Skin Problems And The Environment

By Author: Steven Johnson
Total Articles: 494
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When talking about the problems of teens and the smaller number of adults whose skin erupts into a mass of spots and zits, it's usual only to discuss heredity and changes in the hormone level. Some go on to expose the myths so you get the reassuring news you should not wash your face excessively, what you eat is irrelevant, and so on. Very few people talk about the environment. Given the Climate Change Conference being held in Copenhagen, it's appropriate to have a look at the extent to which your lifestyle can affect your skin. When the world was essentially agricultural and the industrial revolution was just a gleam in a baby industrialist's eye, there were fewer skin problems. Now, some experts estimate that 85% of all people growing up in the developed world will experience skin problems at some point in their lives. In addition to the inevitable eruptions of spots, these will include itchiness, a loss of elasticity, changes in color and the early appearance of wrinkles. It's strange to say but the changes seen in old age are now being seen in the young.

Skin is the largest single organ of the body and it's exposed ...
... to the atmosphere and sun. Medical researchers now confirm that continuous exposure to pollution and ultraviolet are to blame for many skin problems. The chemicals and light are affecting the collagen in the skin which reduces elasticity and forms wrinkles, encourages an uneven distribution of pigmentation and causes a loss of texture. A build-up of ozone accelerates the loss of vitamin E which helps keep the skin healthy. Now add in all those chemicals. As the number of vehicles on the roads increases, the level of hydrocarbons in the air increases. This can trigger a darkening of the skin and the development of acne. If the exposure is high, the skin grows increasingly sensitive to ultraviolet with resulting damage. Then we get to all the chemicals in cleaning materials, adhesives, pesticides, and so on. They are responsible for a new range of skin allergies and breathing problems.

Articles that focus only on acne fail to give you the big picture. You should avoid exposure to pollution wherever possible and reduce your usage of dangerous chemicals. You can consider wearing a medicated sunscreen on exposed shoulders, arms and legs, but clean it off the face regularly to avoid blocking the pores for long period of time. A hat offering shade is better. Following this advice will reduce the risks of skin problems in general and acne in particular. But if acne does prove resistant, work your way up through the list of treatments. If all else has failed, you come to accutane. In most cases, this is successful during the first period of use and always successful following the second period. But, because of the risks of fetal damage, no woman of childbearing age should take accutane unless a strict regime of contraception is in place. There must be no chance of a pregnancy during the course of treatment. Young and adult men can use this drug without problems. Note that for other skin problems, different treatments are required. Always get medical advice.