In The News

Dr. Bair was interviewed by Fit, the Albuquerque Journal’s monthly magazine, on protecting your skin from New Mexico’s cold, dry winter weather:

“It’s important to hydrate inside and out,” says Dean Bair, medical director of Bair Medical Spa in Albuquerque. “Typically, forced air heat reduces the humidity indoors to less than 10 percent.” That means you should drink more water and use a humidifier, he says.

Sun Damage

Outside, low humidity is still the constant. The sun’s rays are multiplied by altitude, and snow and harsh wind also can cause damage. “I’m an avid skier,” Bair says. “I use sunblock and good moisturizers. A good moisturizer is a barrier to wind and dryness.”

He also packs a little brush from Colorescience that contains a mineral blend of sunblock, and he adds that to the layer of sun protective factor 30 he applies every time he’s on the ski lift.

Bair prefers sunblocks with super refined particles with an SPF of 30 or more because he says sunblocks have less chemical interaction with the skin than sunscreens.

“They micronized these particles (titanium dioxide and zinc), so the newer ones are very nice and creamy,” he says.

The change of the seasons is also a good time to go through makeup and toss products that have been in the drawer longer than six months. Older products, especially those for the eyes, can begin to degrade and cause irritation or infection, Bair says.

Dead skin buildup causes most of the problems with winter dry skin, so extra attention to exfoliation and more conscientious application of moisturizer help skin feel and look better, he adds.

Begin in the shower by turning down the temperature to help protect your skin’s natural moisture. Lukewarm is probably hot enough, he says. Applying a layer of oil after your shower while your skin is moist helps seal in the moisture. Safflower or olive oil works just fine.

For skin damaged by cold weather and the sun, Bair recommends a treatment called FotoFacial that combines bands of flashing light to improve the tone and texture of skin. He says the band of light is adjusted for each patient’s needs and can address problems like enlarged pores, age spots and broken capillaries. The cost can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Bair says he also may recommend medical peels for some skin conditions, but cautions anyone considering such a procedure to consult a medical provider first.