Caring for Your Elbows, Knees and Feet
Caring for Your Elbows, Knees and Feet – Do you know that your elbows, knees and feet are most prone to dryness? Watch this video to learn about caring for your elbows, knees and feet.
Expert: Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Director of Dermatologic Research, Associate Residency Program Director, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Transcript
When you think about skin care, your mind probably doesn’t jump to elbows, knees, or feet. After all, when was the last time someone complimented your handsome or gorgeous elbows? Still, these three parts of the body tend to be THE driest, most likely because your elbows, knees, and feet lack sebaceous glands. These glands are microscopic sacs that produce sebum oil on most OTHER parts of your body. Sebum oil helps keep skin lubricated. Plus, skin loses its natural elasticity and moisture as we age, further compounding this problem.
To contend with scaly elbows, knees, and feet, change the way you wash. You’ve heard it before and it’s true: long, hot showers and baths may be gloriously relaxing but they strip the moisture from your skin. Cool your water and aim to hop out after 15 minutes or less. During your shower, put down the bar soap and avoid using anything labeled antibacterial or deodorant. The alcohol and fragrance in these products are too harsh and make already dry skin positively PARCHED. Instead, reach for a gentle nonsoap cleanser with added moisturizers.
After you’ve finished cleansing, you can reach for an exfoliating scrub formulated for the body. Exfoliating is necessary to remove dead skin cells from the uppermost layer of the epidermis, which allows the moisturizer to penetrate better. On your wet skin, trace firm circles over your knees and elbows, both while they are bent and outstretched. Give your feet the same treat and for VERY dry soles and toes, use a pumice stone. Do this at the END of your shower– when your feet have softened from the water, work the stone in gentle circles over your feet.
Now, hop out of the shower and get ready to moisturize. You’ll want to use a powerful product that contains an ingredient like hyaluronic acid or ceramides. These agents help strengthen the skin’s barrier, allowing it to hold on to its natural moisture for longer.
Other moisturizing mavens include humectants like sunflower oil and soybean oil, which draw water to the skin, and lanolin, mineral oil, or petroleum jelly, which all help your skin maintain the water absorbed while you’re washing.
Get the most out of your moisturizer by applying it to DAMP skin. Maintain soft feet by putting on plush, cotton socks immediately after moisturizing.
Try these tricks, plus other dry skin savers mentioned in this series, and your knees, elbows, and feet will be soft and smooth. For more info on skin health and care, check out other videos on this site.
Last Modified: 2012-11-17
