Dry skin (xerosis) can cause various symptoms, which may range from mild to severe. Common signs and symptoms include:

1. Visible Skin Changes:

• Rough, flaky, or scaly patches

• Redness or irritation

• Gray or ashy appearance (common in people with darker skin tones)

• Fine cracks or fissures (in severe cases)

2. Physical Sensations:

• Tightness, especially after bathing or swimming

• Itching (pruritus), which can be mild to intense

• Burning or stinging in extreme cases

• Pain or bleeding if skin cracks deeply

3. Worsening with External Factors:

• Symptoms may get worse in cold, dry weather or low-humidity environments.

• Hot showers or harsh soaps can exacerbate dryness.

• Scratching can lead to thickened or leathery skin (lichenification) over time.

Possible Complications:

• Eczema (atopic dermatitis) flare-ups

• Infections (if cracks allow bacteria to enter)

• Worsening of other skin conditions (e.g., psoriasis)

Treatments:

1. Optimise stratum corneum and treat impaired skin barrier (i.e. Hyaluronic acid based skin booster Profhilo)
2. Treat any redness with anti-inflammatory to reduce trans-epidermal water loss  (i.e. Exosome delivery, Stellar M22 IPL, Elite IQ etc.)