The number people over 30 needing acne treatments has climbed to the
extent that a report published in Journal of the American Academy of
Dermatology recommends raising the age for insurance coverage of the
acne drug tretinoin to at least 40. The authors of the report, Drs.
Steven Feldman and Alan Fleischer, dermatologists at Wake Forest
University Baptist Medical Center, add that many insurance companies
refuse to pay for tretinoin prescriptions for patients older than 25.
Even
if your insurance company leaves you to fend for yourself, you still
have options for freeing yourself from acne and wrinkles. At first,
coping with acne and wrinkles may seem like a cosmetic catch 22. Do you
dry your skin with acne cleansers containing benzoyl peroxide and
salicylic acid, and worsen your wrinkles? Or, do you smear on the
moisturizer to smooth the wrinkles, but cope with the zits brought on
by the extra oil?
Before you get frantic, ask yourself a series
of questions. Adult acne may be the result of hormonal flunctuations
triggers by diet, stress or your environment.
1. Are you regular?
About
70% of your immune system is located in your intestines. If this area
is blocked with waste, your immuno-defenses are down. So, instead of
waste leaving your body via the rectum, it chooses to leave through the
skin. Waste leaving the skin can cause an infection that presents
itself as acne.
2. Are you tense?
Tension likewise
reduces the vigor of the immune system. Take a few deep breaths
throughout the day to calm your body. Take a long walk in the fresh air
to wind down.
3. Are you eating all the nutrients you need?
Cases
of acne have been improved with consuming foods containing zinc,
essential fatty acids, vitamin A and a host of other nutrients. All of
these vital nutrients are available in leafy green vegetables, fruits
and olive oil.
4. Are you constantly thinking about a personal issue that you have not addressed?
Not
resolving personal issues creates conflict and tension in the body.
Again, these issues most be addressed to avoid undue stress within the
body.
5. Are you exercising everyday?
Exercise
reduces stress and gives you an opportunity to subconsciously
contemplate challenges that you may be facing. Physical activity also
keeps your muscles and intestines toned, which keeps encourages
regularity.
6. Are you changing your pillowcase frequently?
Using
a dirty pillowcase aggravates an acne condition. Your face naturally
secretes oils during the night. These oils are sticky. So if you
pillowcase if dirty, you are allowing your face to collect extra waste
during the night, which could further clog your pores.
7. Have you moved recently or are you changing your job/career?
New
demands or feelings of lose can sometimes accompany change. Transfer
these emotions into something constructive by writing in a journal or
envisioning how these changes are going to benefit you. Find comfort in
these changes and opportunities for new beginnings.
8. (Women) Do you also experience excessive facial hair growth and erratic periods?
Conditions
such as acne, excessive facial hair, and erratic periods could indicate
an androgen disorder or other underlying hormonal imbalances. Your
doctor can provide you with a series of endocrine tests to ascertain
your hormone levels and what corrective actions you should take.
Ricardo Azziz, M.D, who serves as Chair of the Department of Obstetrics
and Director of the Center for Androgen-Related Disorders at
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, estimates that 80 percent of women with
excessive androgen levels suffer from an endocrine disorder called
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Dr. Azziz adds that women with PCOS
often have insulin resistance and are at increased risk for developing
Type II diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
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