It’s winter in Northeast Ohio. Snow piles up and days of dull gray skies are often reflected in the cold, dry, he emphasizedweak skin emerges from parka hoods. It can be a difficult time of year for overall health, especially skin health, as our skin deals more directly with these harsh cold and dry conditions.
“Vitamin D is considered a hidden ally because its absence may not directly cause skin problems,” explains Wilcox. “But, over time, deficiencies can lead to dryness, inflammation and other problems. Dealing with the specific challenges of winter and maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D ensures that your skin stays healthy, hydrated and resilient during the colder months.”
Well, settle in as we explain why one of the biggest winter skin care tips is to get your vitamin D deficiency treated right away to get that healthy, glowing skin while you’re probably dealing with a host of other health issues! We can bring you for same day appointment if you have a skin emergency at one of our 14 Apex Skin dermatology clinics throughout Northeast Ohio.
Your body needs vitamin D for many essential functions. Your bones can only absorb calcium with the help of vitamin D. Vitamin D also regulates many cellular functions in the skin, immune system, brain, muscles, and more. It is also a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. In short, your whole body needs it, but if you’re deficient, symptoms often show up in your skin first.
Vitamin D is vital for overall health and specifically for skin health, through to cell regeneration, inflammation regulation, immunity and repair functions. Wilcox shares a long list of exactly what vitamin D does for skin health:
At least half of the world’s population is experiencing some level of vitamin D deficiency due to factors such as limited sun exposure, certain medical conditions, or environmental influences. Here in Northeast Ohio, our northern latitude and long, cloudy winters make it even more difficult to maintain healthy vitamin D levels.
The lack of consistent sunlight during Northeast Ohio winters is compounded by other factors such as dry indoor air and the need to bundle up in heavy layers to stay warm.
“During the winter, the cold, dry air in Northeast Ohio can strip moisture from your skin, leading to many skin health issues, including dry chapped skin, chapped lips, eczema flare-ups, and psoriasis or other skin conditions,” says Wilcox. “Since it’s so cold outside, we spend more time indoors with the heat on,” says Wilcox. “While indoor heating helps keep homes warm in winter, it also reduces humidity, further drying the skin. The combination of heated indoor air and cold outdoor air can lead to tight, itchy and irritated skin.”
This combination of low sunlight, skin discomfort and vitamin D deficiency can also lead to other complications. “Lack of sunlight is also linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD)which can affect mood and overall well-being,” says Wilcox.
In addition to the challenges of winter in Northeast Ohio, certain medical conditions can worsen vitamin D deficiency. Obesity, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, kidney and liver disease, and certain weight loss medications and surgeries, they can hinder the body’s ability to absorb or synthesize vitamin D. Biological and environmental factors also play a role: people over 65, people with darker skin, or people who stay at home are at higher risk.
Vitamin D and skin health are intricately linked. While it’s true that some sun exposure triggers the skin to produce vitamin D, it’s important to understand that prolonged sun exposure or relying on tanning beds to get vitamin D is incredibly dangerous.
And it’s not just skin cancer — as if that wasn’t bad enough. Too much sun exposure can add years to your face through premature aging, explains Wilcox: “Prolonged exposure to UV radiation leads to DNA damage, which can lead to cancer. Excessive UV exposure accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin, causing premature wrinkling, sagging and other signs of aging (photoaging).
Solariums should be avoided. Wilcox explains that they are not a safe alternative to natural sunlight, as they mainly emit UVA radiation, which can accelerate skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer, even without visible signs of sunburn.
So what is the healthy balance of sunlight to produce vitamin D without causing damage to the skin? “Brief, controlled sun exposure—about 10-30 minutes a few times a week—is generally enough for your body to produce vitamin D without risking skin damage. This can be combined with other methods, such as diet and supplementation, to ensure healthy levels of vitamin D.” And, as always, wear SPF 30+ sunscreen every day to keep your skin safe, even during the darker winter months.
Signs of general vitamin D deficiency often manifest differently in people of different ages. For children, it often presents as “rickets,” which is rare, but often includes symptoms such as abnormal bone growth patterns (bow bones), bone pain, weak muscles, and joint deformities.
For adults, vitamin D deficiency can also include pain and weakness in the bones and muscles, but it can also manifest itself through muscle cramps, fatigue, and depression. Increased sensitivity to pain and tingling sensations in the hands and feet may also occur.
While these are some very prominent symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, the signs often first appear on the skin. “Dryness, eczema, psoriasis flare-ups, slow wound healing, and an increased risk of infections are all common signs that may indicate vitamin D deficiency,” says Wilcox. If you already have a chronic skin condition such as the following, a vitamin D deficiency can make the condition worse:
Science continues to find more and more connections between vitamin D and skin health. “While normal winter dryness is often seasonal and resolves with a proper winter skin care routine, vitamin D deficiency can manifest as more persistent, widespread dryness accompanied by systemic symptoms,” explains Wilcox. “Systemic symptoms often associated with vitamin D deficiency include fatigue, bone or muscle pain, frequent infections, mood changes (depression or irritability), hair loss, and poor wound healing. Addressing both with a combination of lifestyle adjustments and medical advice ensures optimal skin and overall health during the winter months.”
You can treat vitamin D deficiency at home by following your dermatologist’s recommendations regarding brief sun exposure, nutritionand supplement.
Wilcox suggests the following simple things you can start doing today to increase your vitamin D levels:
Apex Skin is located right here in Northeast Ohio, so we all understand what it’s like to endure those gray, dark, frozen, dry skin days. And we often recommend, as part of our winter skincare advice protocol, exploring vitamin D as a systemic aid for winter skin concerns. At all 14 Apex Skin locations, we provide expert advice and dermatologist-recommended skin treatments, which often include some extra vitamin D to help. These solutions include:
Navigating a Northeast Ohio winter with healthy skin is tough, but Madison WilcoxPA-C, as well as other Apex Skin providers, can help you navigate whether you need vitamin D deficiency treatment or other skin health treatments to get you through the winter with smooth, vibrant, comfortable skin. So if your regular skincare regimen hasn’t improved persistent dry, flaky skin, or if your eczema or psoriasis symptoms have flared up, we can help you get your vitamin D levels assessed. Even simple changes like increasing your dietary intake or adding a vitamin D supplement can support your overall health and the health of your skin systematically. Vitamin D might just be your secret weapon against your winter skin woes! If you are unsure of your vitamin D levels or have winter care issues, schedule a consultation with Apex Skin today. We have same day appointments available and are here to help you shine all year round!
