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External
Stressors– A goal of
acne prevention would be to keep your skin pores clear from
clogging and becoming infected and irritated, resulting in
blemishes and inflammation. So you need to take a look at
your external environment throughout the day for factors
that could trigger skin pore clogging. Here are some
examples of what to look for: grease, oils and sun, like
being around open fryers in kitchen areas, or around machine
oil and grease in workshops or factories, or out in the sun
all day on a construction jobsite. Too much oil, grease or
sun on the skin can clog pores and trigger acne and other
skin irritations. Minimize contact by wearing long sleeves
and other protective wear and gear and discussing further
options with your dermatologist or healthcare provider. With
regards to being out in the sun, note that a small amount of
sun each day can be fine and healthy. However, extended
periods can trigger the sebaceous glands to create more oil
as your skin dries out. At the same time, the dried out skin
needs to be cast off or shed at a faster rate than normal.
The resulting extra oils and dead skin make a wonderful
environment for pore clogging. So here, too, use protective
clothing for outdoor activities and apply sunscreen;
oil-free products are best for acne-prone people, and those
with a minimum protection of SPF 15 and both UVA and UVB
protection.
Internal
Stressors
– Internal stressors like anxiety, fear, low self-esteem,
depression and a variety of other internalized emotions, can
trigger chemical reactions inside your body that can result
in acne flare-ups and other skin irritations. What happens
is that these emotions can set your adrenal glands to work
creating more cortisol, the substance that in turn causes
your sebaceous glands to produce increased amounts of sebum
oil, excessive amounts of which can be blocked in pores.
Same old story: extra oil + extra dead skin cells = blocked
pores, triggering acne flare-ups. With internal stressors,
though, the results are usually “inflamed papules” or small,
solid inflammations (or skin elevations that do not contain
pus), instead of whiteheads or blackheads.
To combat internal stressors and prevent acne problems,
here are some suggestions. Get plenty of rest and sleep a
recommended average of eight hours per night. Try to
maintain regular hours each day, regardless of which
shift your work. Some say to focus on reducing SWAT:
reduce your stress, worry, anxiety
and tension, so journal a little each day
mentioning any “SWAT” stressors you’ve felt. And focus on
those that may seem overwhelming or to be taking too long
to “end,” seeking help from others or other resources as
needed for stress management. Check with your dietician
or healthcare provider to establish and follow a regular
well-balanced dietary and exercise plan of action to keep
your body healthy on the inside and outside. Keep a check
list of “Things that Calm You” handy for stressful times,
like reading a book, resting, listening to music, taking
a walk, going out for an ice cream cone,
etc.
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