Reducing Dry Skin

Reducing Dry Skin

by Rick Mattoon

The skin is the largest organ of the body. Although the skin is less complicated than most other organs, it is still an architectural marvel as it covers the entire body and accounts for about 7 percent of our total weight.

The skin has three main functions--to protect the tissues beneath from injury, from invasion by bacteria and from drying out; to inform the body of changes in environment through a network of specialized nerve sense organs; and, to keep the temperature of the body constant.

Sebum is a substance that the body secretes onto the skin to prevent moisture or water loss from the underlying tissues. Sebum production varies from person to person, but frequent washing with soaps or detergents--or exposure to dry, warm air similar to that from a tanning unit without the proper use of tanning or skin care products--can dry out the skin and leave it rough and flaky.

An Easy Fix

Dry skin is one of the most common skin problems and it is also one of the most easily resolved.

Surprisingly, the problem is usually only skin deep. When a person has a loss of sebum and experiences dry skin, only the skin's paper-thin outer layer, the stratum corneum, is dry and literally lacking in water. Underneath this thin layer of dead skin are deeper, living layers of tissue that are always in need of moisture.

The solution for dry skin is often simple. You need to get and keep more water in the stratum corneum, because water--and only water--will transform it into a smooth and flexible surface. Here are some tips to follow:

• Use a moisturizer before, during and after your tanning session, and whenever skin feels dry. Also, applying moisturizers to damp skin immediately after you bathe will help seal moisture in the stratum corneum.
• If you are sensitive to perfumes, you may want to avoid moisturizers that contain perfumes.
• Don't bathe for more than 15 minutes. Ironically, soaking for long periods of time dehydrates skin because it has a tendency to wash away "moisture-sealing" sebum. Quick showers are always best.
• Use a gentle, moisturizing cleanser or body wash as part of your skincare regime.
• Your face may require a different skincare program than the rest of your body. This is because it is possible to have an oily facial complexion while also having itchy, flaky, bone-dry skin on your legs.

The Perils Of Winter

Although skin dryness can be a problem anytime of year, the cold air and low humidity of winter can be especially rough on your skin. With an increase in dry, wintry air comes a decrease in skin moisture. When the water content of your skin drops below 10 percent, it gets rough, chaps and scales. The skin's surface normally contains 10 percent to 20 percent water. With this decrease of water, your skin loses flexibility, itches and often cracks.

In addition to proper moisturization in the winter months, use a humidifier, especially if you constantly are exposed to dry, heated indoor air. This will help sustain proper levels of water within the skin.

Also don't forget to watch kids' skin closer during the winter months. In addition to the same cold, dry air that adults are susceptible to during winter weather, kids are more prone to experience dry skin because they often have very little sebum secretion and, therefore, dryer, more sensitive skin.

Keeping That Tan Longer

During normal skin conditions, a person loses millions of dead skin cells every day. These are the same cells that hold the oxidized melanin bronzed during the tanning process. This normal process literally gives us an entirely new outer layer of skin about every 30 days.

When your skin is lacking proper moisture, the flaking or rubbing-off of skin cells is accelerated. It is through proper moisturization that we are able to enhance--and keep--sour beautiful golden tan longer.

Having a better understanding of skin and its important role as the body's largest organ is an essential part of being an indoor tanning professional. Clients rely on you and your staff to help them avoid possible skin problems that are easily avoidable.

Dry skin can be prevented--or at least minimized--through simple skincare regimes like those mentioned in this article. If a dry skin problem doesn't clear up in a week or two, you should be sure and have your customer contact their health care provider.