There's no way around it: cold Winters can drastically impact hair, skin, and bodies. Whether experiencing an overly dry exterior or retaining more volume in order to keep warm in freezing temperatures, the chilliest season of the year ultimately affects the products we use, and our beauty routines, too.
Instead of soaking in the sun and applying bronzer, we apply blush. Rather than lathering on sunscreen (which we should do all year), we cover our extremities with layers. Even though we enjoy our bright wardrobes, lighter colored nails, sunnier weather, and more hours spent outdoors, the days of snowy and cooler climates shouldn't be wasted.
Instead of hanging inside by the fire or binge-watching Netflix, there are more productive ways to enhance your Winter beauty regimen — specifically the appointments you should always make before Spring rolls around.
While you're perfectly beautiful just the way you are, if you do opt for treatments, here are the ones to book in the Winter months!
1Laser Hair Removal
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Rima Brindamour
Semi-permanent hair reduction — and fewer ingrown hairs and bumps — can be achieved within a matter of weeks with laser hair removal. (Though the exact time frame depends on the person and area of the body being targeted.) The process involves laser light that emits a beam that bypasses the epidermis and disables the reproductive cycle of the hair within the follicle.
"While you can start any time of year, we recommend starting in the Winter months so that you are super smooth for Spring and Summer," says Shobha Tummala, Founder & CEO of Shobha in New York City.
"Plus, this is usually when you have less exposure to the sun so you don't have to plan around beach days to get lasered. You must wait three days after direct sun exposure to receive a laser treatment, and spray-tanned or sunburned skin cannot be lasered."
Chris Karavolas, owner of Romeo & Juliette Laser Hair Removal in New York City adds, "Treatments should be performed when someone does not have a tan, so that the correct energy can be applied without hurting the skin."
With appointments lasting 15 minutes to two hours per session — depending on the client's hair removal needs — a tiny, sterile probe with electricity or a solution of sodium hydroxide is introduced to the base of the hair follicle. It destroys the root of the hair. Electrolysis takes an average of 18 months with regular treatments — so, warm months are unavoidable, but going through two winters is better than two Summers.
"Electrolysis opens hair follicles, making them more susceptible to dirt, sweat and breakouts," says Emily Limoges, CEO and founder of Limoges Beauty in NYC. "The skin can heal quicker in cold weather because it helps close the pores after treatment."
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3Microblading
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Diggy Lloyd
Saving precious time in the morning by foregoing eyebrow makeup is made possible by microblading. The appointment consists of numbing cream application, and a custom hue (from high-quality pigments with FDA certified ingredients) being delicately scratched into the skin strand by strand, using a specially made tool. Dye is then applied into the brow design.
"Microblading is best done in the Winter to avoid excessive sweating and perspiration that can affect results over the first 24-48 hours," says Ramon Padilla, the founder of EverTrue Microblading Salon in New York City. "Any minor swelling or redness is also greatly reduced in cooler temperatures, ensuring a seamless, perfect result."
Dermalinfusion is non-invasive and involves exfoliation with a recessed diamond tip to remove dry and damaged skin cells. Vacuum pressure extracts bacteria, dirt, and debris. One of four serums (customized to the skin's needs), are infused into the layers of skin at the exact point of exfoliation and extraction. The process typically requires 25-30 minutes per session and six to eight treatments every four to six weeks is preferred for maintenance.
"This treatment is especially great to do during winter months to treat Melasma and pigmentation with the Lumixyl serum. It works wonders in brightening and lightening pigmentation caused by the sun, as well as hormonal pigmentation," says Cynthia Rivas, Medical Aesthetician at Envy Medical.
"While it can be done year round when used with proper sunscreen, we prefer the Winter months because the sun is not as strong as it is in the Spring and Summer time. We take advantage of this time to use ingredients that make your skin more sensitive to the sun but work amazingly to clear up pigmentation."
