Winter Skin Health: Building the Foundation for Your Best Results in 2026

January in Atlanta brings its own version of winter—milder than northern climates, perhaps, but still challenging for skin health. The combination of cold outdoor air, dry indoor heating, and constant temperature fluctuations takes a toll on even the healthiest complexion. For patients considering aesthetic procedures in 2026, understanding how to protect and optimize skin during winter months isn’t just about comfort. It’s about creating the best possible foundation for whatever treatments lie ahead.

At Silk Plastic Surgery in Sandy Springs, Dr. Gregory Mackay and Dr. Eugenia Page take a comprehensive approach to aesthetic care. That means looking beyond individual procedures to consider how overall skin health impacts both surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction. Whether you’re planning a facelift, exploring non-surgical rejuvenation, or simply want to maintain your best appearance through the colder months, winter skincare deserves your attention.

Why Winter Hits Skin So Hard

The science behind winter skin damage is straightforward. Cold air holds less moisture than warm air, which means humidity drops significantly during winter months. When you step outside into cold, dry air, moisture begins evaporating from your skin’s surface almost immediately.

Then you come inside, where heating systems further deplete humidity. The constant cycling between cold outdoor environments and warm, dry indoor spaces creates ongoing stress on the skin’s protective barrier—the stratum corneum. This outermost layer normally functions like a brick wall, holding moisture in while keeping irritants out. Winter conditions compromise this barrier, leading to increased water loss and decreased protection.

The visible results are familiar to anyone who’s experienced a Georgia winter. Skin becomes dry, tight, and sometimes flaky. Fine lines appear more pronounced when skin lacks adequate hydration. Texture may become rough or uneven. For some people, winter triggers or worsens conditions like eczema, rosacea, or general sensitivity.

What many patients don’t realize is that compromised skin doesn’t just look and feel worse—it also responds less optimally to aesthetic treatments. Procedures work best when performed on healthy, well-hydrated, properly functioning skin. Taking winter skincare seriously isn’t vanity. It’s preparation.

Adjusting Your Routine for Cold Weather

The lightweight moisturizers and gel cleansers that served you well during Atlanta’s humid summers probably won’t suffice in January. Winter demands richer formulations and adjusted techniques.

• Cleansing: Switch to gentle, hydrating cleansers that clean without stripping. Avoid products containing sulfates or other harsh surfactants that can further compromise your skin’s barrier. Cream or milk cleansers often work better than foaming formulas during winter months.
• Moisturizing: This is where winter routines diverge most significantly from summer approaches. Look for moisturizers containing occlusive ingredients like shea butter, squalane, or ceramides that create a protective layer on skin’s surface. Humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin draw moisture into the skin. The combination of both—humectants to attract water and occlusives to seal it in—provides the most effective winter hydration.

Apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp after cleansing. This helps trap existing moisture rather than waiting until skin has already begun to dry.

• Exfoliation: Here’s where winter skincare becomes counterintuitive. While removing dead skin cells helps other products penetrate better, over-exfoliation during winter can damage an already stressed barrier. Reduce exfoliation frequency to once or twice weekly, and choose gentle options like lactic acid or finely milled physical exfoliants rather than aggressive peels or scrubs.
• Sun Protection: UV rays don’t take winter off. In fact, snow reflects up to 80% of UV radiation, increasing exposure for those who spend time outdoors. Continue using broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily, even on cloudy Atlanta winter days.

The Connection Between Skin Health and Procedure Outcomes

Why does this matter if you’re considering aesthetic procedures? Because healthy skin simply responds better to treatment—whether surgical or non-surgical.

For surgical procedures like facelifts, healthy skin heals more efficiently. Adequate hydration supports the tissue repair process that occurs after any incision. Skin that’s already compromised by winter damage may take longer to heal or may be more susceptible to complications during recovery.

Dr. Mackay’s expertise in the deep plane facelift technique produces exceptional results partly because the procedure works with the skin’s natural structure rather than just pulling it tight. But even the most skilled surgical technique benefits from starting with healthy, well-maintained skin.

For non-surgical treatments, the connection is equally important. Injectables like dermal fillers and neuromodulators perform best when placed in healthy tissue. Laser treatments and chemical peels require intact skin barriers to work safely and effectively. Patients with severely dehydrated or damaged skin may need to address those issues before proceeding with certain treatments.

At Silk Plastic Surgery, the team often recommends skin preparation protocols before procedures. This might include medical-grade skincare products, professional treatments to optimize skin condition, or simply time to heal from winter damage before scheduling elective procedures.

Professional Treatments That Support Winter Skin

Beyond home skincare, professional treatments can help maintain skin health through challenging winter months while also preparing skin for more significant procedures.

• Medical-Grade Skincare: Products available through dermatologists and plastic surgery practices contain higher concentrations of active ingredients than over-the-counter options. Prescription retinoids, professional-strength vitamin C serums, and targeted treatments can address specific concerns more effectively than drugstore alternatives.
• Hydrating Facials: Professional hydration treatments deliver moisture deeper into skin than home products can reach. Some incorporate hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, or other beneficial ingredients through techniques like iontophoresis or specialized delivery systems.
• Gentle Chemical Peels: Light peels can remove surface damage and dead cells without compromising the barrier the way aggressive treatments might. They’re often recommended as maintenance between more intensive procedures.
• Laser and Light Therapies: Certain laser treatments stimulate collagen production and improve overall skin quality. When performed appropriately during winter (with proper sun protection afterward), they can help counteract seasonal damage while preparing skin for optimal procedure outcomes.

The non-surgical options available at Silk Plastic Surgery complement surgical procedures beautifully. Many patients find that maintaining skin health with periodic non-surgical treatments extends and enhances their surgical results over time.

Lifestyle Factors That Affect Winter Skin

Skincare products and treatments matter, but so do lifestyle choices that influence skin from the inside out.

• Hydration: Drinking adequate water supports skin hydration, though it’s not a substitute for topical moisturizers. The dry winter air—both outdoors and in heated indoor spaces—increases your body’s need for fluids. Pay attention to hydration even when you don’t feel as thirsty as you might during summer heat.
• Humidifiers: Adding moisture back to indoor air helps counteract the drying effects of heating systems. A humidifier in your bedroom can make a significant difference in how your skin looks and feels during winter months.
• Hot Showers: They’re tempting when it’s cold outside, but long, hot showers strip natural oils from skin and can worsen winter dryness. Lukewarm water and shorter shower times help preserve your skin’s protective barrier.
• Nutrition: Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids support skin health and barrier function. Fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseed, and other omega-3 sources contribute to skin that’s better able to retain moisture and resist environmental damage.
• Sleep: Skin repairs itself during sleep. Getting adequate rest supports the healing processes that help skin recover from daily environmental stress—including winter’s challenges.

Planning Procedures Around Seasonal Considerations

For patients considering procedures in 2026, timing matters. Winter actually offers some advantages for certain treatments.

Many patients prefer scheduling procedures during cooler months because sun protection during recovery is easier. The intense sun exposure of Atlanta summers can interfere with healing and potentially affect results for some procedures. Winter’s shorter days and more time spent indoors naturally reduce UV exposure during critical recovery periods.

However, winter scheduling works best when skin is healthy going into the procedure. Patients who’ve neglected winter skincare may need to invest time in skin preparation before proceeding with planned treatments.

The consultation process at Silk Plastic Surgery addresses these timing considerations. Dr. Mackay and Dr. Page evaluate not just your aesthetic goals but your current skin condition and readiness for procedures. Sometimes the recommendation is to proceed immediately. Other times, a preparation protocol optimizes likely outcomes.

The Silk Plastic Surgery Approach to Comprehensive Care

What distinguishes an excellent aesthetic practice isn’t just technical skill in performing procedures—though both Dr. Mackay and Dr. Page bring exceptional credentials from training at institutions including Emory University, University of Pennsylvania, and Mayo Clinic. It’s the comprehensive approach to patient care that addresses the whole picture.

This means considering how surgical and non-surgical treatments work together. It means understanding that skin health affects procedure outcomes. It means providing honest guidance about preparation, timing, and realistic expectations.

Both physicians have earned consistent recognition as Top Doctors from Atlanta Magazine, The Atlantan, and Castle Connolly—distinctions based on peer nominations rather than paid placements. This recognition reflects not just surgical excellence but the kind of comprehensive, patient-centered care that produces consistently satisfying results.

For breast cancer survivors, Dr. Page’s expertise in microsurgical breast reconstruction—including DIEP flap procedures—represents another dimension of comprehensive care. These complex reconstructive procedures require exceptional skill, but they also benefit from the same attention to overall patient wellness that informs the practice’s approach to cosmetic procedures.

Taking Action This Winter

Whether you have specific procedures planned for 2026 or simply want to maintain your best appearance through the winter months, now is the time to take skin health seriously.

Start by assessing your current routine. Are your products appropriate for winter conditions? Are you moisturizing adequately? Have you adjusted your exfoliation frequency for the season?

Consider whether professional guidance might help. A consultation at Silk Plastic Surgery provides opportunity to discuss not just specific procedures but overall skin health and preparation. Even patients who aren’t ready for surgery often benefit from medical-grade skincare recommendations and professional treatment options.

If you’re planning procedures this year, think about timing. When do you want to have your procedure? Work backward to determine when skin preparation should begin. Some patients benefit from several months of optimized skincare before elective procedures.

Your Consultation Awaits

Winter in Atlanta challenges skin in ways that summer doesn’t. But with proper attention to skincare fundamentals, professional treatments where appropriate, and lifestyle choices that support skin health, you can emerge from winter with skin that’s ready for whatever 2026 brings—whether that’s a major procedure or simply looking your best every day.

At Silk Plastic Surgery, located on the Northside Hospital Atlanta campus in Sandy Springs, comprehensive aesthetic care begins with understanding each patient’s unique situation and goals. Dr. Mackay and Dr. Page bring world-class training and genuine care to every patient interaction, whether the conversation focuses on transformative surgery or simply maintaining healthy, beautiful skin.

Contact Silk Plastic Surgery at (404) 777-9791 to schedule your consultation. Start your 2026 with a clear understanding of your options and a plan for achieving your aesthetic goals—built on the foundation of healthy, well-cared-for skin.