It’s a fact – Minnesota winters are not kind to our skin. The sub-zero temperatures, dry air, and lack of natural moisture can make skin feel dry, tight, cracked, or flaky. Luckily, many causes of “winter skin” are well within our control. With some added attention and effort, you can alleviate these symptoms and help your skin feel soft, smooth, and beautiful. Read on as we discuss our solutions for five common winter skin issues.

#1 Dryness

The cold, dry Minnesota air can deplete skin of natural moisture, leaving it red, itchy, and irritated. When the air is consistently cold and lacks humidity, the water in our skin evaporates quickly, giving you that dry, tight, leather-handbag feeling. Unfortunately, doubling up on moisturizer isn’t enough.

Our solution: Stay hydrated. It may sound like a no-brainer but moisturizing from the inside out is the best way to combat dry skin. Nourish your body with healthy foods and beverages, including our best friend, H2O. A healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like fish and flaxseed oil, can replenish your body’s moisture and leave skin looking smooth and supple. Of course, don’t forget to follow a good skincare routine including cleansing, exfoliation at least twice per week, and an ultra-rich, winter-friendly moisturizer.

#2 Flaky Skin

Excessive dryness can often lead to flaky or even cracked skin. Ouch! Again, moisturizers are helpful but when used alone won’t completely alleviate the problem.

Our solution: Exfoliate. Using a good quality exfoliator can remove the damaged top layer of the skin and help facilitate new skin cell growth. Try to avoid using soaps as these contain a high PH, which can lead to more dryness and oftentimes inflammation. Also, if possible, avoid rubbing your skin with a towel as this can exacerbate the problem. Gently blot your skin to dry off.

#3 Irritation and Redness

As with extreme heat in the summer, the harsh winter conditions can cause skin changes resulting in irritation and redness. If you’re not careful, these can last throughout the entire winter. Ugh!

Our solution: Be faithful to your skincare routine. As we spend more time indoors during the colder months, it’s easy to become complacent or even lazy when it comes to taking care of your skin. Don’t be that person. Stay on top of your daily regimen. Use a gentle cleanser to help remove irritants followed by your favorite serum and a heavy moisturizer. If you’re unsure which routine is right for you, contact your Belladerm MedSpa skin care professional for guidance.

#4 Chapped Lips

Lips need just as much moisture as the rest of the body. During the colder months, we tend to lick our lips frequently. It may feel like a good temporary solution, but saliva evaporates and dries out lips. Also, wearing thick matte or long-lasting lipstick can leave your lips dry or cracked.

Our solution: Don’t pout. Apply a lip ointment or lip butter rich in vitamin A or E throughout the day and at night. Lip treatments can also be used under lipstick. However, we recommend switching to a moisturizing lip gloss to combat the drier air. Avoid plumping lip glosses, as they contain irritants that can further dry them out.

#5 UV Damage

Yep, you read that right. The sun’s rays can damage your skin even when it’s -20°. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the snow can reflect up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays, so regular sunscreen use is crucial to decrease your risk of exposure.

Our solution: You know what we’re going to say – Sunscreen!Whether you’re hitting the slopes in Afton or snowshoeing through Theodore Wirth, applying sunscreen is crucial to protect your skin in the winter, even when it’s cloudy. And, speaking of those dark, dreary I-just-want-to-binge-Netflix days, UV rays can still penetrate the clouds. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to all exposed areas of the body. Psst… don’t forget your lips!

Spring will be here before you know it but why not take care of your skin now? The experts at Belladerm MedSpa are ready to assist with all your winter skincare needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call or visit us online at www.belladermmedspa.com.

Brilliant Distinctions® from Allergan® is now Allē℠. The premier online aesthetic rewards program has a new look and even more exciting benefits so you can enjoy your favorite treatments at an even better value. Earn points and save on popular Allergan brands like Juvederm®, CoolSculpting®, and BOTOX® as well as additional non-Allergan in-office treatments from other manufacturers. Read on as we take a tour of Allē – the customer loyalty program designed just for you.

More than a new name

Allē isn’t your mother’s loyalty program (but we think it should be). Pronounced “Al-ee”, it’s a completely personalized, not to mention rewarding, customer experience based on your needs, tastes, and preferences. The offers aren’t just cosmetic. Allē also offers deals on other interests like vacations and theatre tickets. Coupons are built into your customer profile, so you get rewarded on things you already love and there are no pesky codes or emails to clutter your inbox. *Swoon.

Enjoy your points, your way

Everything counts toward your points balance. You can come in for an injectables treatment and earn points toward your next product or procedure. And unlike Brilliant Distinctions, your points never expire if you’re on the A-list otherwise your points expire after one year. Can you say win-win?

The Allē App

Allergan used the latest technology to develop the Allē wallet app, with a seamless user interface and top-notch customer support which makes managing your account easy. Your password is your cell phone number, which eliminates the risk of forgetting and resetting. Belladerm staff can see your point balance in real time, making it simple to purchase your favorite products or services or save them up for future visits. In addition, any gift cards purchased through Allergan for Juvederm, CoolSculpting, and BOTOX, can be entered into the Allē wallet and used at Belladerm.

Joining has never been easier

Joining is a breeze. You can use your existing Brilliant Distinctions information or create a new account if you were not a Brilliant Distinctions member. All Belladerm customers that were in Brilliant Distinctions were automatically migrated over to Allē in September. However, even if you migrated and all your points were transferred, you still need to create your account to ensure your account is set up properly. Once you sign up through the Allē website or with the app, all your information from Brilliant Distinctions will be converted.

Once you sign up through the Allē website, click on “Join” with Brilliant Distinctions or with the app (available for iPhone users in the App Store, coming soon for Android users), all your information from Brilliant Distinctions will be converted. You’re all set!  Please note — if you were Diamond Level in Brilliant Distinctions you are automatically on the A-list in Allē so your points never expire.  If you were not Diamond level your points transferred to Allē’, but you have until September 2021 to use them. 

The gift that keeps on giving

Just in time for the holidays. Get a $100 Allē gift card for just $75 at Belladerm. Allē gift cards can be used on a variety of Allergan Aesthetics products and treatments we offer at our practice. Gift cards purchased directly through Allē go into the wallet.

Ready to get started? Visit www.alle.com to sign up and start saving.

The experts at Belladerm MedSpa are ready to assist with all your winter skincare needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call or visit us online at www.belladermmedspa.com.

It’s hard to believe but winter is just around the corner. The cold, dry Minnesota air can deplete skin of natural moisture, leaving it red, itchy, and irritated. It’s time to start thinking about adjusting your skincare routine so you can feel your best all season long. Read our blog as we discuss helpful tips for healthy winter skin.

Add a humidifier to maximize moisture

A high-quality humidifier will add much needed moisture to the air to keep your skin hydrated during the colder months. With many of us working from home these days, it’s a good idea to run the humidifier in the room where you spend most of your time like the bedroom or in your home office.

Stay hydrated and eat right

This goes without saying. During the winter, the more time we spend indoors with the heat cranked up, the more dehydrated we become. Dry, indoor air can wreak havoc on our skin. Make sure to drink plenty of water and incorporate foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, like fish and flaxseed oil, into your diet.

Apply sunscreen (even on cloudy or gray days)

Yep, you read that right – sunscreen. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the snow can reflect up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays, so regular sunscreen use is crucial to decrease your risk of exposure. Whether you’re hitting the slopes or snowshoeing through a park, applying sunscreen in the winter is just as important as in the summer. And, during those dark, dreary days, UV rays can still penetrate the clouds. Make sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to all exposed areas of the body.

Limit the amount of time in the shower

A long, steamy shower may be tempting when it’s cold outside, but did you know excessively hot water can dry out your skin? The American Academy of Dermatology suggests taking a lukewarm shower for five to ten minutes and avoid washing hands in hot water. Using cool water is just as effective on germs as warm water and much less irritating to the skin.

Change up your skincare regimen

It’s a fact – skin requires more moisture in the winter, so we recommend changing up your skincare regimen when the cold weather hits. Choose gentle, fragrance-free, cream-based cleansers and limit the use of toners and/or astringents. Products that contain alcohol and fragrances can further dry out the skin, so it’s important to use products that help retain natural oils. Don’t forget to apply a rich moisturizer on your face at night to help combat the dryness and keep your skin glowing all season long. Ask your skincare professional for product recommendations during the colder months.

Wear comfortable, breathable fabrics

Many cold-weather fabrics such as wool can exacerbate dry skin, causing redness, itchiness, and discomfort. When you bundle up this winter, opt for layers of light, breathable fabric like cotton or silk under your heavy wool sweater. And don’t forget to protect your hands with a pair of gloves or mittens that won’t irritate the skin.

The experts at Belladerm MedSpa are ready to assist with all your winter skincare needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call or visit us online at www.belladermmedspa.com.