Dry Skin
Get the treatment you need at Riverchase Dermatology.
Dry skin, or xerosis, refers to epidermis that lacks moisture or sebum, the oily substance produced by the sebaceous gland that keeps skin looking smooth and supple but can also cause acne. When you have dry skin, your skin cells shrink from insufficient moisture. In extreme situtions, it can cause pain.
Dry Skin FAQs
Dry skin often looks tight, unnatural or dehydrated. Sometimes there is a ruddy hue and a rough, patchy texture to the skin from lack of moisture. Frequently there are fine lines in the skin and varying degrees of itching, flaking or peeling of the epidermis, which can be uncomfortable and even painful. In severe cases, an open wound or fissure can develop in the outer layer of the skin. This condition can be painful and vulnerable to infection if left untreated.
Environment and behavior play key roles in the development and appearance of dry skin. Behavioral causes include frequent bathing or showering and excessive scrubbing and cleaning, all of which remove the skin’s natural oils and dry out the skin. Sunbathers are also more susceptible to dry skin and skin damage due to the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Certain medications and harsh bath soaps can also cause dry skin.
Environmental factors include living in a dry climate or exposure to winter weather and its lower humidity. Older people tend to have drier skin due to lower concentrations of sebum. People who are vitamin A deficient may also develop dry skin. Some people may inherit a dry skin disorder called ichthyosis, one of a group of genetic skin disorders characterized by dry, scaly and thickened skin.
Dry Skin Treatment Options
Your Riverchase dermatologist will determine the proper course of treatment for your dry skin. The goal of treatment will be to restore and retain moisture in the skin. Treatments may include topical creams, cleansers, lotions and serums.
