Change and your skin

The ‘C’ word… Change

I thought it appropriate, as our new newsletter is being formatted, to discuss Change. There has been a lot in our office this year which, by the way is not unusual as we are always striving to improve ourselves and our services to you.

Change isn’t just about the workplace or your job, it might be a family situation, the kids leaving home or starting school, moving house, a death or birth in the family – the list is inexhaustible! How we deal with it, however, will often be reflected in the health of our skin. Change induces a level of stress which alters particular hormone levels throughout our body which in turn effects our skin.

When we are in a constant state of low grade stress our blood flow decreases to areas such as the skin – as it is not in the “fight or flight” list  – our pain tolerance goes up and our cell’s barrier function goes down. This means that our skin becomes dehydrated; functionally it slows down and it feels sensitive and dry.  It is a similar process to what we feel in our skin when the cold weather begins, especially here in Hobart where the humidity is so low.

The process begins immediately, but depending on your age, the quality of your skin, your skin type and the length of time you are taking to adjust to the changes in your life the time before you see and feel changes in the mirror will be different.

I often see women over 35 who have gone through a marriage breakup and it is 6 months later that they come to me saying “my skin is so dry and sensitive, it never used to be – my life is settled now so why is it happening now?”.

What to do about it?

Try to be aware of what changes have happened in your life, try to take control or simply start taking measures to assist in letting any anxious feelings go.

Change can be climate/season changes too.

Change might be exciting – our newsletter

It might also be daunting, or scary or something you’ve been waiting a long time for.

Lifestyle:  Plan ahead. Often we know when change is coming, but even if you are thrown a big one out of the blue you can still focus on the important things to help your general health as well as your skin.

• Diet: eat your greens, avoid sugar and refined foods. It’s times like this when adding some Super foods into your diet can make a significant difference even if you feel your diet is perfect. These include a pre and pro-biotic, alkalising greens and berry antioxidants. We recommend the Miessence group as they have no added sugars, do make a liquid gluten free pro-biotic, are certified organic and are jammed packed with everything a stressed mind and body needs.
• Drink water: lots of it and decrease your alcohol.
• Manage your low grade stress: deep breathing, meditation, tai Chi, a long slow bath, walking – everyone’s different so find your way to relax.
• Exercise daily: don’t over-do it as this can put your body further under stress.
• Humidify the air: Bowls of water around the house including the bedroom and avoid long hot showers. Don’t let hot air blow directly on our face, including in the car or sleep with the heater on.

Skin care:

• Carry with you a heavy water misting spray (Clear spray) and use it as often as you need to. A good one will penetrate your makeup, hydrating your skin during the day without upsetting how you look.
• You may need to change your cleanser to a gentler one, even if you are breaking out. Your cleanser during this time should be based on Lactic acid which helps to heal the top layers, decreasing water loss from your skin.
• Feed your skin. A product such as Aspect Dr Redless , with seabuckthorn and Vitamin C maybe more suitable than your usual serums if you are much drier. Another helpful product during stressful periods are adult Stem cell serums  (Stem factor)and recovery serums for sensitive skins. (CPR)
• Continuing with your Vitamin A serum is essential although you may like to decrease a %. Vitamin A is actually a skin hydrator as it normalises cellular function.
• Of course a moisturiser or two. A lovely rich one for the night and a lighter one plus sunblock – yes even in the cold weather – is a must have!

In conclusion, change in our lives is inevitable, be mindful of this and plan for it so your skin doesn’t suffer in the long term.

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