[SKIN Reaction to Internal and External Influences]

by Jane WurwandReprinted from Health and Beauty Magazine



Edication and vitamins
e.g Birth Control Pills

AntibioticsEnvironmental pollution
The effects of environmental pollution are seen on the skin in both obvious and subtle ways. Oriental diagnosis believes the lungs and skin to be sister organs, and this does seem to bear out when the skin of a person living in high pollution is viewed. In Los Angeles, where our smog is world-renowned, there is a very high incidence of skin sensitivity and allergic reactions.2. Within the topic of pollution must come smokers, who by the reason that they inhale toxic fumes, are creating their own personal pollution.3. Within the subject of the environment must come the effects of sunlight. It is characterized by groups of blackheads and sometimes yellowish nodules commonly occurring in both cheeks and the area next to the eyes, in men. These areas may also be extremely wrinkled.

Stress and lifestyle pressure
1. Stress has long been known to influence and aggravate acne breakouts.

Menstruation and pregnancy
1. Menstruation predisposes the skin to reactions because of the abnormal hormonal balance.2. During pregnancy, scars may darken, and extraction work may leave pigmented marks on the skin.

Elimination and digestion
Excessive use of diuretics and laxatives will cause the skin to become dehydrated.

Health problems and medical background
1. Diabetic clients have a skin with a poor healing quality.2. Thyroid conditions affect the skin.3. Liver diseases such as yellow jaundice increase the skin"s susceptability to bruising.

Conclusion
The purpose of this article is not to provide an exhaustive account of skin manifestations, indeed there have been many excellent books written on that subject. I hope it will remind us that much of what we see on the skin surface is due to a systemic or external reason, and not always the result of a product application. So often, I see estheticians and clients who want to find the answer to all skin problems in a product, and also maybe blame that product if a reaction occurs. Above all, let us at last all realize that these skin manifestations of systematic and external effects show us that we cannot treat a part of our bodies without affecting the whole. As we are continually teaching at our post-graduate training center "Treat the whole person not just the particular symptoms that show on the skin."