Use lukewarm water rather than hot water, which can wash away natural oils. If you bathe more than that, you may strip away much of the skin's oily layer and cause it to lose moisture. Limit yourself to one 5- to 10-minute bath or shower daily. Set it to around 60%, a level that should be sufficient to replenish the top layer of the epidermis. Here are some ways to combat dry skin that are effective if practiced consistently: She or he may also want to run some tests to rule out medical conditions that can cause dry skin, including hypothyroidism, diabetes, lymphoma, kidney disease, liver disease, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. For severe dry skin, your clinician may prescribe a cream containing lactic acid, urea, or corticosteroids. (Rarely, dry skin is associated with allergy.) Consult your clinician if you notice any of these symptoms or if measures you take at home provide no relief. Another possible complication is secondary bacterial infection (redness, swelling, and pus), which may require antibiotics. Substances in the dermis (below the epidermis) that attract and bind water molecules also decrease with age.ĭry skin is usually not a serious health problem, but it can produce serious complications, such as chronic eczema (red patches) or bleeding from fissures that have become deep enough to disrupt capillaries in the dermis. The most vulnerable areas are those that have fewer sebaceous (or oil) glands, such as the arms, legs, hands, and middle of the upper back. The production of natural oils in the skin also slows with age in women, this may be partly a result of the postmenopausal drop in hormones that stimulate oil and sweat glands. Often it's the cumulative effect of sun exposure: sun damage results in thinner skin that doesn't retain moisture. Skin aging and drynessĭry skin becomes much more common with age at least 75% of people over age 64 have dry skin. These are less greasy and may be more cosmetically appealing than petroleum jelly or oils. Other moisturizers contain water as well as oil, in varying proportions. Because they contain no water, they're best used while the skin is still damp from bathing, to seal in the moisture. Some of the most effective (and least expensive) are petroleum jelly and moisturizing oils (such as mineral oil), which prevent water loss without clogging pores. In general, the thicker and greasier a moisturizer, the more effective it will be. Emollients, such as linoleic, linolenic, and lauric acids, smooth skin by filling in the spaces between skin cells. Another set of ingredients - for example, petrolatum (petroleum jelly), silicone, lanolin, and mineral oil - help seal that moisture within the skin. Humectants, which help attract moisture, include ceramides (pronounced ser-A-mids), glycerin, sorbitol, hyaluronic acid, and lecithin. They contain three main types of ingredients. Skin moisturizers, which rehydrate the epidermis and seal in the moisture, are the first step in combating dry skin. This continuous cycle completely renews the skin about once a month. It consists of stacked layers of cells that are constantly in transition, as younger, living cells rise from the lower part of the epidermis and eventually die and fall off after reaching the surface. The top layer is the epidermis, the skin's main protective barrier and the level where drying occurs. Above that is the dermis, which contains blood vessels, nerves, sweat and oil glands, and hair follicles. The lowest or innermost layer consists of subcutaneous fat, which provides insulation, energy storage, and shock absorption. The skin has three layers, each with a distinct role. The result is roughness, flaking, itching, cracking, and sometimes a burning sensation. (See "Anatomy of the skin.") Water loss accelerates when the glue is loosened by sun damage, over-cleansing, scrubbing, or underlying medical conditions - or by winter's low humidity and the drying effects of indoor heat. Think of the epidermal skin cells as an arrangement of roof shingles held together by a lipid-rich "glue" that keeps the skin cells flat, smooth, and in place. Fortunately, there are many simple and inexpensive things you can do to relieve winter dry skin, also known as winter itch or winter xerosis. Wintertime poses a special problem because humidity is low both outdoors and indoors, and the water content of the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin) tends to reflect the level of humidity around it. At this time of year, hands may be red, rough, and raw, and skin may feel itchy and uncomfortable.ĭry skin occurs when skin doesn't retain sufficient moisture - for example, because of frequent bathing, use of harsh soaps, aging, or certain medical conditions.
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