The most effective method of preventing acne scars is to prevent the breakout of acne!
Even though we have learned that acne is not a disease, that we have control over through our eating habits or our regular activities, there are some things that can be done in conjunction with treatment that can help to decrease the chances of experiencing large inflammatory responses. Many factors are to blame for our body’s natural reaction to clogged pores. We’ve already learned that the inflammation that is seen when a pimple becomes visible is the culmination of our body’s immune system fighting the bacteria that has grown as a result of a plugged follicle. Now, what we will discover is that there are a few simple things that we can do to help control this reaction. Although our diet does not directly affect the skin’s ability to shed dead cells at a natural rate, our eating habits can change the way our body reacts when our skin pores become clogged. When starchy foods enter the body, they are rapidly converted to sugar. This rise in blood sugar can be directly related to an inflammatory response. To minimize the chances of this to happen, there are certain foods and beverages that should be avoided when suffering from acne, as well as some foods that when eaten can help combat the inflammatory response. Starchy foods that should be avoided include white bread, bananas, potatoes, pasta, peas, corn and sugary foods like cakes and sweet treats. All of these foods contribute to the onset of an inflammatory response (or pro-inflammatory). Caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol are also contributing factors to the inflammatory response. Foods that can be eaten as often as you like include dark green, leafy vegetables like romaine lettuce, spinach, and leeks. A safe way to gauge whether or not a fruit or vegetable is specifically beneficial to an acne sufferer is to look at its color. The deeper and brighter the color of a fruit or vegetable, the better it is for the skin. Things like blueberries, cantaloupe, plums, carrots, peppers, and squash are great to reduce the inflammation associated with acne. Besides just fruits and vegetables, there are other foods that are anti-inflammatory and a healthy part of everyday living. Turkey, oatmeal, yogurt, nuts, and eggs are great sources of protein and have excellent anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking water has always been touted as the way to maintain healthy skin, and as much as it may just seem like something your mother used to say to make you drink water, the truth is that it is great for your skin. When clear fluids are consumed, they are digested quickly and flushed through our liver, kidneys, and bladder. The more often this flushing happens, the less likely it becomes that toxins have a chance to build up in the system causing the liver malfunction that leads to hormone imbalance, and ultimately, acne, or an increase in already present acne. Green tea is also an excellent fluid to have in the system on a regular basis. One of the very best foods that can be eaten to help reduce acne is salmon. Salmon and other pink fish contain Omega 3 fatty acids which are amazingly effective in the battle against acne. A recent discovery shows that people who stick to a strict low, or no fat diet, are twice as likely to suffer from acne as those who eat a healthy diet containing protein, carbohydrates, and fatty acids. When eaten as part of a healthy diet and in recommended proportions, there is no risk of weight gain as a result of eating foods rich in these nutrients. Stress is also a huge contributing factor to the inflammatory response. When we become stressed our body produces adrenaline, our blood sugar, and amino acid levels rise, causing our hormone levels to fluctuate, and the inflammatory response kicks into overdrive. Considering that stress has become an everyday occurrence in most people’s lives, this can be a hard cycle to avoid. If we can remind ourselves to take a deep breath every once in a while and try not to let the “little things” get to us as often, we can greatly reduce the chances of experiencing stress related breakouts. Over exertion through exercise has much the same effect as stress does in regards to the way that our system responds. A regular exercise routine is, of course, a great addition to a healthy lifestyle. But when exercise is sporadic and intense, the body is thrown into the same vicious cycle of raised adrenaline, blood sugar levels and amino acids that occur when stress is experienced. If you have an exercise routine, keep it regular, trying not to cram a week's worth of physical exertion into an intense three-hour stint at the gym once a week. Even getting out for a half hour work out three times a week is better than one two hour work out each week. Balance is key when trying to combat the inflammatory response naturally. A balanced diet, a balanced mental state, and a balanced exercise routine are all essential to gaining and maintaining a clear complexion.
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