Sorry To Bust Your Bubble Darling, But That Double Scoop Of La Dolce Vita Gelato Is Aggravating Your ‪‎Acne

“Diet has a direct and strong link to acne despite what some physicians may tell you otherwise” is the shibboleth that I have been preaching since I got back to work after my summer break. Thanks to naughty food indulgences during the summer vacation, presently I am seeing gobs of acne patients in and out of my clinic. And along with writing acne-clearing prescriptions I have been urging teen and adult acne sufferers to watch what they eat. Taking my one-on-one diet counsels one step further plus to publically implicate food as a culprit in crimes against our complexion, I’d like to share with you some research that debunks the pseudo myth “Diet has no role in acne flares”.

The scientific community had been sitting on the fence in the past when it came to accepting the negative effects of junk food on acne-prone skin because of a few studies published back in the 60s, that cleared chocolate, peanuts, milk and cola for the acne prone population. Unfortunately those studies were poorly conducted with no proper controls and according to the newer standardizations of research they are no longer acceptable as valid references. From our personal experiences we all know that chocolate bars, soda and ice cream are not only unhealthy—but they act as weapons of mass destruction targeting our complexions. Now credible data is available that supports the fact that our diet has profound effect on our skin.  

Game Changing Inquest

Food theories of the 60s were first challenged in 2002 when a paper published in the Archives of Dermatology, showed that among indigenous cultures in Paraguay and Papua New Guinea; who ate their ancestral diets and consumed almost no processed foods or dairy products, acne was virtually unheard of. Further research also highlighted that when people from similar cultures adopted a Western diet, they developed acne. These studies sparked a new interest into investigating the diet and acne link and paved up the path for newer research digging deep into the effects of food on our skin.

High Glycemic Food Consumption = Acne Flare

In July of 2007, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed a measurable link between high-glycemic diets and acne. The study followed two groups of acne-plagued males ages 15 to 25, who were told they were participating in a study on carbohydrates and protein. The first group continued to eat their usual diet, which included plenty of sugar and processed grains (foods that have a high glycemic index). The other group was given whole grains, lean meat and fish, fruits and vegetables (foods with a low glycemic index). After 12 weeks, a team of dermatologists determined that the subjects in the latter group had 51 percent fewer pimples than when they started.

Foods with a high glycemic index cause blood sugar to rise, forcing the body to bring it down with a surge of insulin. And insulin can lead to acne, both by accelerating cell growth in the pores and stimulating oil-producing hormones called androgens.

Skin + Dairy = Acne

Dairy products have also been put under new scrutiny to investigate their role in acne flares. In 2005 researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health published a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology that showed an association between consumption of dairy products and acne. Using data from more than 47,000 women followed in the Harvard-administered Nurses’ Health Study II, researchers found that those who consumed more than three servings of milk per day were 22 percent more likely to have suffered from acne as teens. With skimmed milk, the numbers were even more pronounced. Those who drank two or more glasses per day were 44 percent more likely to have experienced acne bad enough to warrant a trip to the doctor.

Most dairy products aggravate acne because they contain an “insulin-like” growth factor; which exerts a pore clogging action by aggravating the cells lining the skin pores. Dairy consumption also produces a surge in insulin production by the pancreas, which in turn results in upsurge of cellular activity in skin leading to acne flare.

Diet has profound effects on acne, but there has been surprisingly little research done to establish the aggravating connection between diet and acne mainly because nutritional studies are notoriously difficult to run and very difficult to fund, as most pharmaceutical funding giants won’t stand behind them.

Bad Food Choices = Acne Pandemic

Researchers now hypothesize that our increasing consumption of sugar, processed grains and dairy products may be behind a worldwide rise in acne incidence in both teens and adults.

Seize The Moment: Low-Glycemic Diet = Clearer Younger Looking Skin

Fall depicts new beginnings, renewed spunk and a fresh start, come September life has resumed its daily rhythm—back to school and back to work routines have kicked in full swing. But before you jump back into your daily humdrum and habitual diets, take a moment and make a conscious decision to purge your life and daily eating habits of the complexion endangering elements. Avoid high-glycemic foods—indulge in whole grains, lean meat, fish, fruits and vegetables—this way you’d be signing up for a longer healthier life with younger & clearer looking skin.

Stand Up For Yourself - Literally

Back in June I read an article by Dr Mike Loosemore; a leading sport medicine consultant from University College of London, where he claimed that being on your feet for three hours, five days a week, is as effective as running ten marathons a year and can extend life by two years. No heavy duty exercise just plain and simple standing up on your feet - Now this is an amazing piece of information I thought. To get to the bottom of the truth and validate this shortcut to longer-healthier-life further scientific proof research was . My fascination for this easy-go-lucky way to enhance lifespan and health recently led me to another study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which clearly suggests that the easiest and best anti-ageing technique could be “standing up”.

Scientists Have Found Proof That Spending More Time On Two Feet Protects DNA

According to this study, too much sitting down shortens telomeres, the protective caps sitting at the end of chromosomes. Short telomeres have been linked to premature ageing, disease and early death. So spending less time on the sofa could potentially help people live longer by preventing their DNA from ageing.

The research from this new study concludes that people who were frequently on their feet had longer telomeres, which were keeping the genetic code safe from wear and tear. Telomeres stop chromosomes from fraying, clumping together and "scrambling" genetic code. Scientists liken their function to the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces, and say that lifespan is linked to their length.

The Nitty Gritty

The idea behind this study was to test and prove the idea behind a study, published in the British Medical Journal previously, which revealed that although people who did more exercise tended to be healthier, the most important factor was how much time they spent sitting down.

Researchers looked at 49 overweight sedentary adults in their late sixties and measured the length of the telomeres in their blood cells.

Half of them had been part of an exercise program that lasted six months, while the other half had not. Physical activity levels were assessed using a diary and pedometer to measure the amount of footsteps taken each day.

The amount of time spent sitting down was worked out through a questionnaire.

Scientists found that the less time a person spent sitting, the longer their telomeres, and the greater their chance of living longer.

Intriguingly research also shows that taking part in more exercise did not seem to have an impact on telomere length.

Scientific Consensus

There is growing concern among medical community that not only low physical activity but probably also sitting and sedentary behavior is an important and new health hazard of our time. The scientific evidence and research has led to the hypothesis that a reduction in sitting hours is of greater importance than an increase in exercise time for elderly risk individuals.

Take Home Message

Guess how many hours a day you spend sitting? - Fewer than eight, more than 10? A recent survey found that many of us spend up to 12 hours a day sitting on our bottoms looking at computers or watching television. If you throw in the seven hours we spend sleeping then that adds up to a remarkable 19 hours a day being sedentary. Apart from this study if you dig deeper into the standing up for a longer life concept, you’d find there is now enormous evidence that supports the logic that simply standing makes huge differences to your health.

Stand Up

It’s time you stood up for yourself - Be proactive make small adjustments - like standing while talking on the phone, going over to talk to a colleague rather than sending an email, or simply taking the stairs.

Fall Beauty Resolution — Cut A Dash With Your Perfect Skin

We live in a world full of beauty. For some girls it stares you directly in the face and other times it is not so easy to find. To each and everyone one of us beauty means something else, but experts agree flawless skin counts for at least fifty percent of our aesthetic image and the other fifty percent lies in the proportion of facial features & body contours. Now if you can control how your skin looks then you are practically in charge of 50% of your beauty. Let’s get to work and carve beauty out of your skin.

Know Thy Skin Type: All skin is not created equal, flawlessly beautiful skin can be a gift form God or it can be achieved with the help of practicing the science of good skincare. It’s vital to know what is your skin type before you can begin to take care of it.

Oily Skin: The hallmark of oily skin is open pores with greasy feel especially around the T-Zone. With hormonal imbalance acne, black heads and white heads result leaving behind pigmentation, scars and permanent skin damage. The trick to managing oily skin is using products especially formulated for oily skin as products made for other skin types can lead to clogging of pore and sebaceous gland irritation leading to acne along with uneven and blotchy skin. As a general rule buy gels, serums and oil-free products. Combination skin calls for a mix of products applied to each area — or you can opt to layer lighter-weight products over the drier areas. For breakouts and clogged pores, you can’t get results from a well-formulated, leave-on BHA (salicylic acid) exfoliant or a retinoic acid based product.

Dry Skin: Prone to ashy dry complexion and flaking dry skin always feels tight and uncomfortable without proper moisturization. Here wrinkles are the major problem to tackle instead of open pores. The trick to managing dry skin is double time moisturization and use of products that don’t dehydrate or strip the skin.

Sensitive Skin: Susceptible to irritation, redness and discomfort people with sensitive skin have to be very careful with what products they chose to take care of their skin. Mostly people with sensitive skin have other types of allergies too e.g. food, metal, different chemicals etc. The trick to managing sensitive skin is avoiding products loaded with harsh chemicals and active repair of the skin barrier function by using specialized moisturizers.

Pigmented Skin: Genetics have thrown you a curve ball if you easily develop patches of hyperpigmentation on your skin. Sun, hormones and friction are some of the common trigger factors that push pigmented skin into over drive resulting in melasma and discoloration issues. The trick to managing pigmented skin is active use of sunscreen and keeping the complexion balanced by natural plant based skin-lightening agents like vitamin C, arbutin, etc.

Normal Skin: You are lucky, beauty Gods were smiling as you were being conceived. Your skin is balanced and requires bare minimum care but that does not mean you neglect it. If you want to keep you skin beautiful and young you need to take care for the future. Product selection wise with normal skin there's a little more leeway, and you can choose the product textures you like most. The trick to managing normal skin is using plenty of antioxidants and diligent use of sunscreen to prevent future skin aging.

Use Skincare Judiciously & Like Clockwork: If your skin is not looking good there is a reason behind it, and the most obvious one is: you are not using your skincare products according to your skin type. For example, if you have combination skin and you’re using a product containing irritating ingredients such as alcohol, you may actually be exacerbating the oily areas. Because irritation stimulates nerve endings in skin, a subsequent hormonal surge leads to more oil and, potentially, breakouts. On the other hand, if you have dry skin and load up on moisturizers but don’t periodically use a good leave-on exfoliant, a buildup of dead, dry skin cells may result. And that really rich moisturizer you're using will seem to stop working. Basically, what you need is a routine that fits your skin type and manages your concerns. Read up, educate your self about your skin, see a dermatologist and understand your skin — sticking to a judicious skincare plan is vital to maintaining beautiful skin.

UV Protection: Daily sunscreen use is the single most important thing you can do to get and maintain near-perfect and certainly younger-looking skin.

To be able to find the confidence in your beauty is something that is within you. Important message here is you need to believe, put your best foot forward and never doubt. 

Probiotic The New Heroes In Skincare

Probiotics are the naturally occurring “good” bacteria that live in our gut and play a significant role in our total wellness.

Intestinal tract of a healthy person hosts over 100 trillion friendly bacteria (that’s 10 times more than the number of cells in our body), which spend their days aiding digestion, boosting the immune system, and consuming bad bacteria. They manufacture key nutrients and limit the growth of yeast and unhealthy bacteria — and, in their spare time, probiotics help inhibit bouts of lactose intolerance, poor digestion, and diarrhea.

Oral Probiotics

Sold as daily supplements containing Lactobacilli and/or Bifidobacterium or in yogurts containing live cultures, probiotics have shown to influence skin conditions such as acne, rosacea and eczema by affecting what is known as the “gut-brain-skin axis.” According to this theory, stress alone or in combination with processed comfort foods that lack fiber can slow digestion. This in turn changes the type and number of bacteria that live in the gut to unhealthy bacteria. Eventually the gut lining becomes leaky and toxins are released into the bloodstream causing inflammation throughout the body. People who are predisposed to acne or rosacea can experience flares as a result of this shift in gut bacteria and subsequent inflammation.

To counteract flares of acne or rosacea associated with the “gut-brain-skin axis,” doctors advise patients to find ways to help manage or cope with stress, fix their diet or introduce healthy bacteria to the gut in the form of probiotics. The probiotics line the gut and create a healthy, sealed barrier that prevents inflammation that can trigger acne or rosacea.

Scientific Evidence

A few studies have shown a correlation between oral probiotic use and improvement in acne and eczema.

Acne:

• ·      A recent Korean study of 56 acne patients found that drinking a Lactobacillus-fermented dairy beverage effectively reduced their total acne lesion count and decreased oil production over 12 weeks.
• ·      In an Italian study, half of patients were administered an oral probiotic supplement in addition to their standard acne and rosacea treatment. The other half of patients did not receive the probiotic supplement. The probiotic group experienced better clearing of acne and rosacea symptoms.

Eczema:

• ·      Finnish researchers looked at pregnant women who took probiotic supplements (containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) for two to four weeks before giving birth, and also after delivery if they were breast-feeding, or added the bacteria to infant formula for at least six months. They found the probiotics reduced the odds of eczema in babies who had strong family histories of the itchy skin condition until at least age 2, and possibly longer.
• ·      Another recent study showed that infants who developed eczema before they turned 1 had a less diverse collection of gut bacteria when they were 7 days old than infants without eczema, suggesting a link between gut bacteria early in life and the development of the skin condition.

Let’s Bottle Up The Good Stuff As Skincare

Currently, some cosmeceutical manufacturers have started using probiotics in their products based on this early research – including probiotic masks, creams or cleansers. Different ways that topical probiotics can benefit the skin Include:

• ·      Protective Shield
• In patients with acne and rosacea, living microorganisms on the skin are recognized as foreign by the body’s immune system. The immune system springs into action to counter this potential threat resulting in the inflammation, redness, or bumps common in these skin conditions. Probiotics applied topically sit on the skin’s surface and prevent the skin cells from seeing the bad bacteria and parasites that can cause this immune system response. This is known as “bacterial interference,” as probiotics protect the skin and interfere with the ability of bad bugs (or bacteria and parasites) to provoke an immune reaction.

• ·      Antimicrobial Properties
• Sometimes the substances produced by probiotics have antimicrobial properties, meaning they can create holes in bad bacteria and kill them. Similar to the way antibiotics work in the treatment of acne and rosacea, probiotics can help fight harmful bugs from triggering inflammation.
• Researchers now are testing probiotics to determine which ones make the substances that can kill bad bacteria. Soon strains could be identified in the very near future and will then be marketed in products for their antimicrobial properties.
• ·      Calming Effect
• When certain types of probiotics are placed in contact with skin cells, they calm the parts of the cells that may want to react to the presence of bad bacteria that they see as a threat. These healthy signals produced by the probiotics stop the skin cells from sending “attack” messages to the immune system that result in flares of acne or rosacea.
• ·      Antiaging
• The use of probiotics to protect skin from the effects of aging is an exciting new area that shows early promise, but needs more research. Preliminary work has shown there's some evidence that probiotics may help to build collagen, the main protein in skin that affects its texture and tone. Increased numbers of good bacteria may also help to hydrate aging skin, reduce sun damage and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

Market Report

The incorporation of probiotics into cosmetics and skin care products provides a distinct yet perpetual marketing appeal enhancing brand differentiation. It’s no wonder than that major cosmaceutical brands are incorporating probiotics in their skincare lines.

Clinique Medical in collaboration with Allergan (the makers of BOTOX) has launched a probiotic-infused skin care. Their probiotic skin care regimen includes a pre- and post-operational kit with cleansers and creams, and redness solution makeup SPF15. The product line doesn’t contain live bacteria but instead promotes the growth of skin’s own helpful bacteria to prevent infection following chemical peels and laser treatments.

Many other major brands Like Garnier, Dr. Ohhira, Aurelia, Align, Culturelle, L’Occitaine, Murad, Sonya Dakar, Lierac, Bliss, Mama Mio, Beauty Cycle and Éminence have also launched their products with probiotic claims.

The early reviews on the effectiveness of these products are quiet positive, with time and more research we would get a more detailed and clearer picture.

Beach Bunny Perfect Body — First Stop Dermatologist’s office

Verano, ice cream parlors, and beach — Yup it’s that time of the year again when outdoors pilgrimage savoring the sizzling sun clad in the skimpiest of attires and sunscreen becomes in vogue and mandatory. Anyone who thinks that just showing up on the beach looking like an Amazonian goddess comes easy does not understand the complexities of female anatomy, while those of us who keep a keen eye on the makings of iconic beach editorials know that it takes an aesthetic village and then some to transform a lassie next door into a swimsuit celestial diva. Hairy limbs, uneven complexion, cellulite, and anatomically cruel fat deposits are some of the basic hurdles that an average Jane needs to overcome before freedom and beauty can be whole heartedly celebrated.

Strict diet, and rigorous exercise can get you half way there, but to get that final self-check on the proverbial beach bunny trophy gal bod, you’ll need a ‘lil extra help from your fairy godmother or her real life replacement — your dermatologist of course.

Short Cut to A Saucy Summer Bod

Aesthetic medicine has a host of new procedures tried, tested and readily available that can whip any ordinary body into the envy of the beach bunnies in a short time in a way no number of sessions with any personal trainer or dietician ever could. Let me give you an express insider sneak peak at what technologies are on hand to make you perfectly comfortable in your skin sans clothing.

Laser Hair Removal: Furry calves are a strict no-no for skirting above the knee — summer, spring or for that matter any other season ladies. Popular fuzz taming choices, shaving and waxing are too much hassle too little reward (Yawn). Braun SkinSpa is a valid easy on the go self-grooming option, but a beach smart gal knows that a laser-ed off body gives you the epitome of freedom 24/7 all year round. And come on — the prospect of never, ever shaving your armpits again? Tell me you're not smiling.

Cellulite Technologies: In our high tech fight against the scourge of bikini season — body shapers, cellulite creams and wraps are so passé. If you are seeking real help to smooth out the unsightly lumps and bumps of cellulite — radiofrequency, laser, and ultrasound devices are your cutting edge skin savers that deliver smooth results consistently. These technologies can blast fat, tighten skin and improve circulation in a single sweep. Yes you can confidently say adieu cottage cheese and hello smooth taut limbs.

Lipo-Sculpturing: There are no ifs, ands or buts about it — nothing works like RF or Laser liposuction to iron out banana rolls, saddlebags, muffin tops and embarrassing fat bulges in a short span of time. Post lipo you might be red, blue and swollen for a couple of days, but the reward of a well-sculptured body comes guaranteed with these advanced lipo-sculpturing treatments. The procedure is very safe when performed under local tumescent anesthesia and you get to go home few hours later all corseted, trimmed and svelte with Barbie-doll limbs & synched waist.

Skin Rejuvenation: Thanks to the breakthrough innovations in antiaging technologies we have amazing tools at our disposal to give skin an instant travel-back-in-time youthful spin. Fraxel Dual and Scarlet RF skin treatments are my preferred choices for giving tired looking skin a quick jolt of youth. These technologies deliver quick results by transferring heat into the deep layers of skin to stimulate the production of new collagen in as little as one or two sittings. We can use them on face, neck, chest, arms and shoulders to even out skin tone and get that instant glow of youth from within.

And finally my beautiful beach bunnies don't forget — the main way to keep your skin healthy all year round isn't about what you do to it, it's about what you don't do: Don't smoke, don't skimp on sleep, don't dehydrate yourself out in the sun, and don't skip the sunscreen. Now get out there, be beautiful and make a splash.

Summer, Sun & Skincare Etiquette

Summer is in the air — you can travel yes, but you can’t escape the heat, humidity and the blazing sun, unless you plan on being a hermit and hiding indoors or traveling down under. If escape is unavoidable they say you might as well get on with the program and get your summer skincare habits in place. Lets go

Learn The Skincare Codex — Repair & Treat Sun Damage

A tan may be a popular summer look, but it indicates skin damage.

What causes skin damage? — UV light causes photoaging in the form of brown spots, coarse skin and wrinkles, whether you have burned your skin or not. When sunlight comes in contact with skin a cascade of damage results (including the stripping of barrier lipids) causing inflammation, production of reactive oxygen molecules that affect healthy cell growth, and stimulation of collagen destructing enzymes.

What to do? — Bombard your skin with age-fighting ingredients to help undo any damage that may occur, and to further protect it from the aging effects of UV. Be Sun Smart!

Be Sunscreen Sauvé — When In Doubt, Apply & Reapply!

Why? — It’s not enough to just apply sunscreen. you must apply enough, and apply frequently. Studies indicate that most people do not apply nearly as much daylight protection as they should.

How Much? — A teaspoon for the face. For the body, about as much as would fill a shot glass (1 fl. oz.).

How often? — Re-apply every two hours.

Skin Saving Tip: Stay out of the midday sun from mid-morning to late afternoon whenever you can.

Master The Hydration Etiquette — Make Friends With H20

Why? — Higher temperatures and more time outdoors leads to internal dehydration, which can result in headaches and dizzy spells!

What you can do? — Drink 8-10 glasses of plain, filtered water every day. This'd help maintain critical moisture balance of the body and skin, and assist in detoxification.

Tip: If you drink caffeinated beverages, you must triple the amount of water you drink! Bottoms Up!

Science Behind The Beauty Mud Masks

Man was made from clay and every time the desire to feel youthful and rejuvenated stirs the human mind the logic of slathering our skin with layers of healing and soothing mineral infused mud makes a perfect case. The use of medicinal clay in folk medicine goes back to prehistoric times. Indigenous peoples around the world still use clay widely, which is related to geophagy or the story of human origins from the clay — who knows? The first recorded use of medicinal clay goes back to ancient Mesopotamia, and in the recent years our drugstore counters lined with skin beautifying mud treatments reiterate the fact that the myth of — beauty from the marl of the earth still holds strong.

Popular at spas and dermatologist offices, skin masks promise rejuvenation and younger, healthier looking skin. Their over-the-counter versions can offer an easier, more affordable solution at home, read up and reap rewards.

Exfoliating Dead Skin Cells — The first noticeable benefit, following facial care with a mud mask is that the skin radiates with vitality, a healthy tone and is silky soft to the touch. The natural silica found in the mud from dead seas hardens on the skin once applied on the skin. This allows the mask to extract toxins and impurities located deep in the skin layers, and also to slough off the redundant layer of dead skin cells on the surface. After washing it all off the result is visibly clear looking skin, with clean pores and even skin tone.

Taming Acne Prone Skin — Thanks to the sulfur infused therapeutic effects of mud mask, this mask can be a real life saver if you suffer from acne, black heads and breakouts. Mud masks contains natural minerals like magnesium, calcium, sulphur, bromide, iodine, sodium, zinc and potassium, which are known to treat, detoxify, and cleanse the skin. Before you buy a clay mask to tame acne prone skin, it’s important to know how to read labels and understand how the ingredients contained in each may help get rid of acne. For example, a mask containing Fuller’s clay on the label of a clay mask kit, is a highly-absorbent clay that is believed to help purify the skin and draw away oils, toxins and dirt that clog pores and cause acne. French green clay is also highly absorbent and has been said to strip away excess sebum.

Stimulate Circulation — When blood and lymphatic circulation to the skin is poor it leads to an uneven skin tone, toxin retention, and wear and tear in the skin leading to tired looking skin and wrinkles. By applying a weekly facial mud pack you can dramatically help the blood flow to your skin cells and achieve a healthier and plumper looking skin. If you are aiming for skin rejuvenation look for red clay, which contains iron oxide, an ingredient that boosts cell production to help skin rejuvenate faster.

Mud From The Dead Sea — The first chemical analysis of Dead Sea water was done in 1772, revealing its high magnesium and calcium content. While mineral-rich Dead Sea mud often appears in skin care products and cosmetics, people seeking relief from their inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis can benefit from using masks or baths diluted with Dead Sea salts and mud. Dead Sea minerals, particularly magnesium boosts moisture levels and helps smooth dry skin conditions.

Don’t Neglect To Hydrate Skin Properly After Using Such Masks

Mud masks are definitely worthwhile for pampering and detoxifying the skin, though it is important to note here that mud and clay masks help to draw out the natural oil from the skin, we need to pay special attention to nourishing and rehydrating the skin immediately afterwards to avoid skin dehydration or irritation.

Tight pores, glowing exfoliated and deeply hydrated happy skin, and you can do it anytime you want, no appointment or big cash outlay necessary. Enjoy!