Dry or dehydrated skin....aren't they the same? While they are similar and sometimes overlap, they are different with different causes and treatments.
Dry skin is caused from a lack of oil production. The causes can be genetic (some people are simply predisposed to have dry skin), powdery makeup (absorbs the oil in the skin)or more commonly, aging skin. Oil production slows down as we age resulting in dryer skin. A common misconception when it comes to dry or oily skin, is that no oil at all is healthiest. There should be a light layer of oil on the skin (the hydrolipid film) that also contains moisture from the air and perspiration. Another common misconception is that an oily t-zone means you have oily skin. The t-zone actually may just be producing more oil than other areas of the skin, which is healthy. This usually results in clients unnecessarily using harsh cleaners or scrubs that dry up the t-zone and strip the other areas, causing dry skin.
The symptoms of dry skin include a lack of the hydrolipid film, skin that is dull, tight and showing signs of premature aging.
Dehydrated skin on the other hand is caused from a lack of water in the skin. There are two different types of skin dehydration basically relating to how deep it goes. Epidermal dehydration affects the upper layer of the skin, usually presenting with small lines that form when the skin is manipulated, scales may also be present. Dermal dehydration penetrates deeper, resulting in deeper more visible wrinkles and/or sagging skin.
Dehydrated skin can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which we can control. Common causes include smoking, medications, poor diet, illness (rosacea is a common cause of epidermal dehydration), seasonal changes and sun damage. A common misconception with dehydrated skin is the "cure" is to simply drink more water. While water is vital to healthy skin, this alone will not prevent skin dehydration or fix it if it is already present.
Here are some of the most common treatment options for dry and dehydrated skin:
Oil Infusions
This option is effective in helping correct epidermal dryness. A great way to offer this service is to start with a gentle cleansing, toning and exfoliation followed with a noncomedogenic oil. Once the oil is applied to the skin, have the client sit with steam for 10-15 minutes to allow the heat and moisture from the steam to aid the oil absorption.
Here are some oils your clients will love:
- Natural Skin Care Oil - by Aura Cacia
- AMBER PRODUCTS Organic Facial Oil
- ESS Facial Massage Oil
- Oil by LIFE FLO
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy has been used to increase the skin's oil production and perspiration, enhancing the hydrolipid film, making it a great treatment for dry and dehydrated skin.
Here are some effective units to introduce red light therapy into your service menu
Handheld Mini LED Light Therapy with Red, Blue and Yellow Photons by SCF
Jantine Infrared Skin Care Lamp with Floor Stand by HANS Equipment
Paragon Microcurrent-Red Light Therapy
Meishida Multi Wave LED Light Therapy System
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is one of the most effective ingredients for skin hydration. It binds over 10,000 times its own weight in water! It doesn't get much better than that!
Making sure your staff are speaking with your clients about their habits and performing a skin analysis will help ensure they provide the best possible treatment options for each client.
You know the saying, knowledge is power!