DRY SKIN

By Wendy E. Roberts, MD, FAAD

More about Dr. Roberts

How do you know if you have dry skin?

Does your skin feel dry to touch?
Does your skin look ashy? (silver, white flakiness that sits on the skin surface)
Do you see white scratch marks on your skin?
Do you have to lotion more than twice a day to keep moisturized?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may have dry skin.

Dryness is a frequent finding in ethnic skin types particularly African- American and Afro-Carribean descendants
It is a “normal” finding of aging skin. Affecting at least 75% of this age group thus making it the most common skin disorder in the elderly.
Persons therefore 65 and older and of predisposed ancestry are most frequently affected by dry skin
Dry skin in predisposed individuals usually affects the extremities more than the face because sebaceous or oil glands are less numerous in these areas.
The scientific reason for dry skin is decreased moisture in the outer layer of skin because of increased water loss in the outer layers. The skin barrier has a decreased amount of fats.

Tips to avoid Dry Skin

Avoid hot showers, using warm water
Avoid showering more than once a day on a regular basis
Avoid harsh/detergent soaps; instead use moisturizing soaps of a thick creamy consistency
Some skin types which are sensitive should avoid products containing flowers, herb and fragrance
Avoid prolonged skin exposure to chemicals such as chlorine
Avoid prolonged skin exposure to heating devices, fireplaces

Care of Dry skin

Use petrolatum based moisturizers
Moisturize immediately after towel drying which helps the outer skin layer retain moisture.
Reapply body lotion/moisturizer twice to three times per day

Treatments for Dry Skin-Emollients