Elevated hormone levels can cause the sebaceous (oil producing) glands to form greater amounts of sebum (oil). These glands are attached, under the skin, to the sides of each hair shaft, and together form a unit called a follicle. The opening of the skin is referred to as a pore. The oil produced is necessary to lubricate the hair and skin. Most of the time the oil glands produce the right amount of sebum, and the pores are fine. When excess oil production is triggered, the pores can get clogged and bacteria begin to multiply, which leads to acne. Sometimes the pore is so blocked that it ruptures the skin and spills the contents into the surroundings. This causes inflammation, irritation and results in the deep "underground" pimple we know as an acne nodule or cyst.
Recent studies have shown that the typical Western diet contributes greatly to the incidence and severity of acne. Our diets are rich in refined carbohydrates and sugars. This triggers our bodies to produce a surge in insulin. It also causes an excess of male hormones which encourage the skin to excrete more oil and subsequent abundant growth of bacteria. Studies have shown that populations not fed on a Western diet are virtually acne-free. Yet when they move to cities and change their diet, they begin to experience acne for the first time ever.
Tips for Clear, Beautiful Skin
Cleanse twice daily. It is not necessary to wash your face every hour, as this can strip off too much oil from your skin and trigger over-production to compensate.
- Maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet.
- Eat organic whenever possible. Your body does not need the extra hormones and antibiotics found in typical meats, chicken or even farm-raised fish.
- Refrain from touching the area.
- Take care to keep hair sprays and gels on your hair but off your face.
- Use a moisturizer if you need one. You don't have to dry out your skin to treat acne.
- Try an over-the-counter homeopathic remedy.
- Some dermatologists offer a new laser treatment (Smooth Beam) which can help to clear acne in a few monthly sessions.
Beautiful skin is pleasurable to behold. Following these steps you can help create and maintain beautiful skin throughout your life.
Skin Care Tips for the winter Months
The Department of Dermatology at the University of Iowa Hospital describes healthy skin as "a multi-layer cake covered by a single sheet of clear plastic food wrap to keep it fresh. The plastic food wrap prevents the frosting and underlying layers of the cake from drying out by preventing loss (evaporation) of the water from the cake into the air. It is the moisture in the cake that gives it its freshness. The outermost layer of the skin, which acts like the plastic food wrap and is about the same thickness, is called the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum consists of dead skin cells embedded in a mixture of natural oils (lipids) that are made by underlying living skin cells. These natural skin oils keep the water inside our body from escaping into the air and also keep irritating substances and germs from entering the body. Both the skin oils and 421 Sensation the dead skin cells hold a certain amount of water in the stratum corneum and it is this stratum corneum water that helps keep the skin soft, pliable and smooth."
Now imagine that cake was a cheesecake and someone poked holes in the clear wrap protecting it. Very soon it would become dried out and stale. Left for a few days it would begin to crack. That's exactly what happens to your skin. When this protective layer of the skin is damaged you lose your natural moisture and your protective layer can't function properly. Winter weather and indoor heat can damage your protective layer. Too much soapy water, exposure to harsh chemicals and environmental toxins can also affect it. When it is compromised small cracks occur exposing your underlying cells to irritating substances and germs in the environment.
Until recently the only choice you had to treat dry skin was conventional moisturizers, but research into how healthy skin functions led to the development of a new skin care treatment: shielding lotions that mimic this protective layer and help your skin heal naturally.
Ten Winter Skin Care Tips
1. Avoid long soaks in hot, soapy water. Relaxing in a hot bath sounds wonderful when you're cold, but hot, soapy water can remove the protective oils from your skin
2. Use a mild bath product or one that is pH balanced. Look for natural ingredients
3. Pat your skin to dry it don't rub
4. Apply a shielding lotion right after the bath or shower to help the skin's protective layer stay intact
5. Reapply every four to six hours to maintain the integrity of the layer all day
6. Look at the ingredients on any product you buy to treat severe itching. Stay away from those with chemicals that could make the condition worse
7. Moisturize from the inside out. What you eat affects the condition of your skin. Add walnuts, Canola Oil and ground flaxseeds to your diet
8. Eat foods rich in Vitamin E - green leafy vegetables and wheat germ flakes
9. Drink at least eight glasses of liquid - preferably good water. Stay away from sodas or drinks with caffeine, which dry the skin
10. Use a humidifier to increase the level of marsh winter weather and indulgence over the holiday season are two good reasons to reassess your skin care routine. When the temperature drops and the heat gets turned up indoors your skin is exposed to low humidity both indoors and out, causing "winter itch." It affects people of all ages, with or without other skin problems. Rubbing and scratching these itchy areas can produce rough skin that can crack, especially on the hands and feet. It can even lead to dermatitis, when the skin becomes red and inflamed in addition to being dry and scaly.
Treat your skin right in the winter months and you'll have healthy glowing skin to put on show once summer arrives.
