Stress can trigger flare-up of acne

THE CLAIM: Chronically bad skin or the occasional nasty breakout can
be a major source of stress. That much is known. But what about the
reverse? Although scientists have suspected for some time that
emotional stress can cause or worsen acne, the evidence for the
claim has mostly been weak, stemming largely from anecdotal reports
and a few small studies.

THE FACTS: But now the answer appears fairly clear. A new study, the
largest on the subject to date, was able not only to confirm the
relationship, but also to provide a possible
explanation.
The study, conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University,
followed 94 high school students with mild or moderate acne for
several months. Acne is generally associated with high levels of
sebum, the oily substance that coats the skin and protects the hair.

Because sebum levels are known to wax and wane with variations in
weather, the study was conducted where the temperature and humidity
rarely change, Singapore.
Using a standard measure of stress, the researchers showed that in
periods of high emotional strain, like before major exams, the
students were 23 percent more likely to experience breakouts. At the
same time, their sebum production did not vary much whether they
were experiencing high or low stress, indicating that levels of the
substance had little or no role. Instead, the results may have more
to do with inflammation. Other studies have shown that stress can
provoke inflammation, and acne is an inflammatory disease.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Research suggests that stress can in fact lead to
bad skin.

Acne & Its Treatment

Acne is one of the most common problem in males and females. Acne
affects up to 85% of people ages 12-25. Even adults in their thirties
and forties can develop acne. Acne affects directly on ones
personality and one feels uncomfortable. While acne will disappear
after several years. But there is acne that goes untreated can cause
deep pitting and leave unsightly permanent scars. Acne develops when
the sebaceous glands in the skin overproduce an oily substance
possibly due to hormonal changes that peak during the teen years.
Sebaceous glands are attached to hair follicles all over the body, but
they are especially plentiful and active on the face, neck and upper
body, where acne strikes.

Normally the sebum flows from the sebaceous glands, up through the
hair follicle and out of a pore on the skin's surface. When too much
sebum is produced, it blocks the openings of the glands, where sebum
and dead skin cells accumulate, forming a plug called a comedo. If the
comedo stays below the surface of the skin, it is light in color and
called a whitehead. If it enlarges and pops out the tip looks dark and
it is called a blackhead. However, this is not dirt and will not wash
off. The darkness is caused by an accumulation of melanin, the dark
pigment in the skin. In addition, the mixture of oil and dead cells
help bacteria in the follicles to grow. Bacteria thrive on the oil,
growing readily beneath the skin and leading to infection. This
produces redness and pus formation or in more serious cases the
infection spreads into deeper skin layers and causes cysts.

Skin Care

here are five basic skin types: Oily, combination/normal, sensitive,
dry and sun-damaged. Your skin type is determined by how much — or how
little — oil your skin produces. Genes, diet, stress level, medication and
even your skin care regimen all determine how much oil your skin produces

Every now and then we come across advertisements promoting a certain skin
product. Some of these seem really appealing and we want to lay our hands on
them as soon as possible. But beware! There is no compromise when it comes
to skin. So, let's find out what our skin type is and how we can take care
of it.

There are five basic skin types: Oily, combination/normal, sensitive,
dry and sun-damaged. Your skin type is determined by how much — or how
little — oil your skin produces. Genes, diet, stress level, medication and
even your skin care regimen all determine how much oil your skin produces.

Rona Berg, in her book Beauty: the New Basics, details the five different
skin types. Here's how to tell what skin type you have.

To do this, Berg suggests you take the 'skin test'. Wash your face, pat it
dry, then take a few pieces of rice paper or lens-cleaning tissue paper and
press on different spots on your face. If your skin is oily, the paper will
stick and become translucent. If the paper doesn't stick, your skin is dry.
If it sticks in your t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) then you have
combination (or normal) skin.

Here are the five different skin types and their characteristics:

Type 1 — Oily : Oily skin tends to be shiny with enlarged pores, and is
prone to blackheads and blemishes. The constant shine causes a constant
wiping of the skin, promoting blemishes, black-heads, pimples and acne.
Thus, this type of skin has over-reactive sebaceous (oil-producing) glands.

Type 2 — Combination/normal: This skin type has a balanced oil and
water content and feels smooth and velvety. The colour of the skin glows
below the translucent surface. It has medium pores, a smooth and even
texture with tiny pores, good circulation, healthy complexion, may tend
toward dryness on the cheeks while being oily in the t-zone.

What we consider to be normal skin never suffers from being too dry or too
oily. Like all skin types though it does age and can be damaged from being
over exposed to the sun, wind, heat, cold, pollutants and other elements.

Type 3 — Dry: Dry skin feels tight, especially after cleansing, and has fine
wrinkles, flaking and red patches. This skin type is the most uncomfortable
of all skin types. Wrinkles can happen more rapidly with dry skin because of
the lack of moisture to help make it supple and pliable. This type of skin
lacks both sebum and moisture.

Type 4 — Aging or sun-damaged: This skin also feels tight with visible
wrinkles, slack skin tone — especially around the cheeks and jaw line — with
leathery texture and broken capillaries. Many factors play into wrinkled and
loose skin; genetics, hormones (or should it be said lack of), too much
exposure to sun, wind, pollutants, water, smoking, over working and under
playing and incorrect or non-use of ingredients which are necessary to
maintain healthy skin.

Type 5 — Sensitive: Sensitive skin tends to be thin, delicate with fine
pores. It flushes easily, is prone to broken capillaries, is frequently
allergic and may have rashes. Sensitive skin is more of a condition than an
actual skin type. This type of skin can have allergic reactions to beauty
products and is usually sensitive to sun, wind and cold weather.

Taking care of your skin

Now that we know what skin type we have, the next question is, how do we
take care of it? Here are a few tips which I am sure you will find useful
pertaining to your specific skin type.

Oily skin — Oily skin requires more cleansing than any other skin. A proper
method of cleansing is the form of preventive care that can be given to an
oily skin. There are three steps involved in cleansing:-

(1) The surface film of oil and dirt must be removed. Wash your skin with a
medicated soap using lukewarm water. Use non-alkaline soaps in cream form.

(2) Free the pores of the accumulated grease so that blackheads are
discouraged. The skin tonic applied after cleansing has a healing action and
also helps to tighten the pores and refresh the skin. Rose water would prove
to be an excellent skin tonic.

(3) Through cleansing the problem of acne can be avoided. Deep pore
cleansing helps in improving both the texture and colour of the skin, apart
from correcting imbalances. Honey is a natural moisturiser best suited for
oily skin type. Buy water-based moisturisers and make-up and use powder to
minimise shine.

Combination/normal skin — Cleaning as a rule comes first. The dry area
should be wiped with light re-hydrant gel, using moist cotton wool. Wash the
oily area with a medicated soap at least two times a day.

Moisturising might require light massaging with a nourishing cream on the
dry regions. Wipe off all the cream with a moist cotton wool after 20
minutes. Avoid using strong astringents on your skin, for it might lead to
excessive dryness, leaving the skin tight and dehydrated. Products that
contain alpha hydroxy acids and vitamin A retinols can help balance
combination skin. Use oil-absorbing makeup to reduce shine.

Dry skin — The first step in your routine should be cleansing. Always use
moist cotton wool to clean your face to prevent absorption of the moisture
from the skin.

Add a teaspoon of liquid paraffin in your last bathwater and pour it down
your shoulder. This will help to keep your skin moist all day long and
protect the skin against harsh effects of the sun. The second step in your
daily routine should be toning, which is an essential follow-up of the
cleansing process. Rose water is one of the oldest skin freshener and toner
that can be used.

The next step is nourishing the skin with a nourishing cream (with
vitamin-E) smothered upward over the face and downwards from the chin.

Avoid toners and makeup that contain alcohol as alcohol-based products have
a drying effect on the skin.

Natural ingredients like honey, milk, Aloe Vera, yoghurt, chamomile oil and
egg are good for nourishing the skin.

Wrinkled skin — Antioxidants have been shown to be one of the best natural
remedies to soften face wrinkles. Antioxidants include vitamins A, E, and C.

Using natural exfoliants can also help soften the appearance of wrinkles by
gently removing the top layers of your skin.

Sensitive skin — Look for soap, make-up, and moisturisers that are
fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. Wash your face once a day and avoid using
skin exfoliants. Use a hypoallergenic toner on oily areas, but discontinue
if it causes irritation.

And always remember, when it comes to looking young and attractive, nothing
may be important than taking care of your skin.

Accutane (isotretinoin)

FDA notified consumers and healthcare professionals of
a special webpage launched to warn about the dangers of buying
isotretinoin online. Isotretinoin is a drug approved for the treatment of
severe acne that does not respond to other forms of treatment. If the drug
is improperly used, it can cause severe side effects, including birth
defects. Serious mental health problems have also been reported with
isotretinoin use.
The new webpage, http://www.fda.gov/buyonline/accutane, will appear in
online search results for Accutane (isotretinoin) or one of the generic
versions, Amnesteem, Claravis, and Sotret. The webpage warns that the drug
should only be taken under the close supervision of a physician or a
pharmacist, and provides links to helpful information. The new webpage is
in addition to special safeguards put in place by FDA and manufacturers of
isotretinoin to reduce the risks of the drug, including a risk management
program called iPLEDGE. The aim of iPLEDGE is to ensure that women using
isotretinoin do not become pregnant, and that women who are pregnant do
not use isotretinoin.