The skin is the largest organ in the body. One of it's many functions is to assist with elimination of the body's toxic waste product through sweating. If the body's toxic load is more than the liver and kidneys can eliminate, the skin helps the process. The process of elimination of toxins through the skin can affect it's integrity and appearance. This is essential to understanding many skin disorders.

Acne

The skin "breathes" through it's pores. When these pores are clogged from dirt, dust, oil, and environmental pollutants, microbes can flourish, and acne can result. These elements that can clog the pores can be eliminated through proper cleansing of the skin, using gentle, nontoxic products.

Acne is an inflammatory process involving the skin, manifesting itself as pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. Sufferers of severe or adult acne may experience impacts on their self-esteem.

Acne is common during puberty and the teenage years, when the body increases its production of androgens, which stimulate the production of keratin (a protein) and sebum (an oil lubricant). The excess oil can block the pore, allowing bacteria to become trapped and causing a blemish. It is affecting an increasing number of adults.

Teenage acne occurs mainly on the face and upper body, whereas adult acne usually falls along the chin and jaw line. It is associated with hormones (premenstrual acne is caused by a release of progesterone after ovulation), birth control pill use (also from progesterone), candida infections, stress, allergies, certain drugs, nutritional deficiencies, a diet high in saturated and hydrogenated fats, environmental pollution, and the body's pH balance.

Proper skin care is important in the treatment of acne, however acne is not caused by uncleanliness. It is more often a result of an overactive oil gland.

Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)

Eczema is a skin disorder characterized by inflammation, that produces scaling, flaking, thickening, weeping, crusting, and itching. It typically appears on the face, in the bends of elbows, behind the knees.

In children, it usually appears before the age of one, and often resolves by 18 months of age. Triggers for children can include cold or heat, dry atmosphere, exposure to allergens, stress, and infections.

Several underlying problems can lead to eczema, especially disorders of the digestive system and allergies.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a condition where skin hyperproliferation causes patches of skin to become red to brown in colour and covered with silvery-white scales. It appears on the legs, knees, arms, elbows, scalp and back. It is often hereditary. Normally a skin cell matures and passes from the bottom layer to the epidermis (outer layer) in 28 days. Psoriatic cells, however, form in about 8 days, causing the production of excessive numbers of skin cells in a short period of time.

It generally is experienced in patterns of periodic flare-ups and remissions. These attacks can be triggered by stress, injury, illness, surgery, poison ivy, infection, sunburn, drugs or alcohol, and certain medications.

Contact us to discuss how we might be able to help with your skin conditions.