A 5-point consultation plan for dry skin
STEP 1
DRY SKIN TRIGGERS
Dry skin is caused as result of water loss from the outer layer of skin. There are many factors that can cause this and trigger flare-ups.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
What questions could you ask a customer with dry skin to find out more about what factors may be triggering their symptoms?
Common triggers of dry skin and flare-ups include:1
Central heating, wood-burning fires, fireplaces and electric heaters reduce humidity.
Living in cold, windy conditions or low-humidity climates can trigger dry skin.
Taking long, hot baths or showers or scrubbing the skin too much can cause dry skin. Also, showering or bathing more than once a day can remove some of the natural oils from the skin.
Many soaps, shampoos and detergents are formulated to remove oil; these can strip moisture from the skin.
Customers with other skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis are more likely to have dry skin.
Some customers may develop dry and thickened skin after having treatment for cancer or receiving dialysis.
As people age, the skin thins and produces less of the oils needed for the skin to retain water.