Chicago winters, biting chill, dreary rain, and breathtaking winds not only bring down  our mood, but they can wreak havoc on our skin health as well. The dark days of these colder months can cause our skin to become dry, red, flaky, and inflamed. But how can you keep your complexion luminous and plump throughout the winter? 

Here we reveal tried-and-true practices that will keep your complexion healthy and radiant all winter long.

1. Use SPF 

Winter is not the time to stop using sunscreen; in fact, it may be the time to use it more. Although temperatures drop significantly, the sun still shines and can cause extreme damage to the skin. If there is snow out, it will reflect UV rays, much like sand on the beach. We recommend a reliable sunscreen with at least 30 SPF on exposed skin like the face, neck, and hands. This practice will reduce dry skin and fight the effects of aging.

2: Hydrate

Maintaining your water intake during the winter months is essential to your health. During the warmer months, we drink plenty of water, but as the temperatures drop, it’s easy to neglect hydration. Although perspiration decreases and losing moisture may not be as much of a concern, you should still be drinking at least a couple of liters a day.

3. Switch Up Your Moisturiser

Although increasing water intake is a good move, it won’t by itself save your skin from drying out during the winter. Freezing temperatures can cause much damage, so finding winter skincare products is a must. You should look to facial oils and hydrating serums that amp up your moisture levels and maintain your beautiful skin.

4.   Exfoliate

Exfoliation during the winter months is equally important to both body and face. Many people experience flaky skin during the colder months, and the best way to eliminate this dead skin is to exfoliate. You should exfoliate to increase skin health at least once a week, but don’t overdo it. Too much exfoliation may cause its own problems.

A dry body brush is a great way to exfoliate before you bathe or shower. Long sweeping motions over your torso, legs, and arms will remove dry skin and keep the skin’s circulation active to increase blood flow to the skin and improve its overall health.

5. Dress accordingly. 

This tip is critical—although painfully obvious. Although we tend to dress to impress, don’t let our fashion get in the way of wearing layers when it’s cold. Gloves, scarfs, long sleeves, and leggings, as well as sweaters, thermal undergarments, and coats, will protect your skin from the harsh winter environment. 

For more information about how you can keep your skin looking its best and find out about transformative non-surgical and surgical treatment options, contact us today to schedule your consultation.

 

It’s our muscles that move us—each time you blink your eyes, take a step forward or cram your carryon bag into the overhead bin, it’s your muscles that make it happen. We should do our best to maintain them, both through exercise and innovations like TruSculpt Flex. 

Research from the Biochemistry and Molecular Exercise Physiology Lab at Cal State Fullerton reveals that the amount of muscle on your body’s frame is an indicator of longevity and health. Their 2017 study finds that lean muscle mass is a better predictor of overall health than BMI (body mass index). Echoing this finding, The Lancet published a study in 2015 that suggests grip strength can more accurately predict death by heart disease more than blood pressure. 

Here are four reasons to increase your muscle mass for a healthier, longer life:

1. Muscle Mass Combats Obesity

Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese. That’s why there is a diet section in every lifestyle magazine, and exercise equipment is a hot retail item year-round. When energy intake (calories consumed) outstrips energy expenditure, body fat increases, and muscle mass decreases. 

We burn calories with our 5,000 daily steps and spin cycles, but did you know you also burn calories while “at rest?” Muscle mass contributes to our “resting metabolic rate,” or the amount of energy burned while sitting behind the computer or even sleeping.  

If you’re building your strength, you’ll soon be losing weight. And strengthening any muscles helps. Overall toning achieved through yoga and pilates is just as effective as bicep curls, squats, and bench presses. When you spend 30 to 40 minutes per week in muscle-toning and building activities, you can really enjoy your downtime because you know you’ve optimized your resting metabolic rate.

2. Muscle Mass Helps You Battle Illness

When your body confronts a sickness, it requires protein to fight the illness. As a key structural component for all tissues, protein keeps the organs functioning properly. We get protein from our diet, but it’s stored in our muscles to be distributed to the heart,  liver and other organs as needed. If you have insufficient protein stored in your muscles, the body begins breaking down the muscles themselves to feed the organs.

3. Muscle Mass Contributes to Stronger Bones

Frailty or osteoporosis is a major concern for men and women as they get older. Falls and accidents lead to breaks, hospital stays and a spiral of life-threatening issues. Mobility may become an issue after a mishap, as well. The Mediterranean Intensive Oxidant Study found that lower skeletal muscle mass correlates with weaker bones in older men. Optimal muscle mass, on the other hand,  correlates with stronger bones.

4. Muscle Mass Protects Against Insulin Resistance

Excess fat creates too much glucose in the system. When the human body can’t flush the blood of excess glucose because of fatty free acids, insulin resistance follows. Type 2 diabetes results when insulin resistance becomes significant over time. An increase in muscle mass can prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes by ensuring a better ratio of fat to muscle and reducing glucose levels.

When Diet and Exercise Fall Short

The older we get, the tougher it is to maintain optimal muscle mass. Diet and exercise are crucial to maintaining peak health but may fall short in attaining body contouring goals or removing excess fat from certain parts of the body. TruSculpt Flex is a non-invasive body contouring procedure that uses electrical muscle stimulation to increase Muscle Mass. 

If you would like more information on how you can build muscle and get leaner, contact board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. David Dreyfuss to schedule a consultation today.