The well-known phrase can be understood in various ways. Anyone who has a skin problem knows that the presence of such an issue significantly impacts their quality of life. Some may consider daily makeup application and periodic beauty injections as a solution. However, I would advise not to forget about other aspects of life; they also require your attention so that you look good not only under a layer of makeup but all the time.
Skin and Overall Health
Many skin problems are signs of underlying health issues. Before trying to tackle cosmetic problems, it’s better to first consult a specialist about your problem. An in-person examination by a specialist is essential; you may miss a lot if you show a skin issue through a computer screen, even to an experienced professional.
Here are just some of the possible problems that can affect your skin:
- Imbalance of sex hormones, thyroid hormones, adrenal hormones. Hormonal imbalance can be caused by various factors, including age-related changes in both adolescence and old age.
- Bacterial/fungal/viral infections.
- Demodex mites – a skin mite that can manifest as white acne-like bumps, rosacea, and even abscesses.
- Insulin and/or leptin resistance. Recent research has highlighted the connection between these problems and skin and hair conditions. The list is extensive and continuously expanding: psoriasis, hyperkeratosis, rosacea, are just a few possible issues.
- Consumption/absorption/deficiency of nutrients: iron, zinc, protein, vitamins B2, B3, B6, B12, C, A, D, folate, zinc.
- Stress, depression, increased anxiety – all of these also affect the condition of the skin.
- Immune system issues (low function or autoimmunity). If the immune system cannot control viral or other burdens, problems will inevitably “surface.”
- Digestive problems: food intolerances and allergies, intestinal dysbiosis, malabsorption. All of these can lead to both nutrient deficiency and the body’s autoimmune response.
- Environmental problems (UV radiation, mold, organic and inorganic toxins).
- Various cancerous and pre-cancerous growths.
In each individual case, it is necessary to identify the problem and provide individual treatment recommendations. This must take into account the specificities of your body and your lifestyle. Laboratory tests may be required for diagnosis. Treatment may require the involvement of specialists such as dermatologists, gastroenterologists, and endocrinologists. However, you do not need to try to reach these specialists on your own; you will be referred to them if necessary.
Skin and Detoxification
Our skin is one of the main detoxification organs. Along with the kidneys and liver, the skin constantly removes toxic substances from the body. If, for some reason, other organs cannot cope with their task, the skin takes on this function. This is why regular sauna visits (especially infrared saunas) often have a very positive impact on health – many toxins are eliminated directly through the skin, without overloading the liver and kidneys.
Another example: is the intestine is also an excretory organ. More precisely, if you look at the intestine from the inside, it is the same excretory organ as the skin. Moreover, the intestine removes not only what enters it from food but also what the liver removes with bile into the intestine. This is why when we evaluate the body’s ability to excrete toxins, we assess them not through hair but through urine (the ability to excrete toxins through the kidneys) and stool (the ability to excrete toxins through the liver).
So, if your detoxifying organs are unable to effectively remove the influx of toxins from your diet, the skin will take on this function. This is when people typically turn to a cosmetologist. However, it would be more correct to first consult a doctor.
Healthy Skin and Nutrition
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of proper nutrition. Relieving the burden on detoxifying organs can be achieved by reducing the intake of toxins with food.
A diet high in vegetables and fish rich in antioxidants, fibre, and omega-3 fatty acids forms the necessary foundation for a healthy complexion.
However, do not forget that the consumption of certain skin-cleansing foods may not produce the desired result if you simultaneously consume harmful foods.
The most effective way to reduce the consumption of harmful foods is to reduce or eliminate processed foods since they contain a large amount of refined sugar, processed fructose, trans fats, salt, and other ingredients.
Healthy Skin and Health Problems
Above, I have already listed a range of problems that can affect the appearance of your skin.
I want to add that insulin and leptin resistance can accelerate the aging process. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to your health and seek treatment for these issues if you want to maintain a youthful appearance and optimal health.
Among more recent issues, we can mention coronavirus infection. Some studies report that more than 20% of COVID cases presented with only one symptom – skin manifestations. You may experience the consequences of asymptomatic infection even months later. General support for the body and therapies aimed at improving the immune system’s function can help in this regard.
Healthy Skin and Lifestyle
Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are well-known enemies of good skin appearance.
Dietary habits that affect the condition of your skin can vary widely. Excessive consumption of bread and bakery products is the most well-studied cause that dermatologists often discuss with their patients. You don’t need to wait for months before visiting a dermatologist to hear the advice: stop eating buns, and your acne will improve, as happened to one of my acquaintances. You don’t necessarily have to have a diagnosis of celiac disease. Bread products are artificially enriched with various micronutrients, including folic acid, which I’ve mentioned before. You may think you’re eating bread, but if you consume it excessively, you might actually be overdosing on folic acid, which not everyone can effectively metabolize.
Remember that dairy products are artificially enriched with vitamin D, which is a fat-soluble element that can also be overdosed. There have been cases of excessive consumption of dairy products leading to such problems. This is another reason why vitamin D should be periodically tested, both to check for deficiency and excess. After all, the symptoms look the same in both cases.
Skin Care Products
High-quality skin care products are the foundation of healthy skin and a healthy body. Carcinogens, substances that mimic hormonal activity, parabens, sulphates, dyes, fragrances, preservatives – you can find all sorts of ingredients in modern skincare products!
High-quality skincare and cosmetic products should contain “clean” ingredients that not only benefit the appearance of your skin but also do not harm your body. Your favourite skincare products can be very effective, but effectiveness does not necessarily mean safety. What you apply to your skin enters your bloodstream and can cause various health problems. Therefore, don’t forget to check the safety of your skincare products and cosmetics.
HydraFacial Procedure
The HydraFacial procedure is typically performed by a certified cosmetologist and consists of three steps:
- Removal of dirt and skin oil from deep pores, along with exfoliation to rejuvenate the skin.
- Residue dirt is removed from the pores using a vacuum attachment.
- A moisturizing serum with antioxidants, substances that protect the skin from environmental damage, is applied using a special attachment.
The procedure can improve the condition of the skin in various skin conditions such as rosacea, acne, dryness, and wrinkles. Like periodic dental plaque removal, this procedure should be done regularly to achieve a positive effect. Just like dental plaque removal, the procedure is not considered mandatory, but it may be deemed necessary for medical reasons by a doctor in the case of cystic acne, and in that case, you may be able to include its cost in your tax return. Discuss this possibility with your accountant.
Non-surgical methods of rejuvenation
When people talk about beauty treatments, they often think of botox injections. However, this is just one part of the existing non-surgical methods. I do not consider botox injections as a procedure that is beneficial for your body. It’s your choice, but we are now discussing procedures that can not only improve your appearance but also provide benefits for your body:
- Vitamin injections not only improve the condition of your skin but also provide your body with the necessary vitamins.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections help improve hair growth, skin condition and have a positive impact on the overall metabolism of the body.
- Cosmetic acupuncture can increase collagen production while positively affecting the overall condition of the body.
- Local cryotherapy procedures can help improve blood circulation in the skin, stimulate the immune system, help with acne, promote hair growth, and accelerate recovery after injury.
Soft surgical methods for the skin
There are several techniques that use tissue freezing, surgical removal, or electrocautery to remove minor issues such as:
- Warts.
- Hyperkeratosis (including scars).
- Benign birthmarks.
- Skin hyperpigmentation.
Often, such issues do not require removal, but you may want to get rid of them for cosmetic reasons. However, there are also problems that carry the risk of turning into cancer.
Cryosurgery almost never requires anesthesia and avoids the risk of infection in an open wound but can lead to unwanted hypopigmentation with prolonged exposure. Additionally, cryosurgery cannot be performed if there is even minimal risk of malignancy since it does not allow for biopsy. Cryosurgery is also used for the removal of cancerous growths, but such procedures are carried out using specialized equipment with laser-controlled tissue cooling levels and multiple cycles of freezing and thawing. They are performed only in specialized clinics and only if there are contraindications for other methods of removing cancerous growths.
Other techniques require mandatory anesthesia and may lead to bleeding and infection in an open wound. They may also require sutures after the procedure.
Never remove skin growths without a prior consultation with a doctor! You can worsen the problem by getting rid of the cosmetic effect of the growth instead of diagnosing it earlier before the metastasis process begins. You should make a decision about the removal method with an analysis of all the risks only after consulting with a doctor.
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