and relax. Treating yourself to a facial would be a great way to do so, as it can give you something to look forward to and cheer you up when the weather gets dark, icy and chilly. Taking time for yourself is very important, as it makes you feel rejuvenated and will give you a much-needed reset for your tasks moving forward. You will also feel more confident and excited to take on the day.
Use sunscreen - As mentioned above, using sunscreen in the winter is just as important as using it during the summer time. Regardless of the temperature outside, whether it is hot or cold, the sun is still out and can cause damage to your skin. While the sun is not typically as bright during the colder months, it can still result in the development of melanomas and wrinkles in the skin over time. To assist with reversing some of the sun damage you may have been exposed to, receiving facials during the winter is very helpful. Also be sure to wear sunscreen everyday.
The different types of facials
As demonstrated, a facial is great to get, especially during the colder winter months. ZZ Day Spa offers many different options designed to meet different needs.
European Facial - Our highly customizable European facial deeply cleanses the face, unclogs pores, evens out the skin tone, and gives you a more radiant complexion. This facial includes the steaming of the face, exfoliation, extractions, massaging, a mask, and the application of serums and moisturizers. We offer 50 and 80 minute facial experiences.
Hydra Facial - This facial exfoliates, hydrates, improves skin texture and tone, and reduces acne and skin imperfections for a brighter, smoother complexion.
Repechage Opti-Firm Eye Contour Treatment - This treatment helps combat the visible appearance of dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles.
Oxygen Facial - The oxygen facial is suitable for all skin types and is perfect for both hydrating and brightening the skin. A machine is used to spray high pressure oxygen all over the face. After cleansing, serums and moisturizers are applied to your face, and the oxygen device feeds and nourishes the skin.
Microdermabrasion/No Extractions - Exfoliates and removes layers of dead skin using crystal powder. Helps to battle uneven texture and skin tone, clogged pores, and can reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Back Facial - A complete cleansing for those hard-to-reach spots, combining extractions with brightening exfoliation to leave skin smooth, soft, and even more-toned. Highly recommended for the treatment of acne.
Repechage Seaweed Treatment Mask + Microderm - This cooling and soothing treatment helps hydrate while improving skin tone and clarity. It is perfect as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with exfoliating treatments.
Repechage Biolight Miracle Facial - With Glyco-Sea Glycolic Peel. This facial helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyper-pigmentation.
Repechage Vita Cura 5 Phase Firming Facial with Micropeel - For Smoother and Younger Looking Skin. Provides an instant trigger to younger looking skin. Specifically designed to invigorate, lift and firm mature skin.
Repechage Hydra 4 Red-Out Facial - For Sensitive Skin. Designed and formulated to help calm the appearance of sensitive skin.
Repechage Hydra Medic Facial with Desincrustation Mask - For Oily Skin. Deep cleanses and helps control the appearance of oily skin without drying, thus helping maintain moisture to leave skin looking soft and smooth.
Repechage Hydra Dew Pure Moisturizing Lift Facial - For Dry Sensitive Skin. Moisturizes, restores and strengthens the appearance of dry, sensitized skin.
Glow and Peel Facial - A chemical peel that removes the outermost layers of the skin, clears up breakouts, smooths out lines and wrinkles, decongests the skin, and reduces discoloration on the face.
Repechage Four Layer Facial - Experience layer upon layer of pure, fresh European and American seaweed to help tone, deep cleanse and firm the appearance of the skin dramatically.
Conclusion
While the winter months are associated with cozy blankets, roasting marshmallows by the fireplace, and playing in the snow, the weather that comes with the season is not the best for your skin if you do not take proper care of it nor meet its needs. If your skin is damaged from the weather, then receiving facials during this time is a great idea. It can help reverse some of the effects of sun damage, brighten, soothe and rejuvenate your skin, make you feel more relaxed and give you a much-needed break, give you a fresh reset, remove dead skin from the face, and give you a boost in confidence. You will step out of your spa treatment with a nice glow once again, from both within and without.
