The weather is turning colder, and while winter might mean cosy nights and festive celebrations, it also brings a whole realm of skin concerns. While we might be ready to unleash our favourite winter wardrobes and wrap up warm in cute knits and chic coats, it is critical we prepare our skin for the cold weather too.

The drop in temperature, combined with windy days and the heating on high, can cause havoc with your complexion. At Hans Place, we are experts in skincare and aesthetics and have the tools and advice to keep your skin glowing this season. Read on to find out what causes the most common winter skin complaints and how to protect your complexion.

5 Most Common Winter Skin Complaints

There are many issues that winter can bring to your skin. The top five most common winter skin complaints are:

1. Dryness: During winter, the skin can quickly become dried out and damaged. The combination of cold air outside and excessive use of heating inside work to zap all the moisture from the face. If you often suffer from dry, flaking skin, this problem will only be exasperated during the winter months.

   When it is cold outside, it is likely you’ll have the central heating on at home. Heating might keep you toasty, but it also evaporates the water from the skin quickly, leaving it dry and dull.

2. Red Nose: Redness can actually be a problem for the entire face during winter, but the most prominent area for this is the nose. Your nose is more exposed to the elements than any other part of your face, and the effects can be seen easily. This part of the face often becomes red when we are very cold, and no one wants to be sporting a Rudolph looking during winter.

   Not only that, but it is more likely you will pick up a cold or flu in the cold months. Sniffling and sneezing can cause the area around the nose to become red, sore, and dry.

3. Rosacea: For many people, Rosacea is a year-round issue, but for others, it only comes out during winter. It is a very common skin condition that is often flared up by extreme weather. Rosacea affects people differently; for some, the skin goes very red, but it causes bumps and dryness for others.

   A lot of individuals with Rosacea will experience flare-ups in very cold, dry weather. On top of this, everyone is less likely to apply SPF in the winter, and exposure to UV can worsen Rosacea. Even when the weather is cold, the sun can have a damaging impact on the skin.

4. Sensitivity: Sensitive skin is a common complaint during winter. As the temperature drops and humidity is low, a lot of skins moisture drops as well. Less moisture in the skin can cause tiny cracks to form, resulting in increased sensitivity. Combined with harsh winds and the threat of rain and snow, complexions are often left feeling a little worse for wear.
5. Chapped Lips: No one is exempt from chapped lips in cold weather. It is an issue that burdens us all when the temperature drops. Chapped lips are caused by the lips drying out because of a lack of moisture. This is caused by low temperatures and moisture-zapping central heating.

When the lips get dry, the result is cracks and breaks which not only look unsightly but can be painful or uncomfortable.

Treatments To Winterproof Your Skin

Preparation is key when it comes to protecting your skin from the winter elements. It is always best to prevent your skin from these common concerns instead of fixing them after the damage is done. While a good skincare routine is the best place to start when it comes to winterproofing your skin, there are a few treatments which can help too. Our most popular winter treatments are:

• Profhilo: Dryness is often the reason behind many other skin complaints, including sensitivity, a red nose and Rosacea. Profhilo is an excellent treatment for combatting dryness and moisturising the skin from the inside out. It is a type of powerful moisturiser which is injected directly into the skin tissue instead of being applied topically.

The result is radiant, moisturised and glowing skin, no matter the time of year.

• Dermal Fillers: When you first think of Dermal Fillers, you might think of altering the structure and appearance of facial features. Fillers can also be used to rejuvenate and plump the skin. Chapped lips can often be prevented with dermal fillers because the lips are left well moisturised.

Because Dermal Fillers use hyaluronic acid, they help the skin to naturally restore moisture and volume.

• INTRAcel: INTRAcel is an innovative treatment that rejuvenates the skin and encourages collagen production. It can combat dryness, sensitivity, and Rosacea and also has powerful anti-ageing properties.

Radio frequency, micro-needling, and fractional treatments are all combined into this one simple treatment with impressive results.

• Renuvion: Regular exposure to the cold weather will take its toll on your complexion over time. If you are often suffering from dryness, Rosacea, or other skin concerns in winter, it can speed up the ageing process and leave your skin looking tired.

Renuvion is a powerful treatment for improving the tone and tautness of the skin. If the skin around your neck and face is starting to sag, Renuvion can help create an instant firming effect.

• Obagi: Many winter skin concerns can be treated at home with skincare products. Obagi skincare is made from prescription-grade ingredients, offering impressive results which can’t be achieved from over the counter products. The specific treatment dose is decided and monitored by Dr Mike Comins at Hans Place so that you can use Obagi safely and achieve the best results.

Obagi skincare includes ingredients such as Tretinoin and Hydroquinone 4%, which help to increase cellular turnover in the skin.

For more information or to book a free consultation, contact our expert team today.