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November 2024
by Brenda Richards
November is a great month to consider the health of our skin. Especially if we weren’t quite as diligent about it through the hot summer months.
I would like to briefly discuss 2 areas of concern that we may not always think about when we consider the health of our skin. Gut Health and Topical Skin Products.
Skin is one of the largest and most important organs of our body. Your skin is often a mirror reflecting your internal health. When things are off balance internally, it shows up on your skin. That is why paying attention to what your body is telling you and working with a naturopath, or integrative practitioner, can help you address these internal concerns. Combined with a tailored skincare program from your skin care therapist, it can help you achieve healthier and more beautiful skin.
The aging process can start aggravating our skin as early as our 20” s. All of this happens at the molecular level. Healthy skin is not just about being beautiful, but also stems from overall health. I.e.: Diet, Gut health, hormones, and much more.
Let’s talk about one of these. The Gut.
How the gut and skin are connected
There is a bidirectional relationship between gut health and skin health, known as the gut-skin axis. The gut microbiome can impact skin health, and skin diseases can also alter the gut microbiome. As well as other daily external factors that can disrupt the homogeneous environment for optimal health. For example, processed foods antibiotics, other medications, harmful rays from the sun, stress, infection, cancer, exogenous organisms, and many other factors.
Research seems to point to a solid relationship between the gut-brain-skin axis and the gut microbiome, a balance vital to maintaining health and optimal immunity. In the end we are discovering the importance of having a balanced gut microbiome. And any imbalance leading to an increased risk of inflammatory response that can exacerbate acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, and even the worsening of vitiligo. In addition, a chronic unhealthy mix of microorganisms can lead to leaky gut syndrome, weakening the intestinal wall, which is already linked to asthma and eczema. More research points to how compositional gut microbiota changes have been linked with exacerbation inflammatory skin diseases.
Daily prebiotics and probiotics help keep a homogenous microorganism environment for optimal skin health, working internally.
Let’s talk about topically how we can continue the homogeneous environment for skin.
These are just two of my favorites, and very active products.
Retinol/Retinoid/Tretinoin are possibly one of the major players in overall skin health. They vary in strength and delivery to the skin, and some may require a prescription. It has many uses. Acne, anti-aging effects. acne scars, stretch marks, dark spots, sun damage, large pores, Kaposi sarcoma, melasma, psoriasis, wrinkles, and other skin conditions. At Midstate we offer a variety of medical grades for every skin type
Sun Block. We all understand the value of Sun Block to protect us from the harmful effects of UV damage. However, new studies are revealing that the gases in pollution can be as damaging to our skin as these harmful rays. Some sun block products now contain a blend of antioxidants and skin replenishing ingredients which help to reduce and counteract the visible effects of pollution. Some of these products even contain antiaging properties and a DNA repair system, so by way of wearing it every day we are both protecting and repairing.
Check with your dermatologist to better understand Sun Protective Factors, how often to re-apply and key ingredients and benefits to look for.
Throughout your life your skin will change constantly. For better or for worse your skin will regenerate itself approximately every 27 days. Proper skin care is essential to maintaining the health and vitality of this protective organ.
