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.

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.

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.

Dry skin can be part of a symptom picture for a number of underlying medical conditions, some of which can be quite serious. If you have dry skin that has cracked and bled, medical advice should also be sought. Some medications that you have been advised to take can have dry skin as an unwanted side effect.

Why the skin is so important?

Skin is the primary defence system of the body and is actually classified as the largest organ of the body. If the skin is damaged in any way or becomes drier and drier until cracking in the skin occurs, there is danger that microbes can enter the skin. These microbes can enter causing bacterial and fungal infections.

Untreated dry skin can lead to dermatitis – inflammation of the skin, causing itchiness, redness and swelling and again can become open to infection, especially if it is scratched due to the itchiness. So we can see it pays to look after our skin – if you are worried about your dry skin or it is making you miserable – see your doctor.

Medical Causes

• Hypothyroidism – a low thyroid condition that can cause dry skin by reducing the amount of oil produced by the body and other symptoms such as intolerance to cold and weight gain.

• Dehydration – dry skin associated with infrequent, dark urine, headaches.

• Underweight – especially if fats have been avoided in an effort to lose weight.

• Malnutrition – linked to low oil and fatty acid intake. A healthy body and healthy skin need some oils and essential fatty acids to maintain the lipid barrier and these are some of the body’s best natural moisturisers.

• Diabetes – fluctuations in glucose levels can lead to dehydration and this also will cause the skin to dry.

• Genetic Predisposition.

• Eczema and psoriasis – skin conditions that may be diagnosed.

Medications that can cause Dry Skin

There are a number of medications that can cause dry skin such as:

• High blood pressure medication – diuretic action

• Allergy treatment such as antihistamines

• Retinoids used in the treatment of acne

If you notice you develop dry skin after taking a new medication, speak to your doctor. Many cases of dry skin are easy to treat and are not a sign of more serious health conditions, but if in doubt – get it checked out.

Conditions which raise vata dosha

• Late nights and not enough sleep

• Eating irregularly

• Excess physical exertion

• Excess mental exertion

• Eating too much spicy, dry, hot and bitter foods

• Exposure to cold and dry climates

Ayuvedic advice for Dry Skin

• Do not overheat the body by the fire

• Do not have prolonged exposure to cold weather

• Avoid, fried, stale and dried out foods

• Include salt and sour foods in the diet

• Include a little oil or ghee in each meal

• Eat fruits that are sweet and juicy such as mangoes and oranges

• Moisturise the body with massage oils

• Drink warm water as cold water increases vata in the body

Hand care

Hands tend to have problems with dryness rather than oiliness as there are fewer glands that produce sebum. Therefore we need to replace the moisture we lose from the constant immersion in water that they undergo daily. Cleaning agents and detergents can be harsh and drying to the skin so the use of rubber gloves when doing dishes or cleaning is advisable. The same applies to gardening – gloves will serve to protect the hands and less scrubbing will be need to clean them. If gloves don’t appeal, the use of a good barrier cream will help stop chemicals and dirt entering the skin.

What to avoid

• Very hot and very cold water
• Harsh soaps and detergents that remove natural oils
• Sun damage from sun exposure
• Cleaning chemicals
• Nail products containing acetone or formaldehyde

What to do to look after your hands

• Always use a broad spectrum sun block
• Use gloves when gardening and using cleaning chemicals
• Avoid immersion in overly hot water and harsh detergents
• Use a hand moisturiser frequently to prevent the skin from drying out
• Moisturise after washing the hands
• Treat  them to a warm oil massage for deep moisturising

Body Basics

Skin that is healthy is covered in a thin layer of natural lipids forming a lipid defence barrier. Lipids are a fatty like substance that helps to protect the skin from foreign invaders but also prevent excess moisture loss, keeping the moisture in and therefore the skin soft and supple. We need to look after this layer to keep our skin looking and feeling good.

External

• Avoid long, hot showers.
• Dry gently.
• Moisturise regularly and  immediately after bathing.
• Combat drying from central heating and air conditioning with a humidifier.
• Avoid clothing or detergents that irritate the skin.
• Gently exfoliate with wash cloth or make your own by mixing soft brown sugar, a little olive oil and add water slowly to get the desired consistency.
• Avoid soaps, detergents and sulphates.

Internal

• Drink enough water to keep the body well hydrated.
• Eat a balanced diet, a broad spectrum of all the colours in fruit and vegetables.
• Keep the body ‘oiled’ with all the good fats such as cold pressed virgin olive oil, avocado, walnuts, flaxseed, evening primrose oil and cold water fish such as tuna and salmon.
• Include wholegrain and foods that not overly processed.
• Over consumption of alcohol can have a drying effect on the skin.

How does diet affect my skin?

A diet that is low in healthy foods and high in overly refined and processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, sugar and ‘bad’ fats will result in unhealthy skin. The better we eat – the better our skin will look. Foods that are high in water content and an adequate water intake will all help to hydrate and therefore plump the skin cells.

Fresh unprocessed foods have vitamins and minerals that help promote optimal functioning of the oil glands, keeping the skin supple and smooth. Supporting the lipid barrier keeps the skin supple and smooth and therefore less moisture is lost and the skin is less dry.

What to avoid:

• Highly refined processed foods
• Excess caffeine and alcohol as they have a diuretic action
• Low daily water intake
• A diet high in fat and sugar, avoid fried foods
• Artificial sweeteners

What to include:

• Eat raw foods for the high water content
• Water based fruit such as watermelon, cantaloupe and oranges
• Water based vegetables such as cucumber, tomatoes and peppers
• Foods that contain sulphur like eggs, garlic and asparagus
• Flaxseeds, ground or as an oil, extra virgin cold pressed oil
• Avocados – that help the oil glands to lubricate the skin
• Adequate hydration, particularly in hot climates or when exercising
• Foods from all the spectrum of colours for antioxidants to help fight free radicals that damage the skin

• Use lukewarm rather than hot water for the same reason.

• Pat dry gently rather than rub with a towel.

• Avoid using skin care products with alcohol, perfumes, colourings and other ingredients that may be irritating. Dry skin is often sensitive.

• Avoid cleansers with soap or detergents in them.

• Prolonged exposure to heating and air conditioning and winds.

Do I have dry skin?

The mildest form of dry skin can be recognised by a feeling of slight tightness in the skin, some mild flaking and be annoying. Severe dry skin can have flaking, itching, red discolouration, severe tightness and even cracking. Dry skin can age faster as untreated dryness can lead to premature visible signs of aging.

Dry Skin – Medical Conditions

Dry skin can be part of a symptom picture for a number of underlying medical conditions, some of which can be quite serious.

An examination by a doctor is advisable if you still have chronic dry skin problems after making dietary, lifestyle and skincare regime changes. If you have dry skin that has cracked and bled, medical advice should also be sought. Some medications that you have been advised to take can have dry skin as an unwanted side effect.

Why the skin is so important?

Skin is the primary defence system of the body and is actually classified as the largest organ of the body. If the skin is damaged in any way or becomes drier and drier until cracking in the skin occurs, there is danger that microbes can enter the skin. These microbes can enter causing bacterial and fungal infections.

Untreated dry skin can lead to dermatitis – inflammation of the skin, causing itchiness, redness and swelling and again can become open to infection, especially if it is scratched due to the itchiness. So we can see it pays to look after our skin – if you are worried about your dry skin or it is making you miserable – see your doctor.

Medical Causes

• Hypothyroidism – a low thyroid condition that can cause dry skin by reducing the amount of oil produced by the body and other symptoms such as intolerance to cold and weight gain.

• Dehydration – dry skin associated with infrequent, dark urine, headaches.

• Underweight – especially if fats have been avoided in an effort to lose weight.

• Malnutrition – linked to low oil and fatty acid intake. A healthy body and healthy skin need some oils and essential fatty acids to maintain the lipid barrier and these are some of the body’s best natural moisturisers.

• Diabetes – fluctuations in glucose levels can lead to dehydration and this also will cause the skin to dry.

• Genetic Predisposition

• Eczema and psoriasis – skin conditions that may be diagnosed.

Medications that can cause dry skin

There are a number of medications that can cause dry skin such as:

• High blood pressure medication – diuretic action

• Allergy treatment such as antihistamines

• Retinoids used in the treatment of acne

If you notice you develop dry skin after taking a new medication, speak to your doctor.

Many cases of dry skin are easy to treat and are not a sign of more serious health conditions, but if in doubt – get it checked out.

Photographs of dry skin before treatment

Photographs of dry skin after treatment