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Dry Skin: Yes it is winter

© Larshal Veronica Vance

We are in the month of January and you know what that means. Cold weather, the flu and for a lot of people dry skin. We all know what it means to have dry skin, it means that you skin cracks, your skin has lost a lot of moisture and it, looks ashy and in some cases the cracked skin can lead to more serious problems such as infection. (Lochridge, 1999).

Your skin has two parts, the epidermis, and the dermis. The epidermis is outer waterproof, protective layer. The dermis is the inner layer that gives the skin its strength and elasticity. (Edelson, 2002). When you lose moisture your skin begins to show it in the form of dry skin. And in some cases, especially with African Americans you can develop ashy skin.

Ashy skin, which is called keritanized dehydrated disorder, is the worse form of dry skin because it is so visible. I remember my mother always talking about children who had white elbows and knees. She had a saying “no child of mine is going to be ashy.” And this condition is more visible on African Americans because it clashes with our skin tone. The most important question is how do you get rid of it.

One of the most important things is to drink water. It helps to build moisture within your body. That is common knowledge but you also need a skin care regimen. An article on the Solution Center’s website talks about a regimen for African Americans skin who have ashy skin for your face and body.

Face- use a gentle exfoliation on a daily to weekly basis with a mild scrub. Follow with a creamy, rinseable cleaning lotion or mild, non-alkaline cleansing gel. Next apply a hydrating emulsion or liposome moisturizer and allow it to penetrate for a few minutes. Make sure the moisture has sunscreen.

Body- use a non-alkaline body shampoo, superfatted soap or unscented moisturizing bath soap. The bath or shower water must be warm, and never hot and not for to long. Pat your body dry but don’t dry your skin thoroughly because while your skin is still damp, apply an emollient or lotion to trap all the newly aborsed moisture into the skin. (Leverette, 2001)

Basically if you have dry skin during this time of the year it is important to use creams and/or lotion so you wont have to worry about conditions such as ashy skin. It not a very attractive condition to have and your skin will take you by being smooth and healthy. Which is good because soon the summer will be here and then there will be nowhere to hide.

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