Rudolph, the red-nosed me

It’s that time of year when noses glow and not just on mythical reindeer.

I don’t know if I was born with a red nose, but it’s pretty clear that I’ve had one for most of my life. Even in a very old black and white photo, you can tell that my nose is definitely a different color than the rest of my face.

Evidence of my very early red nose and a couple of noses that definitely make me smile.

As physical afflictions go, it’s pretty minor. Of course there have always been those well-meaning (?) people who have had to ask, “Why is your nose so red? Do you have a cold?” But for the most part, a little coverup makeup gets me out of the house without feeling like good old Rudolph, 356 days a year. That the coverup doesn’t always last is just a good reason to avoid looking in mirrors.

This is the time of year when a lot of noses are redder than normal. The most consistent cause is cold weather. According to the Skin Institute, noses bloom like roses because we naturally redirect blood flow from our extremities, including the nose, to the core in an effort to keep vital organs warm when faced with frigid weather. For some of us, temperatures don’t have to drop very far to trigger more red.

The other causes of redness that get exasperated by winter weather are the common cold, rosacea, dry air and dry skin. The nose is also easily influenced by alcohol consumption (holiday parties!), rough tissues and sensitivity to fragrances in skin products. Some causes are more avoidable than others. My new favorite thing lately is a pair of humidifiers. I’m not sure they’re reducing redness, but my hair is really happy.

For those facing much more challenging redness such as port-wine stains on the face,  options include laser treatment and something called Simulated Skin. For those with mere redness, there’s alway Dermablend, which I discovered when I had a pretty serious scar to cover up and quickly realized it stayed put much better than the cosmetic counter concealers I’ve tried off and on. Valerie Monroe details some options in her “How Not to F*ck Up Your Face” Substack “The Never-Before Asked Question.”

Like most things in life, the real solution is to learn to have a senses of humor about it and to remind yourself often of this little poem I found in childhood.

“My face I don’t mind it
Because I’m behind it —
’Tis the folk in the front that I jar.” — Anthony Euwer, featured in Louis Utntermeyer’s “The Golden Treasury of Poetry”

Thanks, Mr. Euwer. And Rudolph, who also found a way to put his bright nose to good use.

This is my 50th post in 2023. With a busy couple of weeks ahead, I’m planning to take a break before coming up with new ideas for 2024. For those who observe any of the 12 religious holidays that fall in December or even National Ugly Sweater Day on Dec. 17, I wish you very Happy Holidays and plenty of time to recharge for the year ahead.