There is no denying that winter can be harsh on our skin. Tightness, dullness and skin sensitivity often occurs during winter when the skin is exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations which can compromise the skin’s natural barrier. Jumping from hot to cold air, stripping the skin from essential oils when taking a bath in boiling water and harsh products can quickly compromise the skin’s natural barrier. A compromised skin barrier can lead to a host of problems such as dehydration, irritation, flaking and redness.

So, how can you protect your skin this winter and what treatment can help keep it healthy and glowing all year long? We talk to Jacqueline Kruger, our aesthetic therapist, to find out what Longiva can do to help your banish winter skin.

1. Good Skincare Starts at Home

A good skincare routine is essential, especially in winter when the skin can be more sensitive and prone to dryness and dehydration. I advise my clients to use a night cream that’s a step up from their summer moisturiser like Neostrata’s Bionic Face Cream or Dermaceutic’s Hyal Ceutic face cream. Both these moisturisers contain ingredients such as vitamin E, Hyaluronic Acid and Lactobionic Acid that help to restore the skin’s natural lipid barrier.

2. Don’t Forget to Exfoliate

My clients often complain of dullness in winter and that’s because we start to neglect exfoliation this time of the year. Chemical exfoliation is the best option as it can be tailored to an individual client’s skin and concerns. We can do a series of light chemical peels to slough off dead and dry skin that’s usually the cause of dullness and uneven skin texture. Targeted and light peels when done by an experienced aesthetician can also help repair a compromised skin barrier. At Longiva we also offer stronger skin resurfacing treatments that address concerns at a deeper cellular level in a shorter period of time. We use the Retipeel to target hyperpigmentation and dramatically rejuvenate the skin. This treatment is very effective, painless and aimed at slowing down skin ageing and best to do during in  winter.

3. Use Sun Protection Even in Winter

Yes, you need to apply your sun protection even in winter. Just because we don’t get as much heat from the sun, it doesn’t mean that the exposure to its ultraviolet rays are less. UV light is the leading cause of premature ageing of the skin. At Longiva we recommend and stock SUNSKIN’s UV Derm SPF 50 which blocks UVA, UVB, blue light, infrared and visible light. It also contains vitamin E and Ubiquinone, a powerful antioxidant that fights the ageing effects of harmful light.

4. Watch What You Eat and Drink

What we eat and drink affects the health of our skin. In winter you can increase your Omega 3 intake by including more oily fish, avocados and nuts into your diet. Sip on herbal teas and limit your caffeine and alcohol which act as diuretics and dehydrate the body and skin. Stay away from foods that are overly processed and high in sugar and salt too.

5. Autumn and Winter is Laser Season

If you really want to dramatically address pigmentation and premature ageing, then now is the time to start laser or radio-frequency treatment. Because these treatments require clients to avoid directs sunlight, autumn, winter and early spring is ideal as our UV exposure is at its lowest during these months. At Longiva we offer our clients a variety of skin rejuvenating treatments using laser and radio-frequency that addresses skin laxity, pigmentation and skin texture. The best results are achieved after a series of treatments, so the sooner you start the sooner you will see results.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER

This month our exclusive offer will make your skin glow. Book a microneedling treatment at Longiva Healthy Ageing Institute in the month of June and receive a FREE SUNSKIN UV Derm SPF 50 to the value of R180! Microneedling, also called collagen induction therapy, gives incredible results leaving your skin brighter, tighter and smoother skin after every treatment.

For more information on our skin treatments or to book with Jacqueline, please call us today.