Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/191415
including the ones listed below—may need to be medically managed. When in doubt, refer out! ECZEMA/XEROSIS The skin may be cracked, crusted, dry, flaking, itchy, red, and/or scaly. Eczema is a chronic skin inflammation, while xerosis is extreme skin dryness with numerous possible causes. Both are worsened by cold, dry weather. PSORIASIS This condition happens when skin cells are overproduced, forming scaly patches and cracked skin. ROSACEA Rosacea flare-ups can be caused by emotional changes such as depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and stress—all common this time of year. Though there's no way to eliminate rosacea, effective treatment can relieve the symptoms. Most often this requires a combination of lifestyle changes and prescription medication. SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS Symptoms of this condition include itchy, flaky, peeling skin, and severe dandruff. It worsens in the low humidity of winter, and has a cumulative effect as the increased shedding of skin cells results in even more water loss. Medicated lotions and shampoos are mainstays of treatment. A Few Of My Favorite Things Look for anti-inflammatory, moisturizing ingredients when building a winter skin care routine. Some good natural ingredients to consider include beeswax, calendula, comfrey, marshmallow root, and olive oil. What else is good for skin hydration and protection? As the song says, these are a few of my favorite things: GLYCERIN Glycerin, also called glycerine or glycerol, is a humectant (an ingredient that actively draws moisture from the air and then binds it to the skin). It is a sugar alcohol and is also used in foods as a sweetener or thickener. Skin care products that contain glycerin will be goopier and heavier than those that don't. Give the skin a couple of weeks to get used to the consistency and the heaviness will soon be unnoticeable. HYALURONIC ACID If you prefer gentle, natural ingredients, don't be frightened away by the "acid" part. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in 14 ASCP Skin Deep November/December 2013 Deck the Halls Events, gifts, and invitations to try something new are a special delight during the winter months. Here are some seasonal marketing ideas to bring new cheer into your practice. End-of-Year Skin Analysis Get up close and personal with clients' skin by hosting an event where you provide each guest with a complimentary skin analysis, a look at new products, and personalized skin care recommendations for the winter season. Now is also a great time to patch-test clients for any new products you may be using in their upcoming bookings. Safety never goes out of style. Home-Care Update Host an event or offer individual sessions where you help clients reevaluate their current homecare products and makeup. Have clients bring in all the products they use and go through the items one by one. Check the condition of each product and explain any problems. Is it out of date? Is it inappropriate for the client's skin and potentially making things worse? Is it a suitable product but perhaps is not being used correctly or in the right quantity? This event will build relationships and transition clients into using well-chosen professional products. Gift Certificates 'Tis the season for gift certificate sales. Are you ready? You can't sell them if you don't have them! Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) gives you a discount with www.thegiftcardcafe.com so you can sell gift certificates online—log in to the Members section at www.ascpskincare.com and look for Member Discounts under the Business Tools menu. Some great ideas on how to maximize your practice's gift certificate sales can be found in this recent article from Massage & Bodywork magazine: www.massageandbodyworkdigital. com/i/149404/94.