Glowing skin for the holidays

by Nazanin Saedi, M.D., Director of Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Center at Jefferson

Published Dec. 8, 2016, 10:45 a.m. ET

The holidays are rapidly approaching, so it's time to get your skin glowing! With lots of holiday parties, family gatherings, and tons of photos, your skin needs to be at its best.

There are so many procedures and creams available now, but patients often don't know when to try these procedures so that they are ready in time.

Here is a timeline that you can follow for procedures and treatments that will have you glowing in time:

Timeline

Overall, in the winter months, our skin becomes dry, chapped, and even cracked. Cold weather, wind, low humidity, and dry indoor heat all contribute to water evaporating from the skin and leaving it dry. In addition to procedures, here are a few tips to get holiday-ready, radiant skin from your daily routine:

Avoid harsh products. Try to avoid facial products that contain alcohol, such as toners and astringents. Products containing retinoids or retinol are great for your skin, but they can be drying and slightly irritating in the wintertime. You can use them every other night.

Drop the hot showers. It's comforting to take long, hot showers or baths, but these actually dry out the skin. Try to take relatively short, warm baths or showers.

Moisturize. Try to moisturize your skin at least twice a day. The best time is immediately after a shower or bath. Thick, rich creams are best for moisturizing and maintaining the skin's protective barrier.

Nazanin Saedi, M.D. is a board certified dermatologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and an assistant professor of dermatology at Thomas Jefferson University. She is the director of the Jefferson Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Center. Dr. Saedi is a specialist in cosmetics and Mohs micrographic surgery.