Covering internal and external factors that contribute to the break down of skin health, with supportive alternatives instead of Botox and other fillers.
Why Less Can Be More
When we remove things that cause internal damage to the skin, inflammatory triggers, it provides opportunity for better, health allowing vibrance and radiance to thrive, which ultimately shows up in our outer appearance through our skin. The drawback is that many of our favorite comforts are some of the biggest culprits to the breakdown of healthy skin and tissue. When this happens, it can make us feel a need to provide a quick fix with Botox or fillers to regain that fullness that we do desire.
Primary Culprits to Avoid
Starting with the biggest factors that we use the most that affect skin in a negative way, in no particular order~
Sugar is a primary factor to contend with in the aging process and the breakdown of healthy skin. The trouble is that it causes glycation, which means that it binds to collagen and elastin proteins, things we count on to keep our skin tight and firm. After it binds to the proteins, it causes them to weaken, so they aren’t able to hold the skin in place. Primary sources of these sugar culprits are found in glucose and fructose, which we need and use both, but when consumed in excess, it contributes to too much sugar in the blood. That’s when the damage is amplified. Biggest culprits are found in alcohol, desserts, refined sugars and refined carbohydrates that you find in ultra processed* foods. (*Most everything that we eat now is processed in some form or another unless it comes right out of it’s own peel or straight off the vine. This reference of ‘processed’ refers to packaged foods where the ingredients are more artificial colors and flavors and preservatives than actual real food ingredients, like candy.)
Alcohol in moderation is key. You can see after consuming larger amounts that it show up directly the next morning. You know when you had too much the night before and you look in the mirror and you seem to have lost a little of your radiance, somehow you look just a little off? That my dear friend, is the work of glycation, the immediate, visible proof, to remind us that moderation is key. Adding in extra hydration perhaps with electrolytes, some collagen, good proteins and perhaps a multivitamin into your day will be most helpful in regaining your radiance. The end of this article contains a link to a great read in Elle to help understand glycations effects on our body.
Cigarettes have thousands of chemicals in them, many of them break down the collagen and elastin in the skin which are what keeps it strong. Cigarettes load the body with free radicals, which cause damage to healthy cells and tissues. The higher the load of free radicals, the greater the chance for healthy tissue to break down and become weakened and potentially sick.
Internal Inflammatory Triggers
Not everyone reacts to foods, but for those who are impacted by what they eat, foods can contribute to tissue breakdown that can contribute to the overall aging process. Biggest inflammatory potential comes from things like soy, gluten, corn, peanuts, dairy and nightshades: potatoes; tomatoes; eggplant; peppers. Anyone can have food reactions to any food so if you have consistent rashes, redness, irritation or feel like you are aging faster than you should, it would be best to connect with a practitioner who can help you test for foods which may be an issue specifically for you. Often those are temporary reactive triggers, as the body heals, they may not always be a problem. Gmo’s (genetically modified organisms) and foods grown in pesticides should also be avoided as they create more work for the body to process. Sometimes it may not be the food itself but that it is a genetically altered version that our body cannot process which can ultimately degrade skin health.
Beneficial Things To Consider
Water
Pure, filtered, clean water, great to hydrate from within. We need water to flush the toxins from our body that we ingest through foods, liquids, personal care products we apply topically and the air we breathe. When we are dehydrated, our skin tends to look like crepe paper, which is a sign that you need more water (and perhaps to do a mild exfoliation and hydrating moisturizer). If the lines at your cheeks where you smile are more pronounced on some days, that is another indication that you are dehydrated and need more water. Make sure to drink the proper amount of water for your size and activity level, remember physical exercise and heat make for greater water loss and will require more water to replenish levels.
Sleep Patterns to Recognize
Do you sleep on your side or stomach? That may cause your face to sustain hours of pressure in a position which will highlight a particular curve the next day making it look more like a crease. If you side sleep, try to prop your head so you aren’t leaning down on your face.
Behavior Patterns to Recognize
Are you a person who frowns more than you smile? Facial expressions that pair with frowns include a furrowed brow, or what is also called the ’11’s’ in the area between your eyebrows. Do you purse your lips when you are deep in thought? Try some facial massage to relax the forehead, eye sockets, upper cheekbones, mouth and chin, refer to the face yoga suggestion below.
Facial Exercises
Remember ‘use it or lose it’? Yep, it’s sooooo true! Especially when it comes to our facial muscles~check out ‘Face Yoga Method’ and start working those muscles!!! I have found many of her Instagram Posts to be most helpful in finding quick supportive routines to adopt for my personal use. If you want support through the process, sign up for one of her courses, otherwise, you can learn a lot from her social media posts.
Supplements for Skin Health
There are numerous supplements that have been proven to help skin when consumed internally. The same nutrients that are boasted for use topically can almost all provide greater benefit when taken internally. There is a link to an incredible article called “Supplements for Skin Health’ that was put together by the Veterans Administration, it verifies much of what I state here, the link is at the end of this article. All of the recommendations in this article should be taken under the advisement of your own health care professional to determine necessity and proper dosage as well as any contraindications. Please see the information at the end of this article if you need help finding a practitioner who is familiar with the benefits of supplementation.
Green Tea is a great antioxidant. It contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate (aka EGCG) which helps to prevent cell damage. It’s just as effective in decaffeinated form if you want to avoid the caffeine. When you work with a practitioner, they may recommend that you take EGCG in supplement form which would provide a greater amount of antioxidant support.
Collagen included daily, ideally from an organic, non GMO source, from food like bone broths. We start to lose collagen in our early 30’s and things like pollution, tobacco, and sugar can further deplete our stores. You can also find it in supplemental form, but food sources are always best.
Omegas are supper anti inflammatory which helps to combat inflammatory activity happening in the body from sugar, environment and other triggers. If you don’t like using omegas from fish, incorporating Borage, Flax and Chia could be something to ask your Dr about.
Herbs like Horsetail (Equisetum Aravense), He Shou Wu (Polygon Multiflorum), Nettles (Urtic Dioica)~all are high in minerals, reparative and restorative qualities. These would be great in tea form but will be stronger in a tincture or capsule form. However, it is always best to work with a practitioner to find the best fit for you with your health concerns and ensure there are no contraindications.
Vitamin C is important for connective tissue and so many other aspects of skin and overall health. Food sources are always best and your Dr can help determine best supplemental sources and dosing.
Neem is a powerhouse for skin conditions but again, best to work with a practitioner.
Zinc is a critical mineral for skin health working as an anti inflammatory and is very supportive in the wound healing process. Dosing should be calculated by your Dr.
Vitamin D is another vitamin that our skin (and body overall) needs for a healthy immune response. Levels should be tested prior to taking it to make sure you are consuming a dose appropriate for you.
Curcumin or Turmeric is incredibly anti inflammatory. Including more Turmeric in your diet is a great way to bring those anti inflammatory properties throughout the day, supporting your system in the foods or drinks your consume. It can be taken in supplement form as well, again, under the advisement of your doctor.
A More Personal Reminder For You To Consider
Can I take a moment to please remind you that these human bodies of ours are perfectly constructed, with each and every one of our self perceived imperfections. Modern society has bent our minds to think that beauty means our skin must be smooth, flawless and ageless, most especially for women. These are such harmful beliefs to us all, we will age, we are meant to, it is part of our growth process. It seems that overall, as a society, we have lost our respect for elders. Here is a quote to better explain: “There was a time when becoming an Elder was a Rite of Passage. Where external beauty wasn’t the only prevailing currency determining one’s value. Where the Wisdom one learnt was met with dignity and honor. The anti-aging war has replaced the sacred significance of wrinkles and grey hair and made them enemies of Elderhood instead of respectable allies. Mere markers of inadequacy and undesirability instead of the naturally recognizable wisdom earned through surviving a life of perils, joys and lessons.” This excerpt is from Kathleen McCauley Anast’s soon to be released book titled ‘Myrtle~Shifting Shadows Through Grief & Cancer & Befriending an Unlikely Ally.’
My hope for you is that you are able to embrace your unique features, those which make you you…marks of character, reminders of your strength, what you have endured to get you to this time where your radiance truly shines from within.
To Fill or Not To Fill
An important aspect to consider that we don’t truly know, is how long term use of these fillers regularly will impact our body systemically over time, most especially the botulinum based fillers. Our world is incredibly toxic right now, we are bombarded daily with harmful, cancer causing chemicals; in the air we
breathe, the water we drink, the foods we eat, the clothes we wear and the products we use to wash them and all of the various ingredients in our daily body care products, household air fresheners and cleaners and pet care products…to name just a few. We also have genetic predispositions for disease and cancers, why purposefully inject more unknown variables into the mix of our genetic makeup paired with our toxic planet. Add all of this to a list of potential side effects to consider when using facial injectables. Is it really worth it?
Botox/Dysport: Botulinum Type of Fillers
We can relate botulinum type of injections to a cast for a broken bone~if you can imagine with me~what happens to the muscles after they come out of the cast, several months later to heal that broken bone? You have to work those muscles to regain their strength because the muscle has been frozen…same thing happens when those injections to ‘freeze’ your muscle are used to ‘fill the void’ of a wrinkle. Then there is the list of side effects to consider, some of which can be life long and affect entire systems like overall muscle control.
Juvederm & Hyaluronic Acid Type Fillers
If you absolutely feel a need to do any filers, this would be a better alternative as Hyaluronic Acid is something that the body makes and we lose as we get older. Again, working with a licensed and board certified doctor is the most important to remember. If you are looking for someone to start with, let me know, I may have a name for you.
These are very basic and general instructions, for more specifics tailored specifically to your needs, please schedule a complementary Discovery Call or a Consultation with Tanya at https://holisticskincaretherapy.com/services/.
*All recommendations for dietary changes, herbs or supplemental consideration should be taken by advisement under the care of your MD, Naturopathic Doctor, Herbalist, Nutritionist, Ayurvedic Practitioner or other qualified health care practitioner you are working with as these may need direction specific to your health care needs. If you would like to find a professional to help support your concerns separately from your MD, who may not be familiar with many of these, please let me know, I have several options to find someone right for you.
Here is the article from Elle to help understand glycations effects on our body, ~I do not endorse the products that she recommends at the end.
Veterans Administration Article ‘Supplements for Skin Health‘
