The first hint of warmth can never come too soon. March, anymore, feels as long as two or three months. But, despite what the 10-day forecast may say, spring is on the horizon.
As welcome as that realization is, it’s usually chased by another more daunting one: What has the winter done to me? Buried under chunky sweaters and wooly hats, it’s easy to lose sight of just how harsh that bitter-cold air has been to our skin.
The combination of the cold, stiff winds and the dry air inside and out gradually robs our skin of vital moisture during the long winter months, which can have a long-term negative effect on its elasticity and health.
To counter those effects and begin to restore a healthy glow just in time for spring, I recommend a couple of minimally invasive treatments that can be done during an office visit.
Starting fresh
Microdermabrasion is a chemical-free procedure that removes the dead, dry outer layer of the skin to reveal fresh, healthy skin underneath. A machine with tiny crystals gently exfoliates the surface of your skin removing dead skin cells and debris. It can feel like a gritty facial massage.
It’s suitable for all skin types and colors, and it won’t cause any scarring or color changes.
Almost immediately, you’ll see and appreciate the difference. There are a few more benefits at work beneath the surface. For one, microdermabrasion can improve circulation deep within the skin. Better blood flow means the cells are receiving more oxygen and nutrients, which will gradually improve cell processes and, in turn, elasticity.
Removing dead skin and improving circulation also helps to not only unclog pores—which will improve the absorption of skincare products by up to 50 percent—but reduce the size of them.
Offsetting all that screen time
It turns out that winter’s threats to our skin go beyond the extreme elements outside. The research is still in its infancy, but a few groundbreaking studies have indicated that the blue light from our phone, tablet, and computer screens is leading to premature aging and hyperpigmentation.
A 2010 study found that exposing skin to the amount of blue light we get from the sun caused more pigment, redness, and swelling than when the same person’s skin was exposed to comparable levels of UVA rays. Another suggested that blue light might stimulate the production of free radicals in skin, which can speed up the appearance of aging.
Even if this is the first you’re hearing of the news, you may have already noticed the overnight-influx of cosmetic products that are intended to address these concerns. I offer what I believe to be the most effective formula on the market, SkinMedica’s LUMIVIVE. It’s described as “full atmospheric protection against blue light and pollution.”
LUMIVIVE is a two-step system. The Day Damage Defense Serum provides protection all day long against blue light and pollution while the Night Revitalize Repair Complex enhances the critical sleep-repair cycle. Together, they can offset the 10 hours, on average, we spend in front of a screen each day and restore your skin’s radiant glow within 14 days.
Forget what they say; restore a healthy glow and meet spring with your best face forward.