Dry Skin Continued
Bathing or showering for relatively long periods, especially in very hot water, is another cause of dry skin. The hot water acts to deplete the natural oils in the skin and leave it dry. Harsh soaps and detergents can have much the same effect for the same reason. Even toweling off too vigorously after a bath or a shower can leech away precious oils and lead to xerosis. In addition to soaps, other environmental causes of dry skin can include harsh chemicals and even some cosmetics. Heredity could play a part in having dry skin as could medical conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, diabetes, dermatitis or low thyroid function. Dry skin can also be a side effect of some medications including antihistamines and diuretics.
Poor nutrition can also play a big part in dry skin, especially if your diet is low in sebum-enhancing substances such as Vitamin A and the B-complex vitamins. Smoking is also detrimental because nicotine causes blood vessels (including and especially the glands in the skin) to constrict, which can prevent them from getting all of the oxygen and nutrients needed to be healthy; dry, leathery skin can be a result.
Preventative Measures
There are many steps one can take to prevent or reverse the effects of dry skin. Keeping skin properly moisturized is, of course, the first and best level of protection.
Baths and showers shouldn't go excessively long or use excessively hot water (lukewarm water is best), and they should be limited, when at all possible, to no more than once a day in order to better protect and maintain the skin's natural lubricating oils. Towel drying should be gentle and lost oils and moisture should be replenished with topical, non-detergent treatments such as moisturizing cream and bath (or baby) oil. Avoid using harsh soaps.
One can also lessen the chances of having dry skin by keeping living spaces humidified (especially during the winter), by avoiding sudden changes in temperatures and by having proper protection when going out into the elements (warm protective clothing in the winter and a good sunscreen during the sunny summer months).
By Michael Willis
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