Dry skin

This is the time, when we face most often the problems arising from skin dryness. It is mainly caused by the cold air outside and dry indoor air on account of central heating. Therefore, our skin needs more than ever protection from cold and damp air and wind, and hydration for the treatment and prevention of skin dryness.

At the laser and beauty clinic of Dr. Mari Laasma, we use special skin moisture meters to objectively assess the moisture level of client's skin before and after moisturizing procedures.

Often the dry skin is also sensitive, but the dryness of skin is not always the cause of sensitivity. Sometimes the skin is just sensitive, even if it is well moisturized. Currently, superficial dryness is the most common skin concern of our clients, caused by the freezing temperatures. However, superficially dry skin may hide oily skin underneath.

Sometimes it may be difficult to understand, whether the skin is dry or superficially dry. Consequently, many mistakes are often made in skincare, which is why the initial skin problem in many times remains unsettled. The task of our specialist is to determine with the help of special skin diagnostic machines, what the problem is and how to treat it.

According to Dr. Laasma, one of the most frequent problems that we also see in the clinic is that clients try to be too "good" and use simultaneously many facial care products with active ingredients (retinol, acids, etc.), which, however, can cause excessively dryness of the skin and hypersensitivity. Incorrect skincare, however, can harm the microbiome of the skin, causing the skin to become even drier, rougher and redder.

Dry skin

Dry skin or Xerosis cutis is a shortage of hydrolipids in the skin.

It is characterized by a reduced amount and/or quality of lipids and/or hydrolipidic compounds (natural compounds which moisturize the skin).

The occurrence of dry skin increases with age, but dry skin can also occur in children and adolescents. The symptoms of dry skin are skin dryness, flakiness, roughness and pallor of skin. Dry skin also causes reduction of skin elasticity, thickening, wrinkles, redness of skin and cracks. In addition, the skin may feel tense, itchy and sore. Dry skin can appear all over the body, but usually, the areas with fewer sebaceous glands (legs, arms, hands, and feet) are most affected.

What causes the dryness of skin?

95% of the skin is water. It is protected by a hydrolipidic layer in the epidermis          (Figure 1). The natural protective barrier of the skin is formed by 15-20 layers of corneocytes  (Figure 2). Dryness of the skin is related to the dysfunction of this natural barrier and/or deficiency of skin moisturizing factors, causing the loss of skin hydration.

What can be the causes of dry skin?

  • External factors (low temperature, low humidity, intense sunlight, exposure to irritants - concerns, for example, hairdressers, nurses, cleaning personnel - excessive cleaning/washing of the skin, taking long hot showers or baths too frequently)
  • Internal factors of the body (menopause and andropause, pregnancy, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism)
  • Heredity
  • Pregnancy
  • Diet (unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins)
  • Hormones
  • Smoking

Age

With the aging of the skin, the processes in the skin become slower and the production of lipids drops. The water content as well as the hyaluronic acid content of the skin drop, among other things. These factors cause skin dryness, which in turn accelerates the aging of the skin and formation of fine folds and wrinkles.

How to treat dry skin?

1. Skincare products

The treatment involves moisturizing the skin, restoring the lipid barrier and preventing the loss of water by generating a lipid layer on the surface of the skin. The easiest and most important aspect here is to use the correct skincare products regularly. Topical dermocosmetic products used for the basic care of dry skin contain active compounds, which have a moisturizing effect, replenish lipids, form a protective layer, soothe the skin and/or help against itching.

2. Preparations injected into the skin 
3. Skin hydration with laser HydraLase™ Silk

In the first step of the HydraLase Silk procedure, microchannels are made in the skin, using X-Restart - the newest instrument of the Fotona laser. In the second step, a gentle and controlled superficial laser exfoliation of the skin is performed, helping to reduce the layer of dead skin cells on the skin, while stimulating microcirculation and renewal of the skin. At the end of the procedure, hyaluronic acid serum is administered, which is quickly absorbed into the dermis through the microchannels created with the laser. As a result of this procedure, the creams and serums applied at home are better absorbed, the skin looks and feels noticeably more moisturized, brighter, smoother and with a more even complexion. Microwrinkles are smoothed out, unevenness and roughness caused by the dryness of skin fade. The skin becomes silky and smooth.

Recommendations for dry skin:

  • Drink enough water every day
  • Take hot baths no longer than 5-10 minutes and avoid long-term exposure to water
  • It is best to moisturize the skin when it is clean and slightly damp, such as after a bath or shower
  • Avoid bubble baths
  • Use products, which contain low levels of allergens and fragrances
  • In cleaning your skin avoid hot water and prefer lukewarm water
  • Clean the skin a maximum of twice a day
  • Do not use strong soaps which remove lipids from the surface of the skin
  • Use gentle, non-alkaline detergents and lipid-regenerating soaps or shower and bath oils
  • Avoid skin abrasion
  • Prefer natural materials such as cotton, silk
  • Avoid very hot and spicy foods, large quantities of hot drinks and alcohol
  • Avoid dry, hot or very cold environments and significant temperature fluctuations, ventilate the rooms at least once a day
  • Use a special humidifier in rooms with central heating, keep a moisturizing spray in your bag on flight trips or otherwise long journeys!
  • Protect your skin from the sun, cold and wind!