People with dry scaly skin suffer from a lot of pain. The skin condition also causes embarrassment which as a result lowers self-esteem. The great news is that there are several ways that can be used to effectively combat the situation. Keep in mind that you’ll be required to embrace an entire lifestyle change for enhanced skin health to be achieved. This means that you’ll generally be required to watch what you eat, drink and even the clothes that you wear.
Take Warm, Steamy Showers
Many people suffering from this condition make the mistake of aggravating it by taking cold showers. The best way for dealing with such skin is to take warm, steamy showers regularly. Dermatologists concur that the hot water assists the skin to preserve its natural moisture. Dry scaly skin will be a thing of the past when you take hot baths and apply appropriate moisturizers afterwards.
Cleanse Tenderly
Avoid using excessive force to scrub the skin while showering. It’s advisable to use gentle soaps. In addition, do not use products that have antibacterial additives since these are harsh ingredients. However, you can use products that contain ceramides, which is an effective cleanser that helps to moisturize the skin. Although exfoliating is great, refrain from using excessive force as this can lead to irritation.
Shave Smartly
The task of shaving hair from unwanted areas can be quite frustrating to many people. This is because one can easily irritate the skin. Dry scaly skin can be prevented when you resort to shaving immediately after showering. Research reveals that hairs are usually softer after baths which consequently simplifies the task. Shaving cream will facilitate a smooth save by aligning the hairs in the preferred direction.
Avoid the Sun
The sun’s UV rays can cause severe damage to skin. Prolonged exposure normally leads to dryness, roughness and wrinkling of the skin. You can reduce the occurrence of such a situation by applying the appropriate sunscreen lotion. It’s also important to dress accordingly. Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect the eyes, ears and neck.
Moisturize Properly
Expect to suffer a lot when you ignore the rules of applying moisturizers. Petroleum jelly is without a doubt the best moisturizing agent. Other equally effective products for dry scaly skin include: Lotions, creams and mineral oils. In essence, people with dry skin should look for ingredients such as glycerin, ceramides and shea butter.
To succeed in moisturizing, you’ll be required to observe the following:
- Wash your body with a soap that does not have perfumes or any other ingredients that can cause irritation.
- When drying the skin, use a soft towel to pat it dry. Do this for a period of not more than 30 seconds in order to trap natural moisture on the skin.
- Use thick moisturizer, like petroleum jelly for instance, immediately after taking a shower. Dry scaly skin will be a thing of the past with consistent use.
- Ensure that you moisturize the hands after every wash. When you do not moisturize, evaporation is bound to occur which will then lead to dryness.