Q: Are there any cosmetic procedures that are best done in wintertime?

Joel Schlessinger, M.D., F.A.A.D.,

Additionally, tumescent liposuction is best done when swimsuit season hasn't arrived, as the garments worn after the procedure are somewhat challenging to wear when the weather is hot. Laser treatments for leg veins and other concerns are also best done when sunlight and tanning aren't a concern.

The advice about dressing in layers comes every winter: Dressing in layers helps keep you warmer, as body heat is effectively trapped in layers of clothes. What you may not know is that your skin may profit from "dressing" in layers as well.

Here's the scoop. Low humidity robs skin of vital moisture, and even in parts of the country with warmer weather, winter air usually brings lower levels of humidity. This affects your skin, because the air is literally seeking moisture, drawing it from every possible source, including your own precious cargo.

SO, HOW DO YOU ADD AN EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION?

Moisturizing in layers continues with applications of a moisturizing lotion to every inch of your body. Once you've done that, layer on a moisturizing cream. Often, using products made by the same brand is helpful, as you are layering on compatible ingredients that will enhance each other. Apply the cream to those areas that tend to be most affected by winter dryness: hands, elbows, knees and feet. Use a separate facial moisturizer, preferably one that has an SPF of at least 15, as incidental sun exposure can be harmful, even in the winter.

NOW, WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR?

Start with the label and look for ingredients such as dimethicone and glycerin. These will help draw precious moisture to your skin and keep it there. Also look for ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid — more moisture boosters for your skin. These are especially important for helping to maintain a healthy skin barrier, the uppermost layers of your skin.

For your face, there are a lot of high-performance products that offer protection, plus some great extras. Try Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Plump Perfect Moisture Cream SPF 30, a treatment and moisturizer. It provides moisture-boosting hydration and Ceramide Triple Complex to strengthen, soothe and retexturize skin's appearance. It also features SPF 30 to help protect from the aging effects of the sun.

An over-the-counter line that dermatologists are recommending is CeraVe. Its moisturizing lotion and moisturizing cream also contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which are naturally occurring in the skin and help to replenish these ingredients that can easily be lost to harsh winter weather.

DON'T FORGET YOUR LIPS

Lips are very prone to the effects of cold, dry air and can chap and crack easily. So, your next layer should definitely be a ChapStick or lip balm. Investigate what Kiehl's has to offer, as their lip balms are especially soothing and protective. Carry a tube in your purse, and don't be afraid to apply it liberally throughout the day.

REMEMBER YOUR FEET, TOO

Remember, too, layers of clothes — while great for warmth — can also contribute to skin dryness. The heels of your feet might become tough and dry after being confined in boots for many hours. So when applying moisturizer, don't forget to literally go from the bottom up!

If having rough, chapped skin on your hands were a crime, would you be behind bars every winter?

Well, maybe it's time to re-think your way of doing things. There are so many new ways to help soothe, protect and maintain great-looking skin on your hands these days, that it really is a crime not to take advantage of new technology!

In the winter, when humidity levels drop and there is very little moisture available in the air, the environment literally sucks moisture from wherever it can find it — and your skin is a prime target.

So, the obvious solutions include buying — and actually wearing —gloves, especially lined ones; moisturizing after every hand washing; and exploring some new options to help maintain and repair the skin's barrier.

Your dermatologist can give you a prescription for a type of product called a physiologic barrier. These products don't contain active drug ingredients, but are manufactured in such a way as to be considered therapeutic by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Eletone, Elta and Aquaphor creams are similar products that incorporate an ingredient that most dermatologists will tell you is good for your skin — white petrolatum. These moisturizers form a barrier on your dry, rough skin to help repair and protect it. Best of all, because they don't contain an active drug, you can use them as often as necessary.

If you prefer the over-the-counter (OTC) route, there are several factors to consider. For mildly dry skin, a lotion such as Cetaphil, Nivea or Eucerin will usually suffice if applied several times a day, especially after washing. If your skin is particularly rough and dry, you will benefit more from the use of a hand cream versus a lotion.

Fortunately, most companies offer both. Creams often contain the same ingredients as their lotion counter-parts, but the formulation that makes them thicker often makes them better able to hold moisture in your skin. For best results, many people use both.

And, as with many things in life, timing is everything. If you know that your skin tends to react negatively to cold, dry winter weather, don't wait to implement a moisturizing routine. The old expression about "closing the barn door after the cows are out" really applies here. Don't wait for the dryness to become apparent.

Begin moisturizing when humidity levels fall below 50 percent. Also, keep your moisturizer by the sink and use it after every hand washing to help lock moisture in. Conscientious use will produce good results. If, however, your skin continues to feel very dry and maybe even itchy, consult a dermatologist to rule out hand eczema, which may require treatment with a prescription formula.

Dermabrasion has undergone a big change in recent years, with the growing popularity of a milder, less abrasive form known as microdermabrasion.

Dr. Schlessinger

"The nice thing about the new form is that it can be done without any interruption in work or play," Dr. Schlessinger says. "Downtime has become the redheaded stepchild of dermatology. Women hate it and will do anything to avoid it. Microdermabrasion is a procedure that fits into their lifestyle."

Though the downtime is significantly reduced with microdermabrasion, so are the dramatic results associated with dermabrasion.

Nevertheless, microdermabrasion is effective at diminishing fine lines, brown spots, wrinkles, superficial acne scars, blemished or dull skin, thickened skin, sun-damaged skin, acne and enlarged pores. It will likely take between five and 12 treatments to get the best results, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The microdermabrasion procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes. A topical aluminum oxide crystal or a salt-based crystal is applied to the face through a vacuum, which sloughs off dead skin from the surface layer. No pain is involved, Dr. Schlessinger says. "In fact, most patients say it's rather invigorating."

In addition, Dr. Schlessinger says just about anyone can have microdermabrasion. "In general, very few, if any, can't have it," he says. "Except those with rosacea, as it will exacerbate this condition."

Long-term results tend to be minimal, lasting about two to six weeks, he says. "I recommend my patients come back every month for a touch-up to keep up the benefits."

"The only significant risk I see is that of having the procedure performed by an unskilled professional," Dr. Schlessinger says. "I recommend going to a dermatology-based clinic, because their estheticians are better trained and more aware of the limitations and benefits of the procedures."

Furthermore, he says unskilled technicians are not always able to achieve the optimal outcome for the patient. "I see an awful lot of people who have had treatments performed outside dermatology offices who don't get the benefits, though they are using the same machines."

Dr. Schlessinger will often use the AFA Facial Clay-Peel System (Biopelle) in conjunction with microdermabrasion to clear up brown spots. "This process is excellent for lentigines and melasma, and can be done in conjunction with the microdermabrasions. Additionally, this product is only sold to dermatologists and plastic surgeons, which allows one more way for dermatologists to differentiate themselves," he says.

Other procedures to consider when looking to improve your skin are laser peels (both invasive and noninvasive), clay peels, acid peels and procedural-based exfoliation.

Disclosure: Dr. Schlessinger reports no financial interest in any of the companies mentioned in this article.

The pursuit of youth and beauty through fillers and peels, lasers and creams, nips and tucks has never been easier. Cosmetic procedures have never been more accessible, more successful or less invasive.

Dr. Farris

"Younger women want very full lips with a ridge, like Paris Hilton, while older women just want the lips they used to have," says Patricia K. Farris, M.D., a Metairie,La., dermatologist.

"Liquid fillers give you flexibility later," she says.

"What you want in your 30s isn't necessarily what you want later. With age, your lip flattens. Many women in their 50s to 70s come in and want to correct lipstick bleeding," Dr. Farris says.

This kind of correction is easily achieved with a quick and relatively painless procedure. A dental block is used, much like when fixing a cavity, Dr. Farris says, so patients won't feel pain as the physician injects the natural or biocompatible material into the lips with a syringe.

Mild swelling and bruising can occur for two to seven days, but the patient will be able to return to daily activities immediately, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

The lips become very soft and pliable, Dr. Farris says, and more than one substance can be used at a time. This allows the physician to mold the lips and create the desired look.

Dr. Farris stresses the importance of having the procedure done by a professional.

"It takes a physician with finesse to get the right result," she says.

Equally important is clear communication between patient and doctor, she says. "It's not a cookie-cutter procedure with lips. Your goal — what you are trying to achieve — is important to convey. You have to communicate well to get exactly what you want."

Once that goal is achieved, results can last from six months to a year, she says. Some patients see even greater longevity, as the fillers can stimulate collagen production in the lips.

The ultimate payoff for both patient and treating physician, however, is matching the vision with reality.

There is nothing better than seeing the vision and being able to create it for patients, Dr. Farris says. "They really see the difference."