SkinVersations Winter 2012

The Cold, Hard Facts About Winter’s Effects on Skin

The winter months are now upon us. Many people don’t realize how important proper skin care is in winter. Although protection is needed in summer because of the sun’s intensity, cold weather can cause damage to the skin as well. Some skin conditions, such as psoriasis or dermatitis, can actually worsen in cold weather.¹

That’s why your recommendations for winter skin care matter, as you can help patients avoid many skin problems that arise with cold weather.
Winter skin care tips^1,2

• Use a moisturizer daily–apply in the morning and at night
• Wear sunscreen every day (at least 15-20 SPF) or use a moisturizer containing sunscreen
• Use a humidifier at home
• Avoid long, hot showers
• Avoid harsh cleansers
• Drink plenty of water
• Don’t neglect the hands–use a moisturizer or hand cream

Tena’s Corner

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
-Cicero

I love this quote because I believe gratitude is one of the most important qualities we can impart. When was the last time you gave encouragement or offered acknowledgement or appreciation to a patient or a co-worker? How about to yourself? I am always amazed that people withhold appreciation of others when it costs nothing and yields such high rewards! It all starts from appreciating yourself first. Make sure to remember the great things you do each day and not focus on what you haven’t done or what you don’t like about yourself or others.

We all need support and kind words of encouragement. I know I do and when someone does, I think it is important to say…thank you! Let’s face it, we live in a negative and stressful world. Taking time to focus on our gratitude and what we appreciate in others can really give you a lift for your day. Gratitude has power! There is a really great book called Thank You Power by Deborah Norville that I promise will change your life. Practice gratitude daily for the next 30 days and you will develop a powerful new habit guaranteed to give you more energy.

How about trying my “3G” approach with yourself and your patients. Each morning or evening, write down 3 things about yourself and your life that you are grateful for. Each day choose patients, co-workers, or anyone to appreciate and give praise to. It can be simple things or big things but the most important goal is to “feel” grateful! This will make you both feel energized. For me, I start and end my day with CeraVe®. I am so grateful to have a product that gives me such comfort, relief, and healing for my psoriasis. What a gift! Stay tuned for my next column, which will share the new science of “Positivity” and ways you can become an unforgettably positive person! I am positive you will enjoy!

Contact Tena at Tena@tenabrown.com

Moisturization 101

When the skin is damaged, repair is dependent on slowing the loss of moisture from the skin. Moisturizers play an important role in repairing skin by increasing the water content of the stratum corneum; they are considered hydrating agents. Moisturizers work by using ingredients that are occlusive and/or humectant agents –which means they either keep moisture in or add moisture back. But moisturizes are only as good as your patients’ abilities to apply them properly.

Here are some tips on how to apply moisturizers properly:^3,4

• Apply moisturizer to damp skin immediately after cleansing
• Don’t apply moisturizer around eyes
• Don’t use a moisturizer with SPF at night3
• Let moisturizer dry before applying a foundation
• Spreading moisturizer between the palms warms it up a little so it spreads and absorbs more easily; it also spreads it out so you don’t end up putting too much on one
• Start with your cheeks as they are drier, then work toward the rest of the face and body

Dealing With the Winter Blahs

Scientific evidence proves that most people’s moods dip when the weather turns chilly. Many people may feel more depressed, hostile, angry, irritable, and anxious in winter than in summer. These symptoms aren’t as serious as that of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) sufferers, but people should understand that they can expect mood shifts in the winter. This seasonal slump may be due in part to the lack of light in the colder months.⁵

There are effective ways for you to deal with this phenomenon.⁶

1. Watch what you eat–especially sugar–what you eat may have an effect on how you feel
2. Stock up on Omega-3–this vitamin can have a positive effect on emotional health
3. Join the gym–exercise is a good way to get the heart going and feel invigorated
4. Wear bright colors–even if it’s dull outside, you can brighten things up
5. Force yourself outside–even if it’s overcast outside, your mood can benefit from sunlight
6. Hang out with friends. Isolation only makes things worse; you can feel validated and inspired by others
7. Take up a project–there’s no better time to clean out the closets or start painting a room

“It’s 35° Outside, but Feels Like 5°”. What Is the Wind Chill?

We’ve all heard about it–let alone felt it. But what exactly is wind chill? The wind chill temperature is the temperature that it actually feels like outside. Wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by combined effects of wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving down both the skin temperature and eventually the internal temperature of the body. Therefore, the wind makes it feel much colder.

Wind chill factors are important for people like meteorologists to calculate, as they provide an accurate and consistent measure to ensure public safety.
To calculate the wind chill, click here.

Suggested Reading

Color Me Beautiful

Carole Jackson

Using simple guidelines, professional color consultant Carole Jackson helps women choose shades that make them look amazing. This practical guide can help you develop your own color personality, learn to perfect your make-up color, discover your clothing personality, use color to solve specific figure problems, and choose full-color palettes containing the 30 shades for each season.

Principles of Skin Care

Rebecca Penzer and Steven Ersser

This inspiring read, which is by no means a textbook, focuses on how to help patients with skin conditions―with skills and information needed to become competent in caring for the skin, preventing skin breakdown, managing patients with common skin conditions, and helping patients cope with the psychological impact of skin problems.

Events Calendar

Throughout this season, there are a number of meetings and conferences to choose from, including exotic locations such as Hawaii.

The American Academy of Dermatology has numerous meetings scheduled throughout the country.

• February 16-19, 2012: DNA Annual Convention 2012 — Dermatology Nurses Association, Denver, CO
• March 16-20, 2012: AAD Annual Meeting 2012 — American Academy of Dermatology, San Diego, CA
• March 15, 2012: 8th Annual Skin of Color Scientific Symposium, San Diego, CA. For other Skin of Color symposia happening throughout the year, go to http://www.skinofcolorsociety.org/calendar.html

Other events that are happening during the winter include:

Walk to Cure Psoriasis

March 4, 2012: Aventura Mall, Miami, FL

To find other walks near you, go to www.walk.psoriasis.org

Take Our Survey

Test Your Skin IQ
Do you know technical terminology that is sometimes used in dermatology? Answer these few questions to test your knowledge on what goes into making these products work.

1. What is natural moisturizing factor (NMF)?⁷
   1. The natural retention of water in the skin
   2. The amount of water a person needs to drink every day
   3. The skin’s ability to repel water
2. Desquamate means⁷
   1. To react unfavorably
   2. To shed the outer layers of the skin
   3. To rebuild the cells of the stratum corneum
3. Dry skin in the winter months results from¹
   1. Low moisture levels in the air
   2. The effects of cold air on blood circulation
   3. Indoor heating (forced or radiant heat)
   4. All of the above

Answers

1. a
2. b
3. d

Contact CeraVe^®

For more information about CeraVe^® Cleansers and Moisturizers and for product samples and literature, please make sure you speak to your CeraVe^® professional representative.

You can also send us an email at info@Skinversations.com.

If you would like to share any interesting practice pearls, office tips, or patient success stories with us, please email them to comments@Skinversations.com.

Sponsored as an educational service by Valeant Consumer Products, makers of CeraVe^® Cleansers and Moisturizers.

References:

1. Winter skin care tips. Accessed: January 2012. http://www.anti-aging-skin-care-guide.com/winter-skin-care-tips.html
2. Zintz K. Winter skin care. Canadien Health Magazine. Accessed: January 2012.http://www.canadien-health.ca/6-1/22-e.html
3. Tips to optimize your facial moisturizer. February 2007.http://www.vivawoman.net/2007/12/28/tips-to-optimize-your-facial-moisturizer Tip: proper way to apply moisturizer
4. My women stuff. Tip: Proper way to apply moisturizer.http://www.mywomenstuff.com/2009/08/25/tip-proper-way-to-apply-moisturize
5. Chatterjee C. Beat the winter blahs. Psychology Today. Accessed: January 2012. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200001/beat-the-winter-blahs.
6. Borchard TJ. 12 winter depression busters. World of Psychology. http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/01/04/12-winter-depression-busters.
7. Leyden JL and Rawlings AV. Skin Moisturization. Basel, Switzerland. Marcel Dekker, Inc; 2002.