Skin Health and Systemic Disease
Find out how to repair crepey skin and in turn, have healthier skin and body.
Crepey body skin may have you wearing long sleeves or pants in the summer. Not only is crepey body skin unsightly, it is a visual indicator of unhealthy skin. In recent studies, scientists have found that the state of your skin can affect your overall health. It’s the chicken-or-egg scenario; they aren’t 100% sure yet if poor skin health causes overall body inflammation, which causes many health conditions and premature aging…or if poor skin health is caused by systemic inflammation. The studies are starting to point toward unhealthy skin being the CAUSE or at least a large puzzle piece toward the cause of disease. Afterall, your skin is your largest organ.
Studies also show that pairing the right lotion (rich in vitamins and minerals and using it at least twice per day), drastically improves the look of crepey skin and improves the quality and health of thin aging skin. Also, exfoliation brings blood flow to your skin cells along with a healing response that kick starts more collagen production and repairs elastin that has been broken down from UV damage, smoking and environmental toxins. I suggest a pouf in the shower, dry brushing or a body scrub.
I use J Renee Organics Supple Body Lotion and exfoliate with a shower pouf to preserve my youthful skin all year, so that when summer comes around, I can be confident in showing off my arms and legs. Supple Lotion has even helped my parent’s skin heal after surgery. Surgery and other stresses on the body can make skin dry and fragile and make your whole body dehydrated because it cannot hold-in moisture like it should. Proper moisturized skin is essential for overall body health.
In recent studies, scientists have found that the state of your skin can affect your overall health. It’s the chicken-or-egg scenario; they aren’t 100% sure yet if poor skin health causes overall body inflammation, which causes many health conditions and premature aging…or if poor skin health is caused by systemic inflammation. The studies are starting to point toward unhealthy skin being the CAUSE or at least a large puzzle piece toward the cause of disease.
Conditions (so far) that are proven to be caused by poor skin quality include: Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. “Until recently, the scientific community didn’t believe that skin could contribute to systemic inflammation and disease. But in the last five years, studies of psoriasis and dermatitis have shown that skin inflammation from these diseases likely increases the risk of heart disease," said study lead author Theodora Mauro, MD, a professor of dermatology at UCSF and the San Francisco VA Health Care System.
In the study, published March 5, 2019 in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Mauro, Man and colleagues attempted to reverse age-related skin damage using an over-the-counter skin cream formulated based on prior research by Man and colleagues, and which the researchers had previously shown to contribute to skin repair based on its beneficial ratio of three types of lipids (cholesterol, free fatty acids, and ceramides) that are vital for skin health.
Thirty-three older adults between the ages of 58 and 95 applied the cream all over their bodies twice a day for 30 days. After a month, the researchers measured blood levels of three cytokines—interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha—that have all been implicated in age-related inflammatory diseases. Using the cream reduced the amount of all three cytokines compared to both the participants’ levels before using the cream and the levels of similarly aged adults who did not use the cream. In fact, using the cream lowered participants’ cytokine levels to be nearly equivalent with people in their 30s, suggesting that rejuvenating the skin can reverse “inflamm-aging.” The cream also improved skin hydration, lowered pH, and repaired the permeability barrier.
Shelly Todd, esthetician
Pamper your skin with this deeply moisturizing and fortifying lotion. Supple Cream has a delightful feel, is unscented and absorbs right into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling. Its packed with organic antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to sooth dry skin and to stimulate collagen. That collagen production essentially rebuilds the matrix to shield you better from bumps and scratches. When skin is moisturized properly its stronger, when it’s too dry, it gets brittle and vulnerable to scratches turning into deeper sores and has a hard time healing itself.
8 oz glass bottle with pump.
Sunny Day Skin Dismay
We are all enjoying our beautiful sunny summer day when BAM, our skin starts to do some funky stuff. In this article, I’ll address some common skin issues in the summer and how to prevent or help soothe them.
We are all enjoying our beautiful sunny summer day when BAM, our skin starts to do some funky stuff. In this article, I’ll address some common skin issues in the summer and how to prevent or help soothe them.
Acne: When sweat mixes with bacteria and natural skin oils, it can clog your pores. If you have acne-prone skin, this often leads to acne. I recommend the following to help prevent a breakout:
Blot sweat from your skin with a clean towel or cloth. Wiping sweat off can irritate your skin, which can lead to a breakout, make sure you're using a clean cloth or at the very least, the BACK of your hand (not your dirty fingers) to wipe sweat away.
Wash sweaty clothes, headbands, towels, pillow cases and hats before using them again.
Use non-comedogenic (Won't clog pores) products on your face, neck, back, and chest. Stay away from coconut, olive and other oils!
Keeping the dry skin from building up is also key, use a home exfoliating mask or schedule a facial to remove excess dead skin.
Dry Skin: When outdoor air is hot and humid: sun exposure, pool time, and air-conditioning can cause dry skin. Prevent and help the effects of dry skin with these tips:
Shower immediately after getting out of the pool using a mild cleanser or body wash. Bar soap tends to make dry skin worse.
Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF! SPF 30+ is best and don't forget to reapply. This can go on after your normal moisturizing lotion.
Take showers and baths in warm water, rather than hot water.
Slather on a fragrance-free moisturizer after bathing. Moisturizer works by trapping water in your skin, so you’ll need to apply it within 5 minutes of drying off.
Carry moisturizer with you, so you can apply it after washing your hands and when your skin feels dry. I keep lotion in my purse, in my car, at my desk, in the bathroom, by my bed…everywhere!
Melasma: Being out in the sun can make melasma darker and more noticeable.
Wear SPF, sunglasses, a hat and try to stay in the shade.
Keeping the dry skin from building up is also key, use a home exfoliating mask or schedule a facial to remove excess dead skin.
Sun Sensitivity: You can develop a rash or even hives when you’re in the sun if you take certain medications. If you have an allergic reaction to the sun, you’ll see red, scaly, and extremely itchy bumps. Some people also get blisters.
Google your medications (or ask your pharmacist) to find out if it can cause sun sensitivity.
Meds to look out for include: ketoprofen (some pain meds) and antibiotics: tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline.
If your medicine can cause a reaction, take this seriously! Stay out of the sun!
If you have to be outdoors, protect your skin and seek out shade, wear sun-protective clothes, and apply SPF of 50+.
And of course, Sunburn: Sunburns can eventually cause skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. Wear SPF 30+ (don't worry, you'll probably still get a tan), sun protective clothing, sun glasses and hats.
If you do get a burn, there are a few ways to soothe your lobster skin.
Take a cool shower with mild soap or no soap, or a 15-20 minute oatmeal bath with tepid water.
Pat dry sensitive skin after bathing, instead of wiping, then liberally apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer.
In addition to, (NOT instead of) lotion, apply aloe to help soothe skin inflammation; try to avoid fragrance or added coloring though.
Drink LOTS of water; sunburned skin lets out too much water through the impaired skin barrier (TEWL: trans-epidermal water loss).
Note: African American skin already has naturally increased TEWL, so make sure you wear your SPF and moisturizer! All darker skin tones also have a higher rate of hyperpigmentation (age spots and scarring), so it's good practice to protect your skin from UV damage. WEAR YOUR SPF!
Skin PH & the Importance of Toner and Lotion
All kinds of things can affect the pH of your skin, like diet, hygiene habits and skin care products.
Without proper skin PH, which was previously thought to be 5.5, your barrier function doesn't work like it should. New research states that healthy skin is even more acidic at a PH of 4-4.5 (7 is neutral). Without the proper skin PH, your healthy skin bacteria (or microbiome) is less effective, causing things like acne, dry skin, sensitive skin and irritation.
This is why using a toner and moisturizer after cleansing is so important! PH is restored with the right toner for your skin type and protected throughout the day by the proper moisturizer.
To help your skin PH stay in a healthy range, make sure your products are right for your skin type. Also, always use a toner and moisturizer after washing and/or rinsing with water. Water is too alkaline, which leaves your skin dry, unprotected & can causes severe irritation and redness over time.
To find out exactly what products you should be using, set up a skin assessment.
Click the link below to find out your skin type and get free product samples.