Acne – Fact & Fiction Part 2

Following on from Part 1 in our last post, we continue to look at myths and misconceptions about acne.

Acne – myths and misconceptions

#6 – Certain foods cause acne
Although there is little research to prove that certain foods cause acne, some people find that certain foods do cause their acne to become worse. Greasy and fries foods should be kept to a minimum in everyone’s diet no matter what their skin type is. Don’t avoid all fats though as the body needs some good fats such as flaxseed and olive oil keep healthy and these will not make our skin worse. If you suspect a food – stop eating it for 3-4 weeks and then reintroduce it to the diet and see the effect.

#7 – Acne is improved by sunlight
Sunlight may have some effect on drying out the pimples you already have but it does not specifically help acne nor does it prevent you from getting acne. The damage caused by sun exposure will only further damage your skin. Be aware too, that if you are using oral or topical medication from the doctor such as a cream with a retinoid in it , it may make your skin super sensitive to the sun.

#8 – Squeezing pimples makes them go more quickly
It is very tempting to squeeze pimples to get rid of the unsightly head but it really doesn’t help the acne to clear faster. If you absolutely have to do this, wait until the pimple is close to popping itself as possible and use sterilised instruments and putting pressure on either side of the pimple.. Trying to force them and can cause scarring

#9 – Stress makes acne worse
There is evidence to suggest that acne can be made worse or a flare up can happen at times of stress such as exams or relationship breakups. Stress does not cause acne to start though. Sometimes drugs can cause acne as a side effect – see your doctor if you suspect this.

#10- Acne is a skin problem
It is true acne affects the skin but it also has an effect on the person suffering from it as a whole. Bad skin and scarring can cause people to not feel so good about themselves resulting in depression and self esteem issues. Seek help from a professional if you are struggling with these issues – you don’t have to do it alone.

Acne – Fact & Fiction Part 1

What do we really know about acne?

Here we explore some common misunderstandings about the causes and treatment of acne.

Acne – myths and the misconceptions

#1 – Acne is caused by dirty skin
Acne is not caused by dirty skin or people not washing their skin often enough. In ffcat the reverse can be true where acne is made worse and the inflammation worse by constant cleaning and scrubbing. Not only does this irritate the skin and make the inflammation worse, it can aggravate the acne. Our skins will only produce more oil if the natural oils are stripped away. We cannot affect the causes of acne that happen well below the surface of the skin in the oil glands.

#2 – Using makeup will make acne worse
Partly true – there are m any skin care products and cosmetics that have ingredients that can aggravate acne. Look for skin care products and cosmetics that are non-comodegenic. This means that they are formulated not to block the pores of the skin.

#3 – Acne comes from sexual activity
This myth probably came about as teenagers are the biggest age group to suffer from acne  at a time of puberty, sexual maturation and sexual exploration. The hormonal changes that you experience at the time of puberty can contribute to breakouts of acne – but have nothing to do with sexual activity.

#4 – Removing oil from the skin will reduce acne
Washing excessively or with soap and detergents can actually increase oil production. A gentle yet effective cleanser will remove dirt and oil from the skin but will not strip all the oils and thus cause the sebum glands to produce more. Try blotting excess oil during the day with a tissue instead of washing your face.

#5 – Only teenagers get acne
Teenagers commonly get acne but in theory you can  get acne at any age, even some unlucky  babies. If you have acne you don’t suffer alone, about 25% of all people between the ages 25-45 are estimated to suffer from some form of acne at some time.  Adult acne is not uncommon and often experienced by women with fluctuating hormones.

Oily Skin – Acne or Rosacea?

What is rosacea?

Rosacea (which can be pronounced as ro-zay-sha)  is a skin disease that causes redness and pimples on your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. Rosacea can come and go with people suffering from flare-ups. Tiny red veins can form on the face that look like a cobweb of red veins – these are permanent. People sometimes call rosacea “adult acne” because it can cause outbreaks that look like acne and often happens to us as we get older. Sometimes there can be an associated soreness of the eyes and the eyelids. Although rosacea should not affect your vision, it can cause eye problems and a doctor should be consulted if you experience any symptoms. Rosacea can cause a lot of embarrassment and discomfort for sufferers but there are things we can do to minimise flare-ups.

What causes rosacea?

There is some evidence that people with fair skin and who have a tendency to blush are more prone and that a family history can also predispose you to developing rosacea. In an attack of rosacea the blood vessels in the face expand, filling with blood and causing the face to redden. While there is no one cause for all people there are certain common triggers it would be best to avoid.  Some attacks may last minutes or in severe cases can last for days. If you can work out your own personal triggers it will help you manage your rosacea and some people find keeping a trigger diary helpful.

Some triggers include:

Exercise or heavy exertion
Exposure to the sun and wind
Alcohol
Spicy foods
Hot food and drink
Stress or anxiety
Emotional changes such as embarrassment or laughing
Hot baths and showers
Menopause
Some medications – ask your doctor

Medical help should be sought and exposure to triggers reduced as rosacea can worsen and turn into advanced rosacea where bumps on the nose and cheek area can form, giving the area a swollen, lumpy look. While there is no cure medical treatment includes antibiotic creams and drugs. Laser treatment can also help to reduce the size and number of the veins.

Prevention by avoiding triggers is an important part of learning to manage and lessen rosacea attacks.

• Cut down on food and drink that causes symptoms
• Try shorter work outs more frequently when exercising
• Have lukewarm showers and baths and keep them short
• Drink plenty of water in hot conditions
• Cool the face with a damp, cold washcloth if you become overheated.
• Keep alcohol to a minimum – it doesn’t cause rosacea but it can make it worse.
• Always hear sunscreen and a hat when outdoors
• Use a skin care regime that has products with no perfumes, colourings or fragrances that will help soothe and not irritate the skin such as skinsaviour cleanser and moisturiser.
• Skinsaviour Cream and Cleanser are specially formulated for skin that is sensitive and easily irritated.

How To Help Oily & Problem Skin

Can we help problem skin?

There is a lot we can do to help our skin look and feel its best. The good news is all we do to help our skin will also improve our general health as well, so we look and feel better in ourselves. Some changes can have an immediate effect. However, we may have not been supporting our skin for some time so the changes we make can take a while to show on our skins. If the problem you have with your skin is of a more serious nature such as acne, dry skin that has cracked or bled or eczema or psoriasis, even moles or skin discolouration you may be unsure about it is best to seek professional advice.

What to do to help?

By reading the guidelines below and working out a plan for how you could improve your health and therefore the health of your skin. If there are a number of changes to be made, start off slowly and make small steps towards changing your lifestyle. Making too big a promises to yourself and taking on too much change at once can set yourself up to fail. For example, if you think alcohol consumption is a problem –rather than saying you’ll never drink again – try having alcohol free days or having a glass of water for every glass of alcohol you drink. Choose mocktails over cocktails, experiment with drinks at the bar that look the part but have no alcohol. Enlist the support of a friend that wants to improve their skin too.

Every small step in the list below will help you on the way to having skin that is less of a problem.

• A well balanced diet with fresh, unrefined foods, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid greasy, fried and fatty foods.
• Avoid overly processed and refined foods including sugar.
• Choose water over fizzy drinks and keep well hydrated.
• Avoid excessive alcohol, smoking and drugs.
• Get plenty of sleep at night.
• Avoid sun tanning and use sunscreen to avoid skin damage.
• Avoid heavy makeup.
• Exercise regularly, walking is fine to increase blood circulation.
• Use  effective skin care products with a gentle but effective  cleanser both morning and night to remove daily grime build up that clogs pores.
• Use lukewarm water to rinse the skin and pat gently dry.
• Use an effective moisturiser that will help support skin function with no harmful ingredients.

Causes of Unhealthy Skin

Is my skin unhealthy?

Problem skin can have many causes but in general doesn’t have the look of healthy skin.  Healthy skin has clearness about it, a healthy glow with a smooth, unblemished look. Problem skin can look dull, tired and sallow either too greasy and possibly with blemishes or too dry and prematurely wrinkled. Pigmentation does not necessarily mean the skin is unhealthy but can be a problem in how the person feels about it. There is a lot we can do to improve the health and therefore look of our skin and need to look at some of the causes and see what we can identify what could be causing our own unhealthy skin.

What are some of the causes of unhealthy skin?

Although the causes are many, the main culprits are a diet that doesn’t support the heath of the skin, lifestyle factors and a skincare regime that we do not adhere to or the products are not effective.  The skin is the largest organ of our body and needs the same things our body needs to perform its best – adequate sleep, hydration and good nutrition. Excessive lifestyle habits such as overindulgence in alcohol, smoking, late nights and a poor diet will show up on our skin – sooner or later. The good news is our skin will respond to changes we make to support it and while specific skin problems will have specific solutions; these general suggestions below will help improve all skin problems to some degree.

Look at the list below and see how many of the causes of problem skin you can see in your own life:

• Late nights, lack of sleep in general
• Excessive alcohol
• Smoking
• Use of sun beds or tanning
• Lack of fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet
• Fried and greasy foods high in fat
• Dehydration, not drinking adequate water
• Excessive tea and coffee
• Heavy makeup
• Not cleansing the face morning and night
• Not using an effective moisturiser
• Use of harsh cleansers with soap or sulphates, not a gentle but effective cleanser