live affects your whole body, including its largest organ: the 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. Following are a few everyday acne triggers you might
not be aware of, and a few things you can do to avoid them.
Comedones on the job. Since some part of your skin is always in
contact with your environment, it's important to pay attention to the
substances with which you come into contact on a regular basis. You
may be exposing yourself to comedogenic (pore-clogging) substances on
the job without even knowing it; while these substances are not the
cause of your acne, 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 comedogenic as well.
Acne & Sleep - Sleep and your skin. The simplest good deed you can do
for your skin may surprise you: sleep! Scientists and mothers around
the world 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 so
your lesions clear up more quickly. Luckily, your body isn't picky;
uninterrupted sleep in the daytime is just as beneficial. So if you
work late, sleep late - and try to maintain a regular schedule.
Acne & Sun - Savvy sun worshipping. 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 sebaceous glands 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 comedones, or blocked pores. 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.
Acne & Stress - The stress connection. 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," says Katie
Rodan, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at Stanford University.
How can stress - emotional anxiety caused by any number of factors in
your life - show up on your face? The connection is purely chemical.
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, primarily inflamed papules rather than
blackheads or whiteheads.
What can you do? Of course, you can't eliminate stress from your life
- it's part of being human. But you can minimize its damage by leading
a healthy lifestyle. 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 also important to
take time out of every day to relax - read a book, take a bath,
practice yoga, or do whatever makes you feel happy and calm. It's an
important step towards overall good health, and therefore the health
of your skin.
