PREVENTING PIMPLES

What can you do to stop acne?

YOUR LIFE & ACNE CAUSES

I have heard this so many times..."Is your lifestyle causing your acne?" No, it's not your lifestyle. But the way you live affects your whole body, including its largest organ: the skin.

What could affect your skin? The place you work, the hours you keep, the ways you play -- all of these can take a toll on the epidermis, especially in those who are prone to acne. We've learned about acne triggers you might not be aware of, and we learned a few things that you can do to avoid them.

Since your skin is always in contact with your environment, it's important to pay attention to the objects with which you come into contact on a regular basis. You may be exposing yourself to comedogenic (pore-clogging) substances at work without even knowing it. Now, of course, these substances are not the cause of your acne, but, they can aggravate it. For example: the airborne grease in a fast-food restaurant can create an invisible film on your skin, clogging your pores. Most industrial oils -- the kinds used in cars, in factories, on bicycles -- are pore cloggers as well.

The simplest thing you can do for your skin may surprise you: Go to sleep! Scientists and my mother would agree that a good night's sleep -- at least eight hours -- can do wonders for your complexion. How? A healthy, well-rested body has the resources to build a strong immune system. While a robust immune system won't prevent acne altogether, it can help fight infection.

While it's true that small amounts of sun exposure may initially improve acne, don't be fooled; the benefit is temporary. Consistent sun bathing will dry your skin, causing your pores to produce more oil. Also, skin that has been exposed to the sun has to slough old cells more frequently; when you combine the extra oil and extra dead cells, you create the ideal environment for blocked pores and zits. So if you work (or play) in the sun, it's important to protect your skin with sunscreen. Look for oil-free products that provide at least an SPF 15 protection level from UVA and UVB rays.

What about stress? Is this a cause of acne? Yes. Not surprisingly, stress often has a starring role in the ongoing acne drama. "Ninety percent of my patients complain about what stress does to their skin. It has a huge impact, and it's becoming a bigger problem every day.

Here's how acne and stress combine to make a pimple. When you become tense, your adrenal glands go work, flooding your bloodstream with the hormone "cortisol". This triggers the sweat glands in your face to produce more oil. When your sebaceous glands go into high gear, there's a higher probability that this excess oil will mix with dead skin cells and clog your pores, trapping bacteria inside. The result? More acne.

A balanced diet and at least seven hours of sleep every night will help you build a stronger physical foundation; if you're well fed and well rested, you're less likely to feel irritated by the events of your day. Try to get some exercise every day, even if it's just a walk around the block at lunchtime. It's an important step towards overall good health, and therefore the health of your skin.

Diets

Don't eat that -- you'll get zits! Wrong! The fact is, even after extensive study, scientists have not found a connection between diet and acne. Not chocolate. Not french fries. Not pizza. Of course if you rub melted chocolate, french fries and pizza into your face, you might get a zit.

There are a number of nutrients found in everyday foods that are known to promote a healthy body -- and therefore healthy skin. Get wise to these substances, and you'll increase your chances of conquering your acne. Naturally occurring Vitamin A, or retinol, is found in fish oils, liver and dairy products. The Vitamin A produced by plants is known as Beta-carotene, and is found in yellow/orange fruits and vegetable such as carrots, yams, apricots and cantaloupe, as well as green vegetables like parsley, kale and spinach. Extremely high doses of Vitamin A are toxic, so don't overdo it.

Stress has been known to aggravate existing cases of acne, and Vitamin B-2 is often helpful alleviating stress. Foods with a high concentration of B-2 include whole grains, fish, milk, eggs, meat and leafy green vegetables.

Vitamin B-3 can help too. It's found in peanuts, eggs, avocados, liver and lean meats, Vitamin B-3 improves circulation, promoting healthy skin. It also reduces the cholesterol level in the blood and helps you metabolize protein, sugar & fat -- increasing your energy through proper utilization of food.

Vitamin E is found in almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, broccoli, wheat germ and vegetable oils. A powerful antioxidant, it protects your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of the body's metabolism.

Finally - Zinc. Even in trace amounts, the antioxidant zinc is known to boost the immune system, improving overall health -- which of course is reflected in the skin. Zinc can be found in eggs, whole grains, nuts and mushrooms.

Know your own acne triggers, use your common sense. Drink lots of water and eat a healthy, balanced diet -- but don't be afraid to indulge your cravings every now and then. Thanks for reading, Maggie Reynolds.

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