There’s no doubt that living in Minnesota can be brutal during the long snowy winter months. It’s cold, dark and gloomy and you often find yourself zapped of energy, not to mention your skin feels as dry and dehydrated as the desert. You know the feeling. It feels like prickly little needles all over your back, legs, and arms. No matter how much you scratch, itch and apply layers of shea butter the feeling only intensifies. How about those random breakouts that you can’t get under control? Reminiscent of those high school days you’ve long ago forgotten? The dry, frigid Minnesota weather may be to blame. Good news! It’s possible to heal and have healthy glowing skin even in the winter months. It’s important to understand how your skin functions in order to keep you healthy.
Your skin is a big deal- literally. It’s your bodies largest organ and is responsible for several necessary functions when it comes to maintaining your overall health.
How Your Skin Functions:
Protection: Skin acts as a natural barrier protecting you from outside elements, toxins and bugs, such as cold weather and bacteria. It does so, by maintaining a delicate balance between oil, water, and sweat. When this ratio is disrupted from environmental factors such as cold weather, you begin to lose water to the surrounding air which leaves you feeling itchy and dehydrated. At the same time, your skin’s defense mechanisms are weakened leaving you more vulnerable to injury and sickness.
Sensation: Skin has millions of nerve endings that are responsible for your sense of touch, pain, hot, cold, and pressure. Nerve endings in your skin communicate important information to your brain which allows you to determine how to respond to any given situation. Without this important function, you wouldn’t be able to quickly pull your hand away when you touch something hot or be able to communicate with your massage therapist when her pressure is just right.
Temperature Regulation: Ever wonder how your body maintains its perfect 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit temperature? The short answer is your skin! When it’s cold outside, blood vessels constrict, and goose bumps form in an effort to preserve heat to the core of your body.
Secretion: Oil is secreted by your skin to minimize water loss. How many of you subscribe to the belief that oily skin is bad? I’d venture to guess the majority of you reading this post. This is a very common belief, and something I hear almost daily when working with my clients. There are several products on the market that strip the skin of its natural oil which promotes further water loss and dehydration. Too much of anything is never a good thing and maintaining a healthy balance between oil secretion and water loss is key.
There are times; however, when your skin can produce too much oil. Increased stress associated with daily life and hormone imbalances will stimulate your skin and it produces more oil than is necessary under these circumstances. This can lead to additional skin problems during cold weather months in Minnesota when you begin to feel emotionally drained from the long winter season.
Absorption: Product ingredients, water and oxygen are all absorbed through your skin and are imperative in helping you achieve positive overall health results. When your skin is damaged it doesn’t absorb these vital nutrients in the same capacity It’s important to be mindful about what ingredients you’re using and how those ingredients are sourced, as the effects can either be beneficial or harmful to your health.
The skin synthesizes Vitamin D by absorbing sunshine. Vitamin D is helpful in preventing many diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, obesity, seasonal depression and neurological disorders. It’s common to become deficient in Vitamin D living in Minnesota in the winter due to the extended periods of darkness you are exposed to. A Vitamin D supplement may be beneficial to your health.
How Monthly Skincare Treatments Can Help Restore Your Skin Health
For those of you feeling the effects from the cold Minnesota winter, some preventative self-care may be in order. A monthly customized facial or back treatment can be relaxing and therapeutic while restoring your skins health.
Here are several benefits of receiving a customized skincare treatment at Northern Aura Wellness:
Deep cleanses: removes impurities, pollution, dirt and debris. This restores your skin to its natural balance.
Exfoliates: removes dead skins cells which aides in optimal product and nutrient absorption through your skin.
Increases Circulation: boosts immunity and detoxifies your skin and body from the inside out.
Relaxes: calms your senses, nerves and muscle tissue for ultimate stress reduction.
Stimulates: increases your skin functions and chemical processes that are vital to living your healthiest life.
Treats: addresses your skin conditions such as dryness, oiliness, redness, mild acne and blemishes while slowing down the aging process and softening fine lines and wrinkles.
Although dryness, dehydration, and itchy skin are common complaints this time of year, you may be fighting additional skin conditions due to the cold winter environment. There’s no need to suffer while waiting for the return of spring. A Northern Aura Wellness skincare treatment is customized to your specific needs, will restore your skin to its healthiest state while leaving you refreshed and glowing. You’ll leave with a simple, customized wellness plan helping you feel empowered to tackle all your winter skin obstacles.
Learn more about what to expect during a Northern Aura Wellness skincare treatment by visiting the services page on my website.
