Oh the weather, it's frightful, but your skin doesn't have to be. If you are someone who suffers from dehydrated skin during the winter months, one of the main causes could be transepidermal water loss. Our skin is made up of three primary layers, the outermost being the epidermis, the dermis is the middle layer and the hypodermis is the innermost layer. Transepidermal water loss occurs when water passes from the dermis through the epidermis and evaporates through the skin barrier. When we’re in a humid environment, water evaporates slower from the skin so the body can replenish any water we may lose to the air faster. However, in a more dry environment, water tends to evaporate faster than our bodies can replace the fluids, leading our skin to become dehydrated.
If you’re struggling with transepidermal water loss, you’ll likely notice that your skin is becoming dry and flaky. It can also become itchy or begin developing a rough texture and visible fine lines and tightness.
While you can’t stop transepidermal water loss from happening entirely since it’s a naturally occurring process, there are still some steps you can take to help reduce it from happening dramatically.
Adding a functional hydrator to your skincare routine is the first and easiest way to reduce reactions and redness, and accelerate hydration.
Why a functional hydrator compared to a traditional moisturizer?
A functional hydrator helps to support and strengthen the skin barrier, replenishes moisture loss deep within the skin and promotes long term hydration.
Our favourites include Hydrating Creme, Recovery Creme and Renewal Creme.
In addition to skincare, there are treatments that can help to boost hydration during the dry winter months. The Beauty Booster is a micro-channelling device that injects hyaluronic acid into the skin to plump the dermis and target crepiness and fine lines. Downtime is typically around 5-7 days as you may experience some bruising, but it is your one way ticket to airbrushed and hydrated skin. A less invasive option that is ideal for those who want to maintain hydration throughout the winter is our Dermal Infusion. The treatment extracts, exfoliates and infuses a serum targeted towards your skin's needs.
The result? A glowing brighter and more radiant complexion.
Dehydrated skin happens to everyone - especially when you live in Canada - while you cannot always prevent it, there are things you can do both in clinic and at home to lessen the unwanted side effects.
To learn more about a skincare regimen or treatment plan that is right for you, book your consultation today. Happy hydrating!