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