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January 14, 2022Whether you’re a winter sports enthusiast or spend the season curled up by the fireplace, the low humidity, bitter winds, and dry indoor heat that accompany cold weather can deplete your skin’s natural moisture. Dry skin is not only painful, uncomfortable, and irritating; it also can lead to skin conditions such as eczema, which results in itchy, red, bumpy skin patches.
Follow these six tips to prevent and treat skin damage caused by winter dryness.
1. Do: Wear sunscreen all year long.
UV rays can easily penetrate cloudy skies to dry out exposed skin. And when the sun is shining, snow and ice reflect its rays, increasing UV exposure.
Getting a sunburn can cause severe dryness, premature aging of the skin, and skin cancer. Snow or shine, apply sunscreen before participating in any outdoor activity during the winter—especially if you take a tropical vacation to escape the cold; your skin is less accustomed to sunlight and more likely to burn quickly.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends sunscreen that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and offers a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
That being said, if you are considering laser skin treatments to reduce wrinkles, hair, blemishes, or acne scars, winter is a better time to receive these procedures. Sun exposure shortly after a treatment increases the risk of hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), and people are less likely to spend time outside during the winter.
Related reading: 7 Simple Ways to Protect Your Skin in the Sun2. Do: Skip products with drying ingredients.
Soaps or facial products you use in warm weather with no issues may irritate your skin during colder seasons. This is because they contain ingredients that can cause dryness, but the effects aren’t noticeable until they’re worsened by the dry winter climate.
You may need to take a break from:
- Anti-acne medications containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
- Antibacterial and detergent-based soap
- Anything containing fragrance, from soap to hand sanitizer
Hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer, which contains a high level of skin-drying alcohol, cannot be avoided; we need to maintain good hand hygiene to stop the spread of germs. If your job or lifestyle requires frequent hand washing or sanitizing, routinely apply hand cream throughout the day as well.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I have seen a lot of people develop hand dermatitis—a condition with itchy, burning skin that can swell and blister—due to constant hand washing. Sometimes the fix is as simple as changing the soap they're using. Sensitive-skin soap is the best product for dry skin; it typically foams up less but still cleans the skin efficiently.
3. Do: Pay closer attention to thick skin.
Areas of thin skin, such as the face and backs of your hands, are usually exposed to the wind and sun the most. It’s easy to tell when they start drying out. But the thick skin on your palms and bottoms of your feet is also prone to dryness—and tends to receive less attention.
When thick skin gets dry, fissures form. You’ll see the surface turn white and scaly; then deep, linear cracks will appear. It isn’t as pliable as thin skin. When you’re constantly on your feet or using your hands to work, cook, and everything in between, dry thick skin cracks instead of flexing with your movements.
To soften cracked skin, gently massage a heavy-duty moisturizer—such as Vaseline—into the affected area once or twice a day. You can also talk with your doctor about using a skin-safe adhesive to close the fissures and help them heal faster.
Related reading: Follow these 5 Tips for Healthy Skin4. Don’t believe the myth that drinking more water will fix dry skin.
Contrary to popular belief, the amount of water or fluids you drink does not play a major role in skin hydration—unless you’re severely dehydrated. In the winter, especially, dry skin is caused by external elements; it should be treated from the outside as well.
The best way to keep skin hydrated and healthy is to apply fragrance-free cream or ointment—not lotion—to damp skin after a shower or bath. Some people need additional moisturizers for their hands, legs, or other areas prone to dryness.While some lotions are made better than others, most are a combination of water and powder that evaporates quickly. Creams and ointments work better because they contain ingredients that can help rebuild your skin barrier.
Look for products with ceramide, a fatty acid that helps rebuild the fat and protein barrier that holds your skin cells together. The AAD also recommends moisturizing ingredients such as:
- Dimethicone
- Glycerin
- Jojoba oil
- Lanolin
- Mineral oil
- Petrolatum
- Shea butter
For severely dry skin, you can try a “wet wrap” technique:
- Rinse a pair of tight-fitting pajamas in warm water and wring them out so they’re damp, not wet.
- Apply cream or ointment to your skin.
- Put on the damp pajamas, followed by a pair of dry pajamas, and wear the ensemble for several hours.
Dampness makes your skin more permeable and better able to absorb hydrating products. If the wet wrap or over-the-counter products aren’t working for you, talk with a dermatologist about prescription skin hydration options.
5. Don’t confuse skin conditions with dryness.
Skin conditions are often mistaken for dry skin because peeling or flaking are common symptoms. Redness of the skin or itching in addition to dryness and flaking indicates a skin condition that may need more than an over-the-counter moisturizer.
Skin cells are anchored together by a lipid and protein layer (like a brick and mortar wall). With very dry skin, the seal on this wall or barrier is not fully intact and water evaporates out of the skin’s surface. The skin will become itchy and red in addition to scaly or flaky. If you experience these symptoms, visit with a dermatologist.6. Don’t wait for symptoms to take care of dry skin.
Be proactive—the best way to maintain moisture is to apply hydrating creams and ointments directly to your skin on a regular basis. Start by applying them as part of your morning routine. Once you get used to that, add a nighttime application. And carry a container of it when you’re on the go or keep it in an easily accessible location at work.
You can’t avoid dry air, but you can take precautions to reduce its harsh effects on your skin. If over-the-counter products don’t seem to help, our dermatologists can provide an individualized treatment plan. Hydrated skin is healthy skin!
Does your skin get drier as the air gets colder?
Our dermatologists can help.
Call 202-877-DOCS (3627) or Request an Appointment
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April 12, 2019Kenneth Fan, MD, recalls when Plastic Surgery’s ability to make a difference in a patient’s life truly hit home. On a medical mission to Haiti, while attending the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, he treated a 35-year-old man who, shamed by a severe cleft lip, had been relegated to life as a recluse. On a subsequent visit to Haiti two years after the procedure, the patient was, figuratively speaking, a new man.
“From the moment I met him again, he had gone through a complete transformation,” Dr. Fan says. He had gone to college to become an English translator, volunteering time for the program. He had gotten married and was getting ready to start a family. It was evidence of how plastic surgery can bring patients a new sense of wholeness.”
Advancing Plastic Surgery Research
Since coming to Washington, D.C., for his residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, the southern California native has pursued an active research agenda, to identify and build upon innovative ways to effect similar transformative results in other patients, particularly those facing post-cancer breast reconstruction procedures.
“A plastic surgeon is the ‘finisher,’ the last stop on a patient’s sometimes difficult route to recovery,” says Dr. Fan, who now practices at Medstar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He adds that while he was drawn to plastic surgery in part for the high level of technical expertise required, “there’s no one set answer to achieve a solution. And I get to stay engaged with the patient afterward, something I really enjoy.”
Benefits of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
Dr. Fan’s recent work with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery and Anesthesia (ERAS) protocols has focused on minimizing and even eliminating the use of narcotics following breast reconstruction procedures, speeding patients’ recovery and with substantially less post-op “grogginess.” For example, microsurgical breast reconstruction with abdominally-based free flaps typically requires week-long hospital stays, sometimes in the ICU. Using the ERAS multimodal, multidisciplinary approach to pain management, the use of narcotics has been significantly reduced.
"Patients are walking by post-op day one or two, and going home by post-op day three,” says Dr. Fan, who considers ERAS “a real game-changer,” for improving patients’ recovery from procedures that can be both physically and emotionally challenging.
“To be able to take the fear out of the postoperative recovery, and to assure patients we are able to manage pain effectively, is by far the most rewarding aspect of this project,” he says. “We are changing the culture of microsurgical breast reconstruction, from a historically challenging recovery, to one of ease and comfort. We hope patients are going to be able to select the right reconstruction for them, without having to consider severe pain and discomfort in their difficult time.”
Outside of Work
Given his many other research pursuits—improving health literacy to improve post-op breast reconstruction, reducing barriers to reconstructive surgery among underserved communities, microsurgical correction of lymphedema and other topics that have led to over 140 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and presentations at scientific meetings —it’s a wonder Dr. Fan finds time for himself.
“Early mornings in the gym are my favorite time, because it’s usually just me,” he says. Dr. Fan also enjoys reading, traveling, and playing with his German Shepherd, Flora. He is also a self-described “foodie,” and enjoys trying different cuisines and restaurants.
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April 09, 2019Getting circumcised often is associated with baby boys. However, many people are surprised to learn that adults can request the procedure. In fact, at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, we perform somewhere between 50 and 100 adult circumcisions each year.
Adult circumcision is a reconstructive procedure that removes excess foreskin from the shaft of the penis. Because most American men are circumcised, those who aren’t can feel self-conscious, as they worry whether their partners find it unusual. Furthermore, some skin conditions can lead to an adult circumcision, including:
- Genital warts: When large or multiple warts develop on the foreskin, circumcision is the preferred approach.
- Lichen sclerosus: An immune-mediated skin condition, this can cause scarring of the foreskin and cause the skin to become tight around the shaft and head of the penis, which can result in infections.
- Phimosis: When foreskin tightens and traps urine underneath the skin, it can lead to inflammation or an infection on the head of the penis or skin, or in the urinary tract.
We saw one man who was in his 50s and experiencing tight penis foreskin, frequent infections, and phimosis. He received a circumcision and shortly after was infection- and symptom-free—just a month after surgery.
LISTEN: Dr. Venkatesan discusses adult circumcision in the Medical Intel podcast.
How are Adult Circumcisions Performed?
During a circumcision, two parallel incisions are made around the penis—one upstream from the skin that’s set to be removed and one downstream. Then, we unwrap the excess skin from the penis and sew the two remaining edges back together.
Most often, we see men in their late teens or early 20s who are first moving out on their own or becoming sexually active. After the minimally invasive surgery, recovery is very manageable. Men considering a circumcision should consult with their urologist to fully understand the procedure and what to expect during recovery.
What Can I Expect During Recovery?
Following surgery, patients can immediately urinate on their own. Recovery usually involves some activity restrictions, however. For example, patients must refrain from sexual activities for about four weeks while the stitches and incisions heal. They also should avoid any heavy exercise for the first two weeks to avoid sweating and putting strain on the incision to ensure it heals properly.
Basic pain medication and antibiotics are given to patients after surgery, but they usually only need them for one week. After that, they’re usually back to work and doing most of their everyday activities.
Are There Any More Risks if I Don’t Get Circumcised?
Not being circumcised thankfully doesn’t have any other concrete risks, outside of increasing the likelihood of skin conditions. However, evidence does suggest that circumcisions before puberty might decrease the risk of penile cancer (although it is very rare to begin with).
Furthermore, circumcisions sometimes are used outside of the U.S. to prevent HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. But there’s no compelling evidence that they reduce the risk.
At MedStar Washington Hospital Center, we’re experts in caring for men who seek a circumcision, because we’re a referral center that routinely sees patients with complex skin conditions. Due to the number of patients we treat with adult circumcisions, we truly offer advanced, results-tested care.
Adult circumcisions occur quite often in the U.S. Whether it’s because of appearance concerns or the result of a medical condition, expert treatment is available for you and your family.
Call 202-877-3627 or click below to make an appointment with a urologist.
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