Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that usually begins in the teenage years and disappears by age 21. The condition can sometimes persist into the adult years or flare as a condition called acne rosacea in later life. Acne is caused by inflammation of the hair follicles and is most common on the face, back and chest. Features of the acne lesions include blackheads, whiteheads and cysts. In severe cases, acne may lead to permanent scarring. There is not only one driver of acne so a multi-factorial approach is needed.
Great ways to naturally care for your skin
Diet - There are foods that seem to make acne flare up due to it leading to inflammation of the hair follicles, increase in oil production along with redness and irritation. The key is determining which foods are most likely to cause acne flare ups for you. The most common foods to lead to acne flare ups are sugar and dairy, due to the inflammation and bacterial build up they cause in the skin follicles. While you’re at it, consider reducing or eliminating your consumption of alcohol. It is not unusual to find that your acne has flared after a night of drinking, especially if indulging in poor food choices at the same time.
Give cosmetics a natural makeover: Avoiding irritating skincare products and cosmetics. Invest in natural skincare products and if you wear make-up, choose mineral based so as not to clog the pores. Also don't forget to wash your brushes regularly, as these can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
.Get plenty of “beauty” sleep: There’s a reason you can’t live without adequate sleep: your body needs proper rest in order to function, but did you ever stop to consider that your hormones, stress level, and metabolism are all impacted by not only the quantity , but the quality of your sleep. Aim to hit the 'clean' pillow at a reasonable time and aim to get 8 hours of quality sleep per night. Keep in mind, 10 pm to 2 am are the most important hours for detoxification & regeneration.
Are you well hydrated? Your body is about 70 percent water, so be sure to drink plenty of clean, pure and filtered water. Keeping yourself properly hydrated will improve the overall health of your skin by keeping it hydrated and improving detoxification and elimination . If you don’t have access to a healthy source of natural spring water, use a high-quality water purification system to remove harmful heavy metals and other unwanted impurities.
Hormone changes are one of the main reasons for acne to start. This is due to the increase in testosterone at puberty increasing the sebum production in the follicles. Hormone changes can occur in adulthood after the birth of babies, cessation of hormone therapy such as the OCP or implant and peri-menopause. This is why there are different treatment options for different age groups.
Zinc is important for wound healing, and it is also known to reduce inflammation, so taking a zinc supplement with food may improve your acne. In addition to oral supplements, zinc can be added to lotions or creams that target breakouts. Foods high in zinc include Almonds, Basil, Capsicums Brazil nuts, Brewer’s yeast, Broad beans, Butter beans, Cashews, Chicken, Garlic, Ginger, Green peas, Liver, Mushrooms, Oysters, Parsley (fresh), Peanuts, Pecans, Pine nuts, Pumpkin seeds, Red meats, Sesame seeds, Spinach, Sunflower seeds, Tahini, Tomatoes (sundried), Turkey, Walnuts and Whole grains.
Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin essential for skin health and immunity. Apricots, Barley grass, Basil/chives/parsley, Carrots, Chilli, Cod liver oil, Egg yolk, Green leafy vegetables - esp spinach, Liver - esp veal, lamb, beef, chicken, Mangos, Peaches, Pumpkin, Rockmelon, Sweet potato & Tomatoes.
If acne is affecting you or someone you love then it is important for treatment to start as soon as possible to avoid scarring and emotional stress.
In health & happiness,
Kirsty
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