Dry skin symptoms and how you can treat them

Don’t let dry and dehydrated skin stop you from stepping out in your newest outfit: Rehydrate from within by understanding the signs and symptoms of dry skin.

What is dry or dehydrated skin?

Dry skin is a skin type that often appears as flakey, tight, feels rough and may be itchy. Also caused by a range of factors such as cold weather and long hot showers, dehydrated skin is also a common skin type that many of us experience during the cooler. By noticing the signs and symptoms of dryness and dehydration early on, you can avoid further damage to the skin and premature ageing.

Normal skin: Intact outermost layer of skin, stratum corneum allows for minimal water loss

Dry skin: Impaired stratum corneum, results in increased water evaporation

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What happens when our skin ages?

In our your 20s We are exposed to environmental damage, prolonged sun exposure, increased consumption in alcohol, fun-filled weekends with sleepless nights – all harmful to our skin’s structural integrity.

In your 30s There is a decline in cellular renewal as collagen and elastin degrades. This leaves you with an uneven, dry and dull complexion. To restore lost hydration, it is important to regularly apply a moisturising agent. We LOVE the Medik8 Hydr8 B5 serum – easily absorbs and prolongs hydration as it is packed with peptides and Vitamin B5.

In your 40s + The epidermis becomes thinner and dehydration is common as the protective barrier is not as prominent. As the barrier lessens, we begin to lose the ability to retain moisture in the skin.  

Signs and symptoms of dry skin include:

• Itching
• Slight to severe levels of flaking, scaling or peeling
• Fine lines or cracks
• Deep cracks that may bleed
• Redness and irritation

More severe signs and symptoms of dry skin include:

• Large areas of scaling or peeling skin
• Open sores or infection from scratching ^[1]

  We’ve identified the signs and symptoms – now what? To address dry and dehydrated skin, proactive hydration must occur. This can be achieved through noninvasive skin treatments such as Microdermabrasion, Oxygen Facial Therapy and Chemical Peels. ^[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-skin/symptoms-causes/syc-20353885

Dry Skin Causes

Avoid long hot showers

As tempting as staying in the shower forever seems to be, exposure to hot water for long periods of time strips the body of its natural oils, resulting in dry skin. Decrease your chances of dry skin by limiting the time spent in the shower as well as moisturising afterwards.

Avoid excessive cleansing

By excessively cleansing, the skin’s natural oils are depleted which leaves the skin feeling dry and compromises its ability to function.

Avoid prolonged sun exposure

Increased exposure to the sun results in drying the skin of its natural oils.