3 Spring Skin Care Suggestions
The old saying “March winds and April showers bring May flowers” reminds us of how spring is a time of renewal and hope. After a long, bitter winter, we have brighter and warmer weather to look forward to as the Earth brings forth its new life. When it comes to skincare, many people also look forward to shedding the dead skin that has built up throughout the winter (we recommend chemical exfoliation from our Little Rock team) and making their complexion look more vibrant as they get ready to wear more revealing clothes and enjoy more outdoor activities.
Keep in mind, however, that increases in temperature, humidity, and sun exposure will also bring about their own challenges.
Even though we might be more than ready to enjoy sunshine, our skin needs a longer time to adapt to seasonal changes. Some of the most common warmer-weather skin issues include acne breakouts, contact dermatitis from touching certain plants, grass and pollen allergies, eczema flare-ups, insect bites, dry skin, rough skin, and sunburn. One thing’s for certain: Even though you still need to be wearing SPF during the winter, proper sun protection is definitely more important during the shift.
Want to maintain healthy skin as the world wakes up? See below for some of our suggestions.
Exfoliate
Dry and flaky skin is a common issue during the winter, but it can still be a problem when your skin comes out of hibernation. In fact, your skin will probably be even more sensitive to weather changes now. Dry skin will be much more noticeable when we ditch the sweaters and scarves to expose more of our surface. Exfoliating during the dead of winter isn’t always advisable, but spring is the perfect time to start. Slough away winter skin with chemical peels for the face or use an exfoliating mitt in the shower for your body.
Manage Acne Breakouts
Use a cleanser that contains acne-fighting ingredients, and “spring clean” to get rid of any old beauty products that may have expired or developed bacterial colonies while lurking in your medicine cabinet for the past year.
Lighten Up on Moisturizers
Switch from heavier creams to lighter, gel-based moisturizers and cleansers that hydrate but won’t clog your pores or feel greasy.
Want more advice on seasonal skincare? Contact our team at the Little Rock-based Dermatology Group of Arkansas. Call us at 501-227-8422 or 1-800-225-8422 or fill out a contact form online to request a consultation.
What Are the Best Methods to Reduce Uneven Pigmentation?
Discolored patches on the skin are a common condition that may occur because of several possible causes, such as illness, injury, inflammatory problems, or a difference in levels of melanin—the substance that provides color to your skin and gives it some protection against sunlight. The most effective way of treating these discolored areas on the skin depends on their underlying cause, so you should a see a dermatologist if you’re noticing any such lasting changes and want to do something about them. If your overall skin tone is uneven and you’re discovering irregular dark spots, IPL from our Little Rock-based team at Dermatology Group of Arkansas can help you get a more even, uniform skin texture, as can some other techniques.
Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy may sometimes cause dark patches called melasma on both sides of the face. In other cases, darkened blotches on the skin called age spots or sunspots may occur on sun-exposed areas. Acne sufferers can discover marks left on their skin due to inflammation. These dark marks are collectively referred to as hyperpigmentation. As mentioned previously, your skin produces pigment called melanin as a natural way of protecting you from damage caused by sun exposure. Excessive ultraviolet radiation is the primary cause of hyperpigmentation because it disrupts the melanin production process.
Here are some ways to reduce unwanted discolorations:
IPL
IPL is a light-based procedure that gives off multiple flashes of broad bands of light—as opposed to lasers, which produce beams in one focused wavelength. The light energy IPL gives off is absorbed by both melanin and hemoglobin in the skin without harming the surrounding areas. The discolored spots eventually flake away.
Over-the-Counter Products
Several common skincare ingredients can help with pigmentation, including vitamin C, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and retinol.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are ideal for lightening unwanted pigment on the surface of the skin. A chemical solution is applied, then penetrates into deeper layers depending on its strength. This removes the damaged, older skin on the surface. With this exfoliation, newer, healthier, and clearer skin is revealed. This treatment promotes skin cell renewal.
Want a clearer complexion? Learn more about the benefits of IPL and more from Dermatology Group of Arkansas. Call us at 501-227-8422 or 1-800-225-8422 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation.
What Should You Know About Juvederm® Aftercare?
When it comes to reducing wrinkles that result from muscle activity in the face (which are referred to as dynamic wrinkles), neuromodulators like BOTOX® are the gold standard. However, for wrinkles that deepen in the face because of collagen deficiency, loss of moisture, or the breakdown of skin cells due to exposure to other environmental aggressors, facial fillers are best. These gels are injected beneath the skin, acting as a temporary replacement for the collagen, fat, or other volume-providing substances the skin is lacking. Hyaluronic acid facial fillers such as Juvederm® injections from our Little Rock-based practice are one of the best ways of restoring volume to areas where it is diminished in the skin or adding more definition to facial contours.
Since it’s a non-surgical procedure, one of the major advantages of this treatment is that there is very little recovery time and few limitations on activities after, meaning patients will be able to resume their usual routine right away for the most part. Nevertheless, there are still some side effects that may occur after having any type of injectable, and it’s helpful to know what to expect during recovery.
Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on Your Skin
When it comes to fillers, it’s wise to remember that you can look as much as you want, but try not to touch your face too frequently. If you massage or poke at your face too much, the activity could undo the work that has been done by the injector. Try to avoid deep facials, sleeping in positions that put too much pressure on your skin (such as the side or stomach), or wearing heavy glasses.
Apply Ice
To decrease some of the redness and swelling, try icing the treatment area right after the injections. Don’t leave ice on for too long, though. Try a few minutes on, then give your skin a break to avoid damaging it with cold.
Avoid Certain Activities
Rest up, avoid stress, and keep your heart rate down after getting fillers. Some activities or environments could increase your heart rate and blood flow to the facial area, which can make swelling and bruising worse. Avoid sun exposure, blood thinners such as NSAIDs, smoking, and exercise for the first 24 hours at least. You should also stay out of spas and saunas for about a day.
For more advice about facial fillers, contact Dermatology Group of Arkansas. Call us at 501-227-8422 or 1-800-225-8422 or submit a contact form to request a consultation.