NORMAL SKIN

Normal skin is firm with dense connective tissue and muscle fibers. It is supple and has numerous elastic fibers that are in excellent condition. The skin appears dense, overall the complexion is matte. It secretes just enough sebum. The texture is fine. There are no visible pores and it is very smooth. The skin is even color with good circulation.

SENSITIVE SKIN

The sensitive skin has fine texture with thin surface and blood vessels very close to the surface. As a result, it can be easily affected by internal and external factors causing blotchiness, redness, increased warmth, dehydration and irritation. The sensitive skin can feel taunt over the bone areas and have tendency toward dryness. While there is always the danger of over stimulating the skin, it is important to increase the cellular function to improve elasticity. Generally, the skin layer is very thin with unbalanced protective film (moisture). Sensitive skin is easily stimulated by stress, causing vasodilation, chronic dehydration, and often arctic oil production. A person with dry sensitive skin will tend to get drier under stress, whereas as person who is oily tends to easily erupt with acne and show a greasy film.

DRY SKIN or ALIPIC SKIN

There are two type of skin dryness. These conditions often coexist, contributing toward the predisposition to winkles, dehydration and irritation. A skin may become dry because it has lost its superficial moisture. This can happen, even on skins that produce too much oil. The surface of the skin feels taunt, is flaky and often slightly itchy. The second condition, which is more problematic, is where the oil gland don't produce enough sebum. This is true for underactive skin. The skin often looks normal to fine in texture, but it is dull. The follicles are quite invisible. The skin is delicate, easily irritated and rough. It may be prone to reddening or may be quite sallow (yellowish). It usually feels tight.

DEHYDRATED SKIN

Dehydrated skin is scaly, taunt, with superficial lines and premature aging. Dehydration is caused by loss of water on the skin surface.

MATURE SKIN

Mature skin looks withered which is caused primarily by deficiency in nutritional components. The skin appears looser and thinner. The elastic fibers are degenerate due to water loss while the fat tissue reduce in thickness, causing a general breakdown in skin elasticity. There is a dramatic reduction in oil production causing dryness. The circulation is reduced due to cholesterol deposits in the arterioles. Pigmentary disorders may result causing brown spots. May have tendency toward couperose (dilated capillaries) skin, showing redness.

COUPEROSE SKIN

Rosacea skin condition is caused by weakness in capillary vessels. It is characterized by a localized reddening of the skin.

OILY SKIN

Oily skin is characterized by overabundant secretion of the sebaceous gland. This condition if incorrectly treated by the individual give rise to other problems. Contrary to belief , this skin can be sensitive and is often mishandled by harsh products designed to dry out the oiliness of the skin. Such products eliminate the oil on the surface and by doing so causes the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. There are two types of oily skin. Oily skin which oozes oils causing a shiny wet appearance ( seborrhea oleosa) and oily skin which clogs the pores (seborrhea sicca) . It has a collection of harden sebum and dead cells in the pores. The successful treatment of oily skin requires patience, since excessive oil production is a symptom of and internal problem.

ACNE SKIN

Acne is a chronic inflammatory disorder that occurs in the adolescent as well as the adult. The acne skin is thick, coarse, with large follicular orifices (pores). It is shiny with blocked pores (opened and closed blackheads). It contains pustules with white or yellow tinged centers.

What causes acne?

The causes contributing to acne are internal and external.

INTERNAL: Genetic, hormonal, stress (emotional), poor diet and certain drugs (cortisone).

EXTERNAL: Lack of personal hygiene, topical pressure or friction through restrictive clothing, and comedogenic creams and cosmetics.

In most cases acne is the result of an internal malfunction manifesting as a symptom on the face, chest and back. This is often aggravated externally through improper management and the wrong kinds of products.

The pathogenic factors which causes acne are:

1. Increased production of free fatty acids due to bacterial activity.

2. Obstruction of follicular orifices (pores) with keratinized cells (dead skin), sebum and debris.

3. Increased production of keratin (dead skin)

Can the location where my symptoms appear indicate something?

SYMPTOM / ROOT CAUSE

Little pustules on the forehead / small intestine - constipation.

Blind pustules on the temples / Liver, gall bladder - Toxin storage (vitamin overdose).

Puffiness under the eyes / Kidneys - bladder problem.

Blemishes on the cheeks / Stomach - digestive problem.

Flaking by the side of nose / Large intestine - bowel problems

Sagging skin on underneath cheeks / Lungs - oxygenation of skin.

Pustules and flaking on chin / Gynecological areas - hormonal imbalance.

Blind pustules underside of the chin / Large intestine - Toxin storage (bowel/diet).

What is the holistic method for treating acne?

DIET AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS:

Avoid fried foods, butter, cheeses, whole milk, ice cream, rich salad dressings, chocolate, fatty meats, anything from cocoa or coffee beans, other stimulants, sweets and processed nut products.

Include fresh fruits, plenty of water, fresh and cooked vegetables, lean meats, broiled fish, chicken, whole-grain cereals and other complex carbohydrates. The diet should allow regular bowl movements.

Foods containing bromides, iodine and caffeine stimulate the endocrine system, which in turn increases the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous gland.

Vitamin A and Zinc supplements can be helpful, but use only proper dosage as recommended on the bottle.

How does hormones effects acne skin?

PUBERTY:

Puberty causes the secretion of certain gonadotrophic hormones by the anterior pituitary gland. The target organs of these gonadotrophic hormones are gonads (the ovaries in woman or testes in man). In addition, the adrenal cortex is stimulated at puberty. Both of these glands, the adrenal cortex and the gonads, are encouraged to excrete large quantities of steroid hormones into the circulatory system. In the male, the influence of adrenal hormones on bodily changes is overshadowed by the action of testicular hormones. In female, the female estrogen produces by the ovaries works in conjunction with the male androgens from the adrenal cortex to create secondary sex characteristics. This sudden surge of male hormones (called androgens) in both sexes results in bodily hair growth as well as increase in oil flow from the sebaceous glands. This increase in oil flow does not automatically lead to acne, but it sets the stage and no acne is possible without it. Only a small amount is needed to stimulate the oil glands, and it is impossible to distinguish the adrenal levels of acne patients form those of clear skinned types.

HEREDITY:

People with chronically oily skin and lingering acne have been found to harbor and especially active enzyme that converts testosterone, one of the androgens, into a more potent form called dihydro-testosterone. This is the factor directly responsible for releasing more oil. It is thought that if the effect dihydro-testosterone on the sebaceous glands could be counteracted then acne could be controlled. The challenge lies in accomplishing this without tampering with the body's normal hormonal makeup. Genes are also believed to play a stage setting role, since acne and its degree of severity often run in families. Heredity can help determine the amount of oil you body produces, the kind of bacteria nesting in your glands, the strength of your follicular walls, and other factor linked to either your resistance or your susceptibility.

ACNE IN ADULTHOOD:

Occasionally the onset of acne in adulthood can signal the presence of pituitary, adrenal, or ovarian tumors. The condition will usually be accompanied by other signs of excess androgen or erratic hormone activity: Irregular menstrual periods, the growth of facial hair, and deepening of the voice. Other factors, if not direct causes, may aggravate and already existing case of acne. In cases of anxiety and stress, the body signals the pituitary gland to release more of its hormones to meet the challenge. These, in turn, stimulate the adrenal cortex to pour more androgens into the bloodstream. Since people vary in their tolerance to extra androgens, not everyone under pressure will have an acne flare-up. But stress will put those who are susceptible at higher risk. Stress can also lead to nervous scratching and picking of the face, which can irritate pimples and drive them deeper into the skin. To complicate matters, it has been found that the output of fatty acids is also increased during stress.

PREGNANCY AND MENOPAUSE:

Hormonal changes in women during pregnancy and menopause are also contributing factors in oil secretion and hair growth since hormones produced by the ovaries have inhibiting effect of the anterior pituitary. If secretion from the ovaries is affected in any way, there may be lack of control over the pituitary gland. This can result in a hyperstimulation by pituitary hormones of the adrenal cortex, which in turn can produce an excess androgens, which can lead to excessive oil production and hair growth.

What are the factors causing premature aging?

SUN AND AGING PROCESS

The ultraviolet component abetted by infrared radiation is notorious enemy of good skin. Practically all the dreary stigmata registered on premature skin are sunshine induced. Sunlight not only causes skin cancer, but it accelerates and accentuates all sagging, wrinkling, and yellowing of the skin associated with aging. The redness in the sunburn represents injury, damage that will accumulate over the years.

OTHER FACTORS CAUSING PREMATURE AGING

Genetic factors - such as slack, weak tissues, and or fragile thin skin. Illness, particularly nervous disorders, sudden weight loss, and malnutrition impacts the aging process. Besides sun, any exposure to harsh climatic conditions and temperature extremes should be avoided. Nicotine is not only harmful in the long run, but causes considerable esthetic damage: dehydration lines and a reduction of peripheral circulation, ultimately resulting in skin atrophy. Stress, worry and lack of rest should be considered a major obstacle to well being, beauty and longevity. Gravity, and facial expression, menopause, also causes wrinkles.

What are the main objectives to reduce couperose skin?

Strengthen the capillary wall by taking vitamin C or P (bio-flavinoids). Avoid stimulants such as caffeine,and sugar. Avoid sun exposure. Use products on the skin that are vaso-constricting ( azulene products) and soothing (chamomile).

What causes surface dehydration?

Using products that are harsh on the skin such as soap or acne treatments. Neglect by not drinking enough water and smoking cigarettes. Medication and illness can cause internal dehydration and ultimately affect the surface of the skin. Inadequate moisturizers that are too light texture and runny. This does not provide enough protection against moisture evaporation from the skin's surface. Scrubs used too often will break down the cohesion of the top layer of the skin which is responsible for holding moisture. Astringents that have strong alcohol content can act as a drying agent. Dry climate cause moisture to evaporate quickly. Hot showers which removes sebum on the skin's surface, it also causes tendency for capillary damage and dehydration. Excessive intake of table salt (sodium chloride) can have a dehydrating effect. Coffee also contribute to dehydration.