dr samdhattwrites
treating skin from the inside&outside
In the second of a two part article, Dr SamDhatt explains how to treat skin conditions including Rosacea andHyperpigmentation with internal nutrients and topical agents
Today’smost effective treatments for fighting Rosacea andHyperpigmentation use both an internal and external approach.
Affecting about 14million people inNorth America alone, Rosacea continues tomystify researcherswith a cause that’s still being
debated.Demodex folliculorummites,which are found in large concentrations in Rosacea patients’ skin, is one prevailing theory. Others postulate that Rosacea occurswhen blood vessels expand too easily.
TheNational Institutes forHealth (NIH) has funded newresearch into Rosacea, yielding insights fromDr. RichardGallo of the University of SanDiegowho, alongwith his colleagues, have found that some Rosacea sufferers have high levels of inflammation- causing chemicals in their skin.
Often confusedwithAcne, Rosacea causes reddening of the cheeks, nose and forehead, spider-like blood vessels (telangiectasia) and, sometimes, pimple-like blemishes and inflamed eyes.
Although there is no known cure for Rosacea, conventional treatments include antibiotics, such as doxycycline,minocycline or
tetracycline.Topical antimicrobials include prescriptionmetronidazole or azelaic acid.Without a prescription, azelaic acid can help by offering an anti-inflammatory effect. There are also vaso-endolethial growth factors (VEGF), inhibitors that help reduce telangiectasia and attenuate skin redness. Topical treatments based on herbs like Magnolia andAstragalus rootmay also have some inhibitory effect by reducing redness and supporting the skin’s immunity system. One study involving 246 Rosacea patients found that a creamcontaining an extract of Chrysanthellumindicumsignificantly improved facial redness compared to placebo. Researchers theorise that the compounds in the extract strengthen the skin’s capillaries.
Another study, presented as an abstract at the 2005AmericanAcademy ofDermatology annualmeeting, found evidence that aGreen Tea creammay help ameliorate red bumps and pustules associatedwith Rosacea.
Often used to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation, niacinamide (B3) improved the skin barrier in a small study of 50 participants [3]. Some researchers are exploring the B3 vitamin as an oral Rosacea treatment aswell. Licorice is another useful ingredient to add to your Rosacea treatments for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Evidence has found thatGreen Teamay help ameliorate red bumps and pustules associatedwith Rosacea.
AswithAcne, azelaic acid slows the growth of bacteria in Rosacea patients and appears to demonstrate efficacy in reducing redness, papules and pustules in rosacea patients. A University of British Columbia study found that an azelaic acid 20%creamproved
comparable to a topicalmetronidazole 0.75% creamin reducing papules and pustules in Rosacea
skin.Azelaic acid also appears to have a slight edge over the prescription in reducing
redness.As a bonus, azelaic acid has some skin-lightening properties.
foods in the red
LikeAcne, food choices can affect Rosacea symptoms but, in this case, the choices are more aboutwhat not to eat. Spicy foods, hot beverages and alcohol are some of the biggest triggers of Rosacea
symptoms.The theory is that these foodsmay cause the release of chemicals that dilate blood vessels, which lead to the common flushing response.
Conversely, one food thatmay help the condition isApple CiderVinegar,which is thought to stimulate digestive enzymes that help normalise the bacteria in the intestines. Nevertheless, it’s best to consult a health practitioner first before introducingApple CiderVinegar into the diet as some reports link at least the tablets to esophageal injury.
In addition, a 2008 study by Italian researchers in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology reported that silymarin from MilkThistle eased Rosacea symptoms [4].
hyperpigmentation
The global skin-lighteningmarket is estimated to reach $10 billion by 2015, according toGlobal IndustryAnalysts (GIA). Today’s brighteners are sought by aworld population looking to lighten darker skin tones aswell as counter hyperpigmentation induced by sun exposure and hormonal changes.Tyrosinase inhibitors, such as
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