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5 Reasons to Sleep for Better Skin

 

Image courtesy of marin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of marin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A good night’s sleep can be considered one of the finer things in life. Sure, it helps you feel rejuvenated and energized, but did you know beauty sleep is a real thing? Sleep has a major impact on the skin’s natural glow.

1. Slow down the aging process

The damaging and breakdown of skin due to aging or acceleratory causes like photoaging can be repaired by growth hormones during deep sleep. This prevents wrinkles and allows spots to heal quicker.

2. Enhance natural beauty

Getting an adequate amount of sleep rehydrates the body and restores water balance. The recovery of moisture decreases puffy under-eye circles and dryness of skin. The increase in blood flow from sleeping also helps produce a healthy glow.

3. Keep skin diseases from flaring up

Not enough sleep can result in inflammation of the body, which damages your immune system and makes it easier to get sick. A decreased immune system can also flare skin diseases like eczema.

4. Keep dark circles from developing

The body’s cells regenerate near the skin as you sleep. Not allowing these cells to reset can cause blood vessels to dilate, creating a blue or purple circle around the eyes.

5. Healthy skin products can work better

Since the skin repairs itself in its sleep, moisture creams, acne medicine or any other skin products you may use should work efficiently. The skin has more time to repair itself rather than defend against things like the sun or chemicals.

If you see a consistency in flare-ups, consider stress or lack of sleep as the culprit. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night. As always, never hesitate to see a dermatologist if you’re concerned with your skin care.

Image courtesy of marin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Stress & Your Skin

Stress affects more than just your work and social life. Your body and your skin can give you telltale signs of stress. So what are these signs?

Skin can appear more aged. Research has linked work-related stress to the accelerated aging of your skin. The cells involved in the regeneration of skin become damaged, hindering skin turnover. Dead skin cells begin to buildup and look dry and dull. Stressed facial expressions such as furrowed brows and frowning cause wrinkles and lines which, combined with decreased cell turnover, become more and more noticeable.

If you’re prone to unhealthy eating during stressful times and not getting adequate sleep, then you’re robbing your skin of its vibrancy. Your body’s energy is maxed out with breaking down the fast food and trying to function on little sleep. The cortisol from the unhealthy eating remains in your skin and breaks down your skin’s barrier. So you’re harming your skin on the inside and the outside.

Stress can also cause brittle nails, increased acne and even hair loss. Your body needs a break every now and then, so push the pause button and relax! Go get a manicure, prepare a bubble bath or book a full-body massage. It’s okay to treat yourself every now and then. Your skin will thank you.

How to Get Luscious Lips

red lips

Dry, cracked lips are never a good look, and it’s an uncomfortable predicament. They hurt and bleed and spoil the fun of the bold lipstick colors you love. So how can you prevent or treat them?

Your lips only have a thin layer of skin to serve as a barrier. There are no oil or sweat glands to react to any dryness they feel. So all the salty snacks, carbonated drinks and weather elements directly impact the integrity of your lips’ anatomy. Speaking of salty snacks and soda, your diet can compromise your lips’ appearance. Acidic foods can absorb all the moisture that otherwise would help plump your lips. Drinking the recommended amount of water and maintaining a diet rich in vitamins and high water content helps balance out the acidic foods you consume.

If you’re currently experiencing chapped lips, try exfoliating and applying a rich balm right before bed. This, along with drinking water and eating a vitamin-rich diet, will help you have soft, healthy and luscious lips throughout the season.

If you have any questions about your lips or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Your Diet Affects Your Skin

Eating-for-a-healthy-skin Do you notice a change in your skin after eating a greasy cheese burger or a bar of chocolate? Your body may react to these foods causing break outs. If your skin is already prone to breakouts, these, and other foods may further aggravate the condition. There are several foods to stay away from in order to achieve beautiful, glowing skin:

  • High concentrations of salt
  • Milk
  • High-Glycemic foods such as white breads, pastas or cakes
  • Sugar
  • Alcohol

These foods are prone to cause unwanted break outs. But don’t be discouraged because not all food is bad for your skin. There are many options that are enriched with vitamins and antioxidants that will leave your skin looking more radiant.

To see if your diet is affecting your skin, schedule an appointment with one of our certified dermatologists today! And if you need some good ideas for a skin-friendly menu, we can give you some insight on that too.

If you have any questions about acne or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Nutrition and Its Impact on Skin Health

Is what you put on your plate as important as what you put on your skin? YES! Physicians, health experts and dermatologists alike agree that skin health is reflective of our diet. Therefore, diets rich in vitamins and antioxidants are more likely to reveal a clear, smooth and vibrant complexion.  This blog will explore exactly which foods are best (and worst) for skin so you can reassess your diet and make changes if necessary. At Knoxville Dermatology Group, the health of your skin is our number one priority. We hope informative articles such as this enhances your skin health knowledge, so you can take a more pro-active approach to your skin care.

Skin that is dry, dull, sallow and even slow to repair itself is an indication of a weak diet. When your diet lacks variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins and carbohydrates then it will show in your appearance, namely the skin.  Health experts emphasize the importance of eating a balanced diet not only to support skin’s appearance, but to ward off illness and disease. So what foods are best for skin and why?

Low-Fat Dairy Products- Yogurt
The health of our skin cells is dependent on dietary vitamin A, often found in dairy products.  Furthermore, low-fat yogurt is highly recommended as it is also high in acidophilus, the “live” bacteria that is good for intestinal health.  These live bacteria and enzymes promote normal digestion which is strongly tied to healthy-looking skin.                                                                                                                                                                                          

Fruit- Blackberry, Blueberry, Strawberry, Plum
These “fab four” fruits have the highest “total antioxidant capacity” of any food according to studies.  These fruits contain antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect skin cells from damage to their DNA. For instance, free radicals formed from sun exposure can contribute to cell disintegration and premature aging. However, antioxidants and phytochemicals serve as a guard and block these effects, thus helping skin retain its youth.

Essential Fatty Acids- Salmon, Walnuts, Canola Oil, Flax Seed
Cell membranes are important because they hold water in; the stronger that barrier is the better cells can hold moisture, thus allowing skin to appear supple and plump.  Essential fatty acids are necessary to maintain a healthy cell membrane.  A balance of essential fatty acids omega 3 and omega 6 aids skin health. Since many people lack omega 3s, incorporating more fish, walnut and flax seed oil is recommended.

Eating good-quality oils is another way to keep skin well lubricated. Oils labeled cold pressed, expeller processed, or extra virgin are the best choices. Keep in mind, any fat is high in calories so limit consumption to two tablespoons per day.      

Selenium-Rich Foods
The mineral selenium present in whole-wheat bread, cereals; turkey, tuna and Brazil nuts play a key role in health of skin cells.  Studies shown in the American Academy of Dermatology indicate skin damaged by sun may suffer fewer consequences when selenium levels are high. In addition, skin cells with high levels of selenium are less likely to suffer from oxidative damage- often linked to the risk of cancer.

Avoid foods that contain white-flour, sugar and white rice. All these items can affect insulin levels, thus causing inflammation and break outs.

Water

Proper hydration is vital to our skin cells. Not only does water hydrate cells, but it helps cells move nutrients in and toxins out. This is pertinent to overall health and helps skin look clean and clear.

Although it is recommended we drink around eight glasses of water each day, the type of water is equally important to amount. Do not shy away from hard water, as it is high in minerals. Soft water may taste better, but it loses the health benefits because it has been de-mineralized.

Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to gain more knowledge about your skin so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential!