With temperatures plummeting throughout most of the U.S., I continue to be bombarded with questions surrounding what kind of impact this harsh weather has on the skin.

Surprisingly, many ask if colder temperatures have medicinal or anti-aging benefits – but to date, there are no known anti-aging benefits resulting from very cold temperatures. In fact, low temperatures can make skin dry, raw and irritated. Exposing your skin to cold temperatures (such as winter weather and wind) can promote and contribute to aging.

So, how should you protect your skin during the winter months?

I‘ve always recommended patients use a thicker, richer moisturizer to create a barrier from the elements. I also suggest that patients use moisturizers indoors during the winter months because heated rooms can cause skin to become dry and dehydrated. Using a humidifier is also a good idea.

With that said, it’s important to avoid both extremely hot and extremely cold temperatures due to the negative impact on skin.

But the cold can also be very healing in specific settings. If you are fighting puffiness under or around your eyes, applying a cool compress has soothing effects and can reduce inflammation. Cool compresses may also reduce swelling associated with redness in the eye area.

I also recommend the application of cold compresses for the immediate treatment of a thermal or chemical burn. I recommend putting the affected area in cold water (but not ice water) for up to 30 minutes immediately after the burn. This type of cold treatment has been shown to reduce the total area of the burn as well as its depth.

Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at www.sadickdermatology.com.

With Thanksgiving behind us, we are quickly approaching the holiday season!  There are several skin and body care tips that can help keep you looking your best, while at the same time, keeping your skin healthy and young.

Whether you go on vacation this year or stay near home, you are always exposed to ultraviolet rays when outdoors.  With innovation and advanced technology, we have changed the paradigm to protect your skin against harmful sun damage, free radicals and environmental toxins.  I believe that the best protection is achieved by using a broad-spectrum sunblock (that protects against shortwave UVA and longwave UVB light) along with a high-potency antioxidant cream (containing active agents such as resveratrol, idebenone and vitamin C, and coffeeberry).

Whether you are skiing with your family or on the beach enjoying the sunshine, do not forget that the strongest sun exposure occurs between the hours of 12 noon and 4 pm.  These are the times you should minimize your sun exposure.  If you get sunburned, new red light LED sources are available from your dermatologist that can accelerate healing, reduce redness and decrease the potential for damage to your skin. 

During the winter holiday season, especially in colder climates, our skin gets drier.  So it’s important to stay away from hot showers which dry the skin and to be sure to apply generous amounts of moisturizer to your entire body while your skin is still damp. Moisturizers with SPF are always a good bet because they automatically protect your skin.

There are also several procedures that can make your skin look better with no downtime.  It may be a Botox treatment, filler treatment with Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse or new generation collagen fillers such as Evolence that can get rid of those unwanted folds and lines.  These will all give immediate results and give you a refreshed, youthful appearance.

To make your skin look fresher, consider a light chemical peel, laser peel, microdermabrasion or an Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) photo rejuvenation treatment.  These are all easy, virtually painless, and have little to no downtime.  But remember; you should do such treatments at least two weeks before a big event or celebration. 

Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at www.sadickdermatology.com.