Colorado is a beautiful place with breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains. The opportunities for outdoor activities are endless, but there is a catch: the higher the elevation, the more difficult things get for your skin.
To ensure your skin maintains its glow, you must tailor your routine to the unique climate of Colorado. Once you understand how its peculiarities affect your skin, choosing the best skincare products becomes easier. Our team at RESTOR Medical Spa will help you make the best choices for your needs.
What Happens to the Skin at High Altitudes?
High altitudes can significantly impact your skin, the most important being the extra sun exposure. With each 1000m rise in altitude, UV radiation levels increase by around 10 percent. With Colorado being at an altitude of about 6,800 feet (over 2000m) above sea level, you’ve got a lot of exposure there. The thinner air as you are closer to the sun does not filter the UV rays as much, putting you at a higher risk of hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and premature aging.
Additionally, humidity levels decrease with altitude, which means the Colorado air is pretty dry. This ends up pulling moisture out of your skin, leaving it feeling dry and itchy. Not only can this leave you prone to wrinkles and finer lines, but it can also significantly irritate the skin.
Creating a Skincare Routine at Higher Altitudes
Higher altitudes require you to focus on a few essentials in your skincare routine. Keep in mind that medical-grade skincare is your best friend here, and it’s ideal to get the full skincare set. Here are some tips to remember:
1. Hydration Is Essential
With the lack of moisture in the air of Colorado, your skin is not only dry but also unable to retain any moisture because the air sucks it back out. For this reason, we recommend using a moisturizer rich in hyaluronic acid, as the particles bond with the water molecules.
A good example is the RESTOR Essential Moisturizer, but you can also use something like the RESTOR Hyaluronic Serum first. Just make sure you apply the product on clean, damp skin.
2. Go for Gentle Exfoliation
With the dry air of Colorado, you might notice that your skin flakes quite often. It’s not unusual because your skin is quite dehydrated at this point. That said, the changing temperatures and lack of hydration can also irritate the skin, meaning that you cannot over-exfoliate.
A gentle exfoliating product like the RESTOR Glyco Cream Sensitive can remove dead skin cells while nourishing the healthy surface, allowing you to glow without further irritation.
3. Sun Protection Is a Must
The high altitude of Colorado puts you at a greater risk of skin damage. Ideally, the sunblock you choose should have at least 30 SPF, but the higher you go, the better.
If your skin tends to burn quickly, you should opt for full coverage by choosing the RESTOR Pure Defense Sunscreen SPF 30+. If your skin is not that delicate but has excess pigmentation that you want to cover up, then you can choose the tinted version with SPF 30.
4. Skin Barrier Renewal Treatments
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might show sun damage or other imperfections. If this happens, you should add products rich in growth factors and anti-aging ingredients like the RESTOR Renewal Treatment Sensitive. It’s perfect for the already-irritated Colorado skin, and ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol, and AHAs can revitalize and brighten the skin.
Get Your Skincare from RESTOR Medical Spa!
The higher altitudes of Colorado might be merciless on you, but there is nothing that a proper skincare routine can’t fix. Focus on moisture and sun protection, but also give your skin the nutrients it needs. Since everyone has different skin types, a consultation with our professionals at RESTOR Medical Spa can help you create a suitable routine!
For more information about skincare and how to protect yourself from environmental factors, contact RESTOR Medical Spa at 720-524-8429. We can offer you the guidance that you seek to create a highly protective routine. Alternatively, you can contact us via our online contact form, and we can help schedule an appointment!
