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| Photo by @ohsnapshecandraw |
Skin care can range from anti-aging beauty routines to tending to radiation burns from cancer treatments. Skin can be taken for granted until unfavorable blemishes pop up, rashes take surface, or wrinkles begin to form. Presently, we are living in a very unique and historical time. While my skin and your skin may be under the radar, pleasantly unchanged as May passes us by, others may be experiencing something different.
Healthcare workers are facing a new problem. Those on the front lines are pouring their energy into this pandemic battle, and there are so many side effects that have been brought to light. I would like to begin this blog post with a giant THANK YOU. Thank you to the physicians, the nurses, the nurse’s aides, all the way to housekeeping and the cafeteria workers. There is no fight without a whole army unit.
Now, let me ask you a question…
What accessory is it that these heroes are sporting the moment they walk through the hospital doors to the moment they leave? If you guessed ‘masks’, you guessed right and won free Botox! (just kidding, I had to add some comic relief lol) As a nurse in the ICU for 8 years myself, it is second nature to practice skin care every 2 hours or less on my patients. That is the gold standard backed up by EBP (evidence based practice). If you do not turn your patient from one side to the other side with a pillow or “wedge” to relieve pressure from just “laying” in the hospital bed, there is a HUGE risk for skin breakdown aka “bed sores”. Therefore, frequent turning and weight manipulation, barrier creams, hydration checks, and skin assessments are performed during a 12 hour shift. Interestingly enough, healthcare professionals are finding themselves in a unique situation, where THEY are now at risk for skin breakdown. Why? They are essentially wearing masks for 12 hours straight!
A focused phone meeting with one of my skin guru estheticians, Angela, explored what can be done to prevent or repair the risk factor of skin breakdown secondary to frequent mask use. We have 2 fabulous estheticians in my office, Jaclyn and Angela, that I turn to first for any type of advice pertaining to skin. I learn something new every day, and today was a perfect example. Of course, whenever I am given amazing information, I research it to find the studies to back it up (haha). Does anyone else do the same thing? Anyway, here is the most pertinent information from our conversation that can do a world of wonder for my frontline peeps. For my general public friends out there…this is great information as well. I hope you will gain something from this post, share it with a friend or family member who may benefit from it, and save it to your memory for a rainy day.
Let’s dive in!
The 2 most important things to ask yourself…
Are you dehydrated?
OR
Are you dry?
I know…you are probably thinking the same thing I was when Angela first asked me that question. There is actually a big difference between dry and dehydrated skin, yet both tend to feel the same—just plain dry. However, when your skin feels dry you may actually just be dehydrated and in need of water. Dryness refers to a skin type, while dehydration refers to a skin condition (American Spa 2018).
If you have a dry skin type, it means you’re lacking oil (American Spa 2018). You were born this way, and you’re dry everywhere else on your body, including hands, scalp, and legs. When you put on moisturizers and lotions, chances are they soak up fairly quickly.
If you have a dehydrated skin condition, your skin is lacking water (American Spa 2018). This can be caused by a number of factors including makeup, diet, incorrect product use, illness, not caring for yourself properly, or even weather. Both can occur simultaneously!
Here’s where it gets tricky: when skin is dehydrated, it creates more oil to make up for the missing water (American Spa 2018). This can cause breakouts, irritation, and dry patches. In fact, skin can even feel oily and dry at the same time.
Hopefully, that helped to clear some things up so that we can move on. So, in the case of frequent mask use, what does Angela suggest?
Try to decide if you are dehydrated or dry (given the information and hints above).
If you are *DEHYDRATED*….
1. Alkaline water
-Who would have thought?
a. 1/2 body weight in ounces
b. Disease and illness is less likely to survive alkaline conditions
c. BRANDS recommended by Angela (click on the brand name below to shop for alkaline water):
i. Hydra8
ii. Essentia
My research on alkaline water for hydration…. (for the full articles see my references list)
According to a recent article it was demonstrated that mineralization and alkalization properties of mineral water are important factors influencing acid-base balance and hydration in athletes. The purpose of the study cited was to investigate the effects of drinking different types of water on urine pH, specific urine gravity, and post-exercise lactate utilization in response to strenuous exercise (Chycki et al 2017) . In conclusion, the athletes hydrated with alkaline, low mineralized water demonstrated favorable changes in hydration status in response to high-intensity interval exercise with a significant decrease of specific urine gravity, increased urine pH and more efficient utilization of lactate after supramaximal exercise (Chycki et al 2017). Consumption of AK water was also found to be associated with improved acid-base balance (i.e., an alkalization of the blood and urine) and hydration status when consumed under free-living conditions (Heil 2010).
2. Hyaluronic Acid
-HA is naturally occurring in our bodies. It is responsible for attracting and retaining moisture. As we age, the amount of HA we produce decreases. It has been used to treat burns, bed sores, wounds, skin ulcers.
-Find yourself a great HA product (Click on the brand name below to shop HA products for dehydrated skin)
According to an article in Dermato-Endocrinology, youthful skin retains its turgor, resilience and pliability, among others, due to its high content of water. Daily external injury, in addition to the normal process of aging, causes loss of moisture. The key molecule involved in skin moisture is hyaluronic acid (HA) that has unique capacity in retaining water (Papakonstantinou 2012).
BRANDS recommended by Angela:
i. B-Pep by Davis Rx
ii. Renew Serum by Nugenisis (Davis CPS)
iii. HA5 by Skin Medica (Davis CPS)
iv. Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum by Neutrogena (Over The Counter)
If you are *DRY*….
1. Oils
(Click on the oils below to shop for dry skin)
c. Argan oil
d. Jojoba oil
e. Rose hip oil
f. YOU DO NOT WANT ANYTHING WITH:
i. Mineral oil
ii. Petroleum
iii. Parabens
Why?? Think of these as cheap ways for companies to “fluff” up their product. The problem with these additives (that can be found in even some of the most expensive skin care products…so READ the ingredients first) is that it sucks up the oils and can make your skin even more dry!
If you are having *SKIN BREAKDOWN*….
You need a barrier!
Are you starting to notice blanchable redness (when you press down and release on the red area it goes from red, to normal skin color, to red again)? Non-blanchable redness (when you press down and release on the red area it stays red)? Man, even stage 2 status (the top layer of non-blanchable skin starts to slough off)??! We need to add a barrier before and during your shift!
*IMPORTANT*: If you are beginning to notice constant redness, skip the HA products and go straight to using oils and barrier creams
Barrier protection recommended by Angela:
(Click on the brand name to get what you need)
a. This one is a home run. There’s even a “touch free” applicator! Just rub it on the areas the mask will touch. Nothing fancy, nothing expensive, it just works.
a. I would be careful with this one. Just know your allergies.
*To PREVENT skin breakdown: Hydrate, moisturize with HA, and if you still start to notice mild chafing ADD a barrier cream*
I linked some waist totes (aka the ever fashionable and timeless “fanny packs”) to carry your self-care during your shift. I’m sure everyone’s scrub pockets are exploding these days, so why not start a trend if you haven's already?? Not only can it carry your self-care, but your patient meds, pens, granola bar (to scarf down if you get a second to pee), and more.
Click on the photo below to shop for all the essentials listed in this post, and for the Davis CPS Rx products, click the Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery tab in the menu to inquire.
I hope this was helpful! As always, if you have any questions for me, send me a message via the contact tab on my blog at www.NurseSara.com. If you have any questions for our estheticians, you are welcome to send them my way as well, or you can click on the Davis Cosmetic Plastic Surgery tab in the menu of my blog page at www.NurseSara.com and shoot a message over to them that way. Stay safe and positive!
Xoxo,
References:
"Remember, your skin is your BEST accessory!" - Angela Cyrus-Fowler
Sara
References:
American Spa. (2018, November 27). Dehydrated Skin vs. Dry Skin: How to Tell the Difference. Retrieved from https://www.americanspa.com/estheticians/dehydrated-skin-vs-dry-skin-how-tell-difference
Chycki, J., Zając, T., Maszczyk, A., & Kurylas, A. (2017). The effect of mineral-based alkaline water on hydration status and the metabolic response to short-term anaerobic exercise. Biology of Sport, 3, 255–261. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2017.66003
Heil, D.P. Acid-base balance and hydration status following consumption of mineral-based alkaline bottled water. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 7, 29 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-7-29
Papakonstantinou, E., Roth, M., & Karakiulakis, G. (2012). Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermato-Endocrinology, 4(3), 253–258. doi: 10.4161/derm.21923s
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