SolveYourProblem
eLearning Series:
Please Get Rid Of My Acne!
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11 pages )
Acne
Prevention: Stress
7.
Stress – Since your skin in your largest organ, how you
live can sure influence how healthy your skin is. And
stress, not necessarily “bad” stress, but rather certain
external and internal stressors, factor into this health
equation. So let’s take a look at how to handle these stressors
with regards to acne prevention.
External
Stressors – A goal of acne prevention would be
to keep your skin pores clear from clogging and becoming
infected and irritated, resulting in blemishes and inflammation.
So you need to take a look at your external environment
throughout the day for factors that could trigger skin
pore clogging. Here are some examples of what to look for:
grease, oils and sun, like being around open fryers in
kitchen areas, or around machine oil and grease in workshops
or factories, or out in the sun all day on a construction
jobsite. Too much oil, grease or sun on the skin can clog
pores and trigger acne and other skin irritations. Minimize
contact by wearing long sleeves and other protective wear
and gear and discussing further options with your dermatologist
or healthcare provider. With regards to being out in the
sun, note that a small amount of sun each day can be fine
and healthy. However, extended periods can trigger the
sebaceous glands to create more oil as your skin dries
out. At the same time, the dried out skin needs to be cast
off or shed at a faster rate than normal. The resulting
extra oils and dead skin make a wonderful environment for
pore clogging. So here, too, use protective clothing for
outdoor activities and apply sunscreen; oil-free products
are best for acne-prone people, and those with a minimum
protection of SPF 15 and both UVA and UVB protection.
Internal
Stressors – Internal stressors like anxiety, fear,
low self-esteem, depression and a variety of other internalized
emotions, can trigger chemical reactions inside your body
that can result in acne flare-ups and other skin irritations.
What happens is that these emotions can set your adrenal
glands to work creating more cortisol, the substance that
in turn causes your sebaceous glands to produce increased
amounts of sebum oil, excessive amounts of which can be
blocked in pores. Same old story: extra oil + extra dead
skin cells = blocked pores, triggering acne flare-ups.
With internal stressors, though, the results are usually
“inflamed papules” or small, solid inflammations (or skin
elevations that do not contain pus), instead of whiteheads
or blackheads.
To
combat internal stressors and prevent acne problems, here
are some suggestions. Get plenty of rest and sleep a recommended
average of eight hours per night. Try to maintain regular
hours each day, regardless of which shift your work. Some
say to focus on reducing SWAT: reduce your stress, worry,
anxiety and tension, so journal a little each day mentioning
any “SWAT” stressors you’ve felt. And focus on those that
may seem overwhelming or to be taking too long to “end,”
seeking help from others or other resources as needed for
stress management. Check with your dietician or healthcare
provider to establish and follow a regular well-balanced
dietary and exercise plan of action to keep your body healthy
on the inside and outside. Keep a check list of “Things that
Calm You” handy for stressful times, like reading a book,
resting, listening to music, taking a walk, going out for
an ice cream cone, etc.
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