Archives for December 2021

We all want to capture picture perfect moments and why not look our best doing them. With the holiday season upon us find out the do’s and don’ts in looking your best in these fun, festive photos .

Blush might be the most photogenic makeup item you can use this holiday season. It does wonders to offset the camera flash that can make you look washed out.  

 

Do Exfoliate 

We can all use a little help shedding old, dull skin and ringing in the holiday glow. That’s why exfoliants are especially helpful this time of year when we want to combat winter flakiness and look our best in photos. We recommend SkinCeuticals Micro-Exfoliating Scrub from our West Dermatology Shop. 

 

A glow that comes from the inside out is the best type of glow. That’s why we recommend eating lots of fruits and vegetables during the week that you want to look fabulous in holiday photos. The antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals and make your skin glowy. Although any fruit or vegetable will do the trick, foods especially high in antioxidants include avocados and sweet potatoes.  

 

Plump, dewy skin will improve your holiday photos when you maximize your moisture on the days leading up to a big event. We recommend trying SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream. Shop HERE. Try switching out your light summer moisturizer to something richer and creamier to help combat the dry winter air. Running a humidifier is also helpful, especially next to your desk during the day or your bed as you sleep at night. Ditch the sugary, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks for plenty of hydrating water instead.  

 

Remember “arms up” in photos—whether they’re around someone’s shoulder or on your hips, anything is better than hanging down at your sides. Instead of facing head-on into a picture, angle your shoulders to the side. Stretch your head away from your neck and then tilt your head for a sharper-looking jawline. 

 

The holidays are about sparkle, which often shows up in the makeup pallets released this time of year. Glimmer is everywhere, from eyeshadow to lip gloss and everything in between. The problem is that shine can distort your features in a photo and make them look bigger than they are. This works if you use it sparingly by choosing to accentuate one feature. But avoid sparkly makeup all over your face if you want to look your best in photos.  

 

They’re filled with light-reflective particles that, when a flash hits them, bounce around wildly. These blurring powders are fine in natural light where they blur imperfections—but they are the enemy of the camera flash. In photos, they make your skin look white and chalky where you apply the powder. So, it’s best to avoid high-definition powders during the flash-happy holidays. 

 

It’s a bad idea to get even a non-invasive procedure like fillers done in the same week as a major event (like a holiday party). Your skin needs time to settle after the inevitable bruising and swelling set in. The last thing you want is to cover up bruises while also applying your holiday makeup. The same is true for laser procedures. It takes time for your skin to heal, so plan those procedures a month ahead of time.  

 

You don’t want your makeup to look too contoured. Instead, use a light hand to bring out the best in your features. For example, use a circular motion to brush on bronzer just below the apples of your checks and up toward your temples. This will bring out your cheekbones in a more natural way than a complete face-paint job.   

 

Your eyebrows do for your face what a frame does for a picture. They accentuate your facial features and help you look finished and polished. So don’t forget to shape and fill in your brows for holiday pictures.  

 

We hope you have fun with your holiday photo taking this season! As always, if you have any questions regarding your skin health or want to schedule an in-clinic appointment with one of our board-certified dermatologists, don’t hesitate to give us a call today!

When the colder months approach and we start reaching for our heavy coats, the moisture levels in our skin drops. For many of our patients, dry and itchy skin is the most unpleasant part of the winter season. Everything from cold wind chill to hot water showers and baths can make our skin feel dried out.

For these patients (and anyone with dry skin), we recommend a few simple morning routine adjustments to get you back to feeling hydrated and comfortable. Some of our insights are a little surprising to some—for example, hot showers actually make dehydration worse! Read on to see our tips for keeping skin hydrated and happy all winter long. 

Take shorter, cooler showers: The last thing you want to do on a cold winter’s night is take a cold shower. We get it! Instead of turning the nozzle completely, consider adjusting it just slightly. Before you bathe, close the door to the bathroom so the steam gets trapped inside and you benefit from the extra moisture. Keep your showers to 10 minutes or less and use warm water instead of hot. When it’s time to lather up, use a gentle cleanser, but don’t use too much product, since that can dry skin. 

Moisturize right after showering: Your skin absorbs moisture most readily right after it’s been washed, so apply product right away. For dry skin, creams are more restorative than lotions, which tend to be on the thin side. We recommend West Dermatology Lipid Replenishing Cream. Shop HERE.

Wear a layer underneath wool clothing: Though it’s a time-tested material for keeping warm on cold winter days, wool can irritate your skin and cause itchiness. Wearing an undershirt beneath your favorite sweater can keep you from chafing. 

Apply sunscreen every morning: If you’ve been with West Dermatology for a while, then you probably saw this piece of advice coming. We suggest that everyone wear sunscreen daily, even in the winter. Sunburns are drying to skin, and a sunscreen with SPF 30-plus (along with protective clothing and sunglasses) is the best way to stave off UV damage. We recommend EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40. Shop HERE.

Drink more water: Hydration starts on the inside. Consider having a glass of water with breakfast instead of your usual coffee or tea, and your skin could reap rewards.

If you’re following the tips above and your skin’s still feeling dry, or if you simply want personalized suggestions, we’re here for you. Just make an appointment and we’ll help you take your skin from flaky and dry to firm, hydrated and smooth.