Skin Conditions
Aging: wrinkling, sagging of skin, redistribution of fat, loss of collagen and elastin in the skin. Glycation (sugar molecules cross-linked with protein molecules= AGEs: advanced glycation end products)on a cellular level causes wrinkling, loss of elasticity, stiffness, accelerated aging and compromised barrier function. Hormone loss and free radicals (see image above) introduced by sun damage and pollutants break down protein such as collagen and elastin, which gives our skin its shape, firmness, and bounce.
Treatment: Hydration, manual/chemical exfoliation, SPF, LED light therapy, lactic acid, glycolic acid, peptides, topical antioxidants, SPF, hyaluronic acid, stem cells, growth factors, retinol, microneedling, microcurrent, microdermabrasion, eat less sugar, eat more antioxidants and EFA's. I also advocate using a micro-needle roller at home, before and after your serums. It promotes collagen production for smoother skin and reduced wrinkle depth. Use it 1x a week and disinfect with alcohol. I also recommend an at-home lifting tool like the DermaWand hand-held radio-frequency device daily or an micro-current device like NuFace. In general, I like The Ordinary products because they are cost effective and result driven.
Hyper-pigmentation: is caused by an excess of melanin production. It can be caused by sun damage (lentigines), hormones (melasma), or trauma (post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation -PIH). This is a stubborn condition to treat, because it can take months- or longer- to see improvement.
Treatment: shade! SPF, Licorice root, kojic acid, arbutin, niacinimide, azelaic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, manual exfoliation, microdermabrasion, antioxidants, retinol, Vitamin C, retinol. I recommend Urban Skin Rx products.
Dehydration: when skin lacks water. A poor diet, medication, lack of a proper skin care regimen and the weather can be attributed to dehydrated skin.
Treatment: Hyaluronic acid (holds 1000x it’ weight in moisture), ceramides, aloe vera, cucumber, squalene, essential fatty acids, avocado (internally). Drink water! Get a humidifier for your room for extremely dehydrated types. Carry a hydrating mist in your purse.
Acne: is a chronic inflammatory disorder. It can be caused by over-production of oil, hyperkeratosis, P. acnes bacteria, excess hormones, stress, food allergies/intolerance, toxicity in the liver and the digestive track, constipation, comedogenic products, anger and repressed emotions.
Treatment: See my Clear Skin is Possible page.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): skin’s abnormal response to skin irritants, toxins in the liver and can be hereditary. Triggers can be clothing, detergents, soaps, grass, poor diet, allergens (including dust mites) to a lack of humidity, or a combination of elements. It can be triggered by digestive issues, as well, due to dairy, gluten, processed foods, or nuts.
Treatments: Primrose oil, borage seed oil, colloidal oatmeal, antioxidants, shea butter, myrrh, humidifier. A great resource for internal care is taratom.com.
Rosacea: is a chronic vascular disease that is mostly hereditary. Stress, spicy foods, bad fats, caffeine, alcohol, harsh soaps, change in weather and sun exposure can induce flare ups. Rosacea sufferers tend to have thinner skin, excess heat in the liver and gallbladder and an abundance of Demodex mites , which triggers inflammation. Avoid harsh physical scrubs, fragrances, sulfates and Clarisonic brushes.
Treatments: Lactic acid, zinc oxide/titanium dioxide SPF, retinol, azelaic acid, sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, aloe, cucumber, amino acids, shea butter. Internally- fatty acids, healthy fats, limit bad fats. Focus on cooling (think cucumbers), anti-inflammatory foods and herbs.
Hormonal Acne due to Pregnancy: Hormonal imbalances in pregnant women can cause them to suffer from acne flare ups.
Treatment: Generally, low dose acne medications that are not being applied to more than 10% of the skin’s surface, are safe while prescription medications are not. 2% Salicylic and 5% or less in Benzoyl Peroxide are deemed to be safe while Hydroquinone is not. A natural salicylic, such as willow bark, is a more conscientious alternative, or tea tree diluted.
Seborrheic Dermatitis: scaly, flaky, itchy, and red skin. Seborrheic dermatitis may involve an inflammatory reaction to a proliferation of a form of the yeast Malassezia. Genetic, environmental, hormonal, and immune-system factors have been shown to be involved in the manifestation of seborrheic dermatitis. Caffeine, sugar, alcohol, spicy foods, red meat, and gluten may trigger it.
Treatments: dandruff shampoo (as a cleanser), tea tree, aloe, anti-fungal creams, probiotics, and a Candida Cleanse would also be beneficial.
Treatment: Hydration, manual/chemical exfoliation, SPF, LED light therapy, lactic acid, glycolic acid, peptides, topical antioxidants, SPF, hyaluronic acid, stem cells, growth factors, retinol, microneedling, microcurrent, microdermabrasion, eat less sugar, eat more antioxidants and EFA's. I also advocate using a micro-needle roller at home, before and after your serums. It promotes collagen production for smoother skin and reduced wrinkle depth. Use it 1x a week and disinfect with alcohol. I also recommend an at-home lifting tool like the DermaWand hand-held radio-frequency device daily or an micro-current device like NuFace. In general, I like The Ordinary products because they are cost effective and result driven.
Hyper-pigmentation: is caused by an excess of melanin production. It can be caused by sun damage (lentigines), hormones (melasma), or trauma (post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation -PIH). This is a stubborn condition to treat, because it can take months- or longer- to see improvement.
Treatment: shade! SPF, Licorice root, kojic acid, arbutin, niacinimide, azelaic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, manual exfoliation, microdermabrasion, antioxidants, retinol, Vitamin C, retinol. I recommend Urban Skin Rx products.
Dehydration: when skin lacks water. A poor diet, medication, lack of a proper skin care regimen and the weather can be attributed to dehydrated skin.
Treatment: Hyaluronic acid (holds 1000x it’ weight in moisture), ceramides, aloe vera, cucumber, squalene, essential fatty acids, avocado (internally). Drink water! Get a humidifier for your room for extremely dehydrated types. Carry a hydrating mist in your purse.
Acne: is a chronic inflammatory disorder. It can be caused by over-production of oil, hyperkeratosis, P. acnes bacteria, excess hormones, stress, food allergies/intolerance, toxicity in the liver and the digestive track, constipation, comedogenic products, anger and repressed emotions.
Treatment: See my Clear Skin is Possible page.
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis): skin’s abnormal response to skin irritants, toxins in the liver and can be hereditary. Triggers can be clothing, detergents, soaps, grass, poor diet, allergens (including dust mites) to a lack of humidity, or a combination of elements. It can be triggered by digestive issues, as well, due to dairy, gluten, processed foods, or nuts.
Treatments: Primrose oil, borage seed oil, colloidal oatmeal, antioxidants, shea butter, myrrh, humidifier. A great resource for internal care is taratom.com.
Rosacea: is a chronic vascular disease that is mostly hereditary. Stress, spicy foods, bad fats, caffeine, alcohol, harsh soaps, change in weather and sun exposure can induce flare ups. Rosacea sufferers tend to have thinner skin, excess heat in the liver and gallbladder and an abundance of Demodex mites , which triggers inflammation. Avoid harsh physical scrubs, fragrances, sulfates and Clarisonic brushes.
Treatments: Lactic acid, zinc oxide/titanium dioxide SPF, retinol, azelaic acid, sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, aloe, cucumber, amino acids, shea butter. Internally- fatty acids, healthy fats, limit bad fats. Focus on cooling (think cucumbers), anti-inflammatory foods and herbs.
Hormonal Acne due to Pregnancy: Hormonal imbalances in pregnant women can cause them to suffer from acne flare ups.
Treatment: Generally, low dose acne medications that are not being applied to more than 10% of the skin’s surface, are safe while prescription medications are not. 2% Salicylic and 5% or less in Benzoyl Peroxide are deemed to be safe while Hydroquinone is not. A natural salicylic, such as willow bark, is a more conscientious alternative, or tea tree diluted.
Seborrheic Dermatitis: scaly, flaky, itchy, and red skin. Seborrheic dermatitis may involve an inflammatory reaction to a proliferation of a form of the yeast Malassezia. Genetic, environmental, hormonal, and immune-system factors have been shown to be involved in the manifestation of seborrheic dermatitis. Caffeine, sugar, alcohol, spicy foods, red meat, and gluten may trigger it.
Treatments: dandruff shampoo (as a cleanser), tea tree, aloe, anti-fungal creams, probiotics, and a Candida Cleanse would also be beneficial.
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