DRY SKIN. ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DRY SKIN
Dry skin: causes of dry skin and proper care for dry skin.
INNA CODRU , JULY 29, 2018
Dry facial skin is skin with slight signs of peeling, roughness in certain areas, in rare cases itching is felt. Dryness of the skin of the face is one of the most unpleasant things that you just need to deal with. And care for dry skin is simply necessary. Dry skin doesn't just look bad, but it can also be quite painful and itchy. And often it can become flaky, and sometimes (horror!) scaly.
There are various reasons that cause dry skin. This may be a symptom of a medical problem, but there is also a possibility that the condition is due to the natural release of oils in the skin. We all have different bodies and our hormones work differently. With an excess of any hormones, the skin can drastically reduce the production of sebum, which will lead to a lack of "lubricant" for the skin, so the skin becomes dry without getting the necessary moisture.
In principle, the good news regarding dry skin is that this problem can be solved. You can restore dry areas of the skin and alleviate the situation as a whole. Although eliminating the symptoms does not immediately solve the underlying problem, at least you can alleviate the symptoms while addressing the underlying problem of dry skin. That is, get some reprieve while you take steps to fully resolve the problem.
Before you start dealing with dry skin or looking for a treatment, you need to learn as much as you can about the problem. Everything you need to know about dry skin, including how to deal with it at home, is listed below.
DRY SKIN AND DEHYDRATION SKIN ARE NOT THE SAME ONE
When some people say they have dry skin, they suspect that they have dehydrated skin. These two concepts are not identical. It is worth understanding this difference as each of these problems requires different treatments.
Dehydrated skin is a temporary condition that is often associated with a lack of moisture in the skin, and sometimes in the body as a whole. The body temporarily reduces its own fat production, which can leave the skin rough and irritated for a while. You need to take some steps to correct the situation, and you will find that the problem will be solved relatively easily.
If you have a lack of water in the body, then the skin becomes dehydrated. The body draws moisture from areas that do not need it as much as other parts of the body. Your skin is one of the first places to lose water, becoming dehydrated, dull and slightly irritated.
Some of the beauty products you use can also lead to dehydrated skin. These products can remove natural oils and moisture from the skin, making the skin very rough and itchy. When you stop using such a product, you will find that the situation usually reverses. In this way, you can also reverse the problem of dry skin by starting to use the right types of cosmetics.
Dry skin can become a systemic condition, usually due to problems affecting the skin's own oil production. You can observe peeling of the skin, and changing cosmetics may initially only slightly change the overall condition of the skin. What then to do? It is important to continue using the right beauty products if you want to benefit from them in the long term. It may be a genetic problem, meaning that your parents or even grandparents once had this problem with dry skin.
Many of us focus on facial skin, but dry skin will show up everywhere. You will probably feel it on your arms, elbows, around your chest and back, and even on your scalp. Dryness will seep into all layers of your skin, and will affect not only its top layer.
WHAT CAUSES DRY OR DEHYDRATION OF THE SKIN?
We have looked at some common causes, but there are many more. In fact, there is no one common cause of dehydrated or dry skin. This state can manifest itself immediately externally, or it can first be inside. External problems are those that you will see almost immediately and be able to take the necessary measures. Internal dry skin can be something that takes much longer to appear and even longer to fix.
Your genetics can certainly play a big role when it comes to dry skin. However, your age and daily habits can also be an issue. As we get older, our skin stops producing as much oil as it needs. Then the skin starts to dry, imperceptibly, because you are not restoring the moisture in the skin, since you probably do not see the problem yet.
Those who suffer from atopic dermatitis, thyroid disease, and other conditions may find their skin dries out and the skin's natural reduction in oil production becomes a constant symptom. You can, of course, correct these symptoms, but you will need to correct the general condition in order to finally get rid of dry skin, so to speak, from the inside.
The environment, our lifestyle and many other things affect our skin. Cold temperatures cause the top layers of the skin to dry out as moisture moves into the deeper layers of the epidermis. In cold weather, we turn on heating devices, and this, saving us from the cold, brings another problem. Many of you have noticed that the use of central heating in winter often leads to dry skin.
Low humidity in the house is the main problem. In winter, we cannot allow outdoor air to freely enter our home. Accordingly, the humidity from the street no longer enters our house. Naturally, the central heating in the house and the cold temperatures outside create quite dry conditions in the apartment.
The types of soaps and cleaners you use can also have a direct effect on the skin. This also happens when you regularly use disinfectants or alcohol/acid products. Cleaning products such as bleach often cause problems as the skin will be stripped of its natural oils and moisture. Harsh soaps are also great at removing moisture, leaving layers of dry skin behind. You can usually easily tell when your skin is dry by how your skin feels after being exposed to cleansers; she usually gets rough and becomes some kind of "uncomfortable".
If you don't moisturize your skin consistently, you will eventually find that your skin starts to dry out. This is very common in women as they get older and the skin's production of its own fat begins to change. However, even if you have oily skin, you need to keep it completely moisturized. This can help prevent changes that will cause long-term problems in the future.
Taking certain medications can also cause dry skin problems. Often these are acne medications. They are generally made to reduce the amount of oil on your skin to help remove excess oil. And that could lead to another problem. And, over time, you will notice flaky skin on your face, especially around the T-zone. Allergy medications, as well as drugs for high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, also cause dry skin as a side effect.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRY SKIN
You may think that you will instantly know if a dry skin problem appears because you will see it peeling off, but this is not the first of its signs or symptoms. Dry skin may first affect the deeper layers of the epidermis. This condition can begin to manifest itself from the inside, depending on the reasons that caused dry skin. Often, peeling becomes just one of the secondary symptoms.
A feeling of tightness in the skin is often a sign of dry skin. For example, when you try to stretch your muscles, you feel as if the skin might tear. This sensation can also be felt when massaging the skin, for example it is common around the forehead and cheeks, but can also be felt around the abdomen, arms and even legs. You feel the friction of clothing more acutely, especially around the elbows, ankles and knees.
Over time, the skin becomes itchy. It may also begin to form rough, dark patches, especially around the tips of the elbows or along the knees and soles of the feet. At first, itching can be annoying and the rough patches are not very noticeable, but after a while the symptoms get worse. The skin in these places begins to crack and itch, causing pain, burning and bleeding.
When you scratch itchy, dry skin, you make it worse. The skin becomes even tougher, and you want to scratch it even more. This ends up with the skin cracking and tearing and the itching not soothing. You need to take steps to correct this situation.
For some, dry skin can also appear as a red skin rash. They may open like sores, but sometimes they remain closed and look a bit like an allergic rash. This is a sign that your skin needs some moisture. This is often seen in the back and abdomen, especially in children.
THE BEST TREATMENTS FOR DRY AND DEHYDRATION SKIN
You don't need to see a doctor right away in most cases unless dry skin is related to a medical condition or medication. There are steps you can take at home to repair and soothe dry skin.
First, pay attention to your gels and soaps that you use. If they are harsh, then this is a sign that your skin is not coping well with their effects. It is worth switching to something softer and more moisturizing.
Use oil-based cleansers to help add more moisture to your skin while unclogging your pores. Mineral oil may be helpful for dehydrated skin, but may not be strong enough for dry skin.
A moisturizer is a must when caring for dry skin. It can prevent problems, especially when you start noticing a change in skin type as you age. Moisturizing daily will help prevent skin from losing water and relieve itching.
If your dry skin is due to genetics, you need to consider oil-based moisturizers. COCONUT OIL can be one of the best natural remedies as it absorbs deep into the layers of the skin, especially if used at night. However, if you have dehydrated skin, consider using a light moisturizer; something made for soft dry skin.
You can also use Vaseline or something similar for rough dry skin. Treatments stick for a longer period, soaking through the day. Many celebrities use petroleum jelly around the eyes, which is an area that is highly dependent on moisture loss, as the skin around the eyes instantly shows the earliest signs of aging when it loses moisture. In general , the skin around the eyes is very delicate and it is necessary to select creams for it very carefully .
Sometimes you still need to talk to your doctor. Steroid creams may be needed to help deal with deeper damage or avoid problems with medications or other medical problems. Hydrocortisone cream is one of the most commonly prescribed creams in the first place, as it is a very mild cream. However, you may be prescribed fluocinonide, which is a stronger cream for more serious problems.
High strength creams should only be used for a short time. They can lead to thinning and breaking of the skin if used for too long. They are also not commonly prescribed for facial skin due to adverse side effects.
Whatever creams and treatments you use, think about the temperature and humidity in your home. Dry heat is one of the most common causes of dehydrated skin. Get a humidifier for your home and you can get the moisture back. This will not only improve the health of your skin, but it can also help improve your overall health.
You should also pay attention to the change in water temperature when taking a shower. Hot water makes the body sweat, so the skin loses its moisture. Instead, bathe in warm water, it does not lose its cleansing properties, but you will not lose as much moisture as from a hot shower.
Clothing can also be a problem, especially if you wear wool. Choose cotton or other natural fibers. They are gentler on the skin and will help reduce skin problems.
Of course, remember to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Aim to drink 2 liters of water a day, which is about eight glasses. It does not have to be plain water, so that they do not write and talk lately. You can also get the moisture you need through tea, coffee, sodas, and even flavored water. Of course, tea and coffee remove moisture from the body, but not as much as it might seem. But to be fair, plain water (or with some fruit for flavoring) is one of the best health options because it has no calories or additives. And when your body is hydrated, it won't have to draw water out of your skin.
DON'T LET DRYness HARM YOUR SKIN
You don't have to live and put up with your dry skin. If you start the problem, then in the future you will get cracks and infected skin. The best thing you can do is to use a moisturizer daily. Do this first thing before using makeup to protect your pores and increase the amount of moisture in your skin.
Consider making some lifestyle changes to improve your skin and overall health. If you have a medical condition or are taking medications that cause dry skin, talk to your doctor about your options for moisturizing your skin. The doctor will be able to recommend any additional treatment options, both long-term and short-term.