Emerging from winter skin hibernation.

As we rug up during the cold months of winter, our skin can behave like a sleepy old bear and enter hibernation.

During this time, the skin becomes sluggish and slow, and its natural cycle undergoes several changes, which are further challenged by environmental factors such as reduced humidity and colder temperatures.

What do I mean? What changes? Well, skin turnover, oil flow, and blood circulation all slow down, affecting the formation of your skin’s barrier function along with changes in the skin’s pH balance and Microbiome, which could well be described as a winter skin dilemma that leaves the skin looking and feeling dry, rough, sensitive, and not-so-glowy.

Looking at the changes individually, it becomes clear why the skin finds it hard to cope during winter. And, if your skin’s cellular processes are already slowing down thanks to the march of time and, dare I utter the word, ageing, it’s a double catastrophe when winter comes around.

So, to avert the seasonal unravelling of your skin, let’s look under the hood, shall we?

#1 Slowed Cell Turnover

In winter, the process of skin cell renewal slows down a bit. This happens because cold weather reduces blood flow to the skin, making it harder for the body to shuttle nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells.

As a result, those dead skin cells might hang around longer, leaving your skin without its natural glow. While it’s true that a thickening of the top layer of the skin, your stratum corneum, is how the skin protects itself, for you, it can sometimes mean a dull, rough, and dry feeling to the skin; it’s certainly not glowing.

#2 Decreased Sebum Production

Now, onto the oils in your skin, or the lack thereof, during winter. You see, when it gets cold, the sebum within your skin gets a bit sluggish—think of it like butter hardening in the fridge. So, with less oil flowing freely to the surface to lubricate your skin, it might start feeling drier than usual.

#3 Reduced Blood Flow

Your blood vessels are like roads that deliver nutrients and oxygen.

In winter, they become more like the narrow laneways of a European village. It’s called vasoconstriction; sure, it’s your body’s way of keeping you warm, but less blood flowing to the skin means fewer nutrients, leaving your skin looking less radiant.

#4 Compromised Barrier Function

With the drop in temperature and indoor heating turned up a notch, sucking out every drop of moisture in the atmosphere, your skin’s protective barrier doesn’t get the support it needs to function.

This means it can’t hold onto moisture, and you lose more water through your skin. It’s like having tiny cracks in a dam. Eventually, those cracks get bigger, and your skin moisture levels plummet, leading to dehydration and the onset of redness and sensitivity.

#5 Changes in pH and Microbiome.

Lastly, colder weather and changes in your skin’s sebum production can alter its pH level, making it less acidic. This shift can mess with the balance of microbes that usually live on your skin. When your skin’s ecosystem gets out of whack, things don’t function as smoothly, and you might find your skin becoming more prone to irritation.

Don’t get caught with sad, dull, lacklustre skin.

It might seem counterproductive, but to be fair, the skin is just trying to build up a robust protective shield. Even so, the best intentions of this complex system leave us with skin that looks sad, dull, and lacking lustre, and if you wear makeup, it might not look too glowy.

When winter rolls around, it’s a good idea to give your skin a little extra help to keep it hydrated, nourished, and happy until spring makes its welcome return!

Once spring does roll around, you might ponder, besides shielding from your external environment, what can you do to refresh your skin and come out blossoming this spring?

I’m glad you asked! I know of no better glowing refresh than these three tips.

Firstly, up your skincare game; secondly, accompany this extra care with a professional hydrodermabrasion treatment; and thirdly, a series of LED light therapy sessions.

Viola? Renewed!

Let’s look at each tip a little closer. 

Upgrade Your Skincare Routine.

If you usually use a foaming cleanser during summer, it’s time to change to a milk emulsion or oil cleanser.

Remember that your natural oil is not flowing to the surface, so a foaming cleanser will remove more than it should.

This is about balancing the skin as you cleanse away the day, not stripping it and putting more demands on your serum and moisturiser.

If you get this step right, you may need fewer serums that purport to put moisture back into the skin. Just sayin’

Instead of reaching for a hyaluronic acid serum, look for serums and facial oils fortified with peptides and the nutrients Vitamin A, C, and B3 to help restore your skin’s barrier function. Once again, you don’t need a bandaid; you need a long-term solution.

Enter Hydrodermabrasion.

As we transition away from traditional, harsher microdermabrasion techniques, hydrodermabrasion emerges as a gentle yet effective alternative, especially during the harsh winter months. This innovative treatment uses a diamond-tipped wand to gently exfoliate the skin while infusing it with nourishing serums tailored to address specific skin concerns.

Treatment Process and Benefits:

• Gentle Exfoliation: Hydrodermabrasion removes dead skin cells and other debris that can make your skin look dull. This gentle exfoliation process helps to smooth and refine the skin’s surface, making it appear more radiant and youthful.
• Serum Infusion: Alongside exfoliation, the skin is infused with hydrating serums that deep moisturisation and rejuvenation. This dual-action treatment is particularly beneficial in winter when the skin needs extra hydration to combat dryness.
• Customisable Treatments: Your skincare professional will select a cocktail of serums based on your specific skin type and concerns, whether it’s hyperpigmentation, dehydration, premature ageing, sensitivity, or acne-prone conditions. This customisation makes hydrodermabrasion an exceptional targeted treatment.

Reviving Winter Skin with Hydrodermabrasion:

Hydrodermabrasion machines are particularly beneficial for reviving skin from its winter-induced dormancy. The improved blood circulation from the treatment helps to invigorate and awaken the skin, restoring hydration and elasticity lost in the dry winter air.

• Improved Circulation: The mechanical action of the diamond tip wand stimulates blood flow, enhancing the transport of oxygen and nutrients to the skin. This not only helps to shake your skin out of winter hibernation but also supports overall skin health and vitality.
• Strengthened Barrier Function: By infusing the skin with essential nutrients and hydrators, hydrodermabrasion helps to reinforce the skin’s natural barrier. This is crucial for protecting against winter’s harsh environmental effects, helping to keep the skin resilient and less susceptible to damage.

Enhanced Skincare Results:

Following up hydrodermabrasion with LED light therapy can enhance the benefits, leading to impressive results. This combination therapy ensures that your skin recovers from winter’s toll and emerges smooth, radiant and hydrated.

If you follow a hydrodermabrasion treatment with a supporting treatment like LED Light Therapy, your skin will blossom like a spring bloom.

LED Light Therapy for Winter Skin.

During winter, when our blood circulation tends to slow down, LED Light Therapy is your ally in enhancing the overall health of your skin and improving nutrient transport to the dermal layer.

The MediLUX LED light therapy machine offers five distinct wavelengths, each targeting specific skin concerns, ensuring a customised treatment for various skin needs.

Light Wavelengths and Their Benefits:

• Blue light is optimised for combating acne by targeting bacteria and reducing inflammation, making it perfect for those prone to breakouts.
• Green light works wonders for improving overall skin tone and clarity, helping lighten hyperpigmented spots and even skin colour.
• Yellow light focuses on enhancing the surface texture of the skin and boosting hydration, which is crucial during the dry winter months.
• Red and near-infrared lights penetrate deeper into the skin layers, activating cellular energy and triggering collagen synthesis. This process is vital for skin resilience and helps counteract the signs of ageing by firming and tightening the skin.

Addressing Winter Skin Concerns with Red Light:

Reduced blood circulation in winter can leave skin looking dull and tired. The red light at 633nm is particularly effective during the cold months, actively combating the harsh effects of winter weather. The LED Machines effectively boosts circulation, bringing a surge of nutrients and oxygen back to the skin. This revitalisation helps counter the dull, sallow tone often experienced during colder months.

Moreover, the anti-inflammatory properties of the MediLUX red light are invaluable for reducing winter-related inflammation and sensitivity. This soothing effect helps maintain a calm and comfortable skin surface, free from the irritation and redness induced by cold, dry air.

Long-Term Benefits:

Red light LED therapy does more than temporarily enhance the skin’s appearance—it fortifies the skin from within, making it more resilient against the harsh realities of winter and better equipped to manage everyday environmental stressors. This treatment ensures lasting benefits beyond winter by stimulating collagen production and enhancing skin barrier function.

Now’s the Time to Wake up Your Winter Skin.

As the winter chill begins to fade and signs of spring emerge, it’s the perfect time to rejuvenate your skin and prepare it for the warmer days ahead.

By incorporating advanced treatments like hydrodermabrasion and MediLUX LED light therapy into your skincare routine, you can confidently combat the effects of winter and stimulate your skin’s natural healing and rejuvenating processes.

So now is the time to wake up your winter skin! With proper skin care practices guided by a skincare professional, your skin can flourish all year round, reflecting vitality and radiance from within.

See you next time,

This article was brought to you in partnership with beauty suppliers, The Global Beauty Group. If you’d like to learn about any of the technologies discussed in this article or to find a treatment provider in your area, please call 1300 006 607 or visit their website.