Conditions of Skin. Complextion Count Down by Anne C. Willis. DERMASCOPE July 2008

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1 Conditions of Skin Complextion Count Down by Anne C. Willis 58 DERMASCOPE July 2008

2 W hen you hear your skin referred to as problematic, you immediately equate this with a dilemma, complication, troublesome, distressed, obstacle, an inconvenience. We want it instantaneously fixed! Who wants a problem? In fact when your skin is experiencing a problem, it is a sign that your body is in a healing phase, which is a good thing. The skin is trying to expel waste, bacteria, toxins, or possible negative emotions as an attempt to return the body and skin back to health. Our culture views skin eruptions as an inconvenience, sickness, and a sign of ugliness. If the skin breaks out we try and cover, hide, dry, or completely get rid of it. However, what we are actually doing is suppressing the symptoms, not addressing the root cause. Our bodies weren t designed for modern life. We are constantly exposed to toxins, infectious agents, stress, and a diet that is biologically altering the structure and function of skin. This kind of demand requires a lot of support in order to maintain the immune systems resilience within the skin. Some people are better detoxifiers and can withstand more exposure before they have symptoms. Others need more support. July 2008 DERMASCOPE 59

Skin is not a problem, but a reflection of our current lifestyles.

The Rhino virus (also known as the common cold) is another example of how our body responds as an attempt to rid itself of an invader.

We rub and sneeze not realizing the virus has already manifested itself in the tissue.

The mucus discharge and watery eyes is designed by the body as carriers to eliminate the virus.

The virus is already dead and needs these vehicles to rid the body of the virus waste.

Therefore, the problematic discharges and redness is prolonged.

Also supplementing the body when the first signs of the virus have manifested (itchy nose and sneezing) prevents the Rhino virus from turning

Instead of allowing the body to naturally respond to this intruder, we take antihistamines and cold remedies intended to bring down

3 Skin is not a problem, but a reflection of our current lifestyles. We need to adjust our habits in order to survive the onslaught of challenges our skin is faced with. The Rhino virus (also known as the common cold) is another example of how our body responds as an attempt to rid itself of an invader. As soon as the virus burrows itself in the warm, dark, damp tissue of the nasal passage, we begin to feel an itch in our nose. We rub and sneeze not realizing the virus has already manifested itself in the tissue. The thing about the Rhino virus is that within 48 hours it is dead. So why do we experience red and watery eyes and a runny nose days later? The mucus discharge and watery eyes is designed by the body as carriers to eliminate the virus. Inflammation verifies that the immune system is responding to this invader. The virus is already dead and needs these vehicles to rid the body of the virus waste. If the bodies immune system is depleted, the body is incapable of fighting the virus. Therefore, the problematic discharges and redness is prolonged. Supporting the discharge capability allows the body to return to health sooner. Also supplementing the body when the first signs of the virus have manifested (itchy nose and sneezing) prevents the Rhino virus from turning into a chronic condition. Instead of allowing the body to naturally respond to this intruder, we take antihistamines and cold remedies intended to bring down inflammation, dry up mucus discharge, and relieve watery eyes. WRONG!!!! By treating a cold this way we are in fact driving the virus deep within our body allowing it to manifest and reappear weeks later. Skin is treated much the same way. When a pimple begins to form, the skin will feel tender or sore, the tissue Discussion Forums Network at the comfort of your monitor and keyboard. Pose questions, get answers, share information, grow the industry. The future is in your fingertips! 60 DERMASCOPE July 2008 begins to swell and may feel itchy. These reactions are the skin s natural response to removing waste, bacteria, and viruses and are a normal healing phase. This is the time to show support. By giving the skin s immune system sustenance, it has a better capability to fight infection and eliminate the toxicity

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from the tissue. Maintaining the skin s elimination system insures that waste and bacteria is passed through the skin instead of forced back into the tissue.

5 from the tissue. Maintaining the skin s elimination system insures that waste and bacteria is passed through the skin instead of forced back into the tissue. Stimulating lymph circulation allows the system to remove dead skin cells and absorb impurities from within the tissue. Once redness, pus, swelling, and a watery discharge are present, the skin has moved into a purging phase and the required treatment should assist this phase through its normal response. Once the condition has become chronic, the approach to treatment changes and becomes more involved. Allopathic medicine recommends solutions such as AHA s and Retin-A, which do not offer support and can drive the bacteria or pathogen deeper into the skin, thus damaging tissue. Treating skin problems should be approached utilizing a method that works in accordance with natural skin function. If given the right resources, skin has the ability to repair and restore itself. So let us look at what skin functions are involved when a skin breaks out or becomes a problem as well as understand deficiencies and how to overcome them. Skin Defense and Deficiencies The epidermis has three lines of defense. The first is sebum. This is the skin s natural antibiotic that destroys bacteria and virus before they can penetrate the deeper layers of the skin. Sebum also has a nutritional basis supporting skin cells and helping with the epidermal growth factor in skin and follicle. It is produced by the sebaceous glands in the dermis and uses the hair in the follicle as a wick for transport to the surface of the skin. The second line of defense is the Stratum Corneum. This layer is comprised of shingled-like dead cell remnants and are completely filled with keratin fibers. They are also referred to as cuticle. Keratin is a tough, waterrepellant protein designed to impede the invasion of pathogens and viruses. It guards the underling tissue and is essential for the adhesion of sebum. The next line of defense is the skin s immune system. The skin actually has its own immune system. It is comprised of the Langerhans cells. They lie within the Stratum Granulosum and the Stratum Spinosum. If the first two lines of defense are destroyed it is the immune system that responds. When the immune system is stuck in high alert, the skin is vulnerable to a host of problems. Bacteria are more permeable, which can cause skin to breakout. The immune system can also contribute to the problem. When the immune system is constantly in a defensive mode, it begins to misinterpret attackers by producing antibodies that eventually begin to destroy the tissue instead of protecting it. When treating skin that is purging, you must take into account all three systems of defense. The ph of the skin s flora must be balanced, healthy, and in place. It must have free passage to the surface. Stratum Corneum should be exfoliated, but not be over processed. Keratinized cells, which are allowed to accumulate, will obstruct the ostium preventing sebum from being transported freely. However, when Stratum Corneum is over processed you diminish the vehicle, which allows sebum to adhere. The immune system responds when it is under attack or distressed through the following process. Blood transport cells, hormones, and histamines that alert the immune system to repair and cleanup injured tissue. However, when the skin stays in a constant state of inflammation the immune system is stuck on high alert. Leaving the skin in a perpetual state of inflammation weakens capillary walls, destroys the cell membrane, and uses up nutrients in it s peril for survival. Therefore, the use of anti-inflammatory and immune support solutions and skin manipulation techniques should be considered along with strengthening of capillaries. Conditions and Treatment When treating the following conditions, age should always be considered. We are seeing more and more adult acne. With adult acne, there is less oil involved and this must be taken into account. Otherwise a minor skin breakout could become a real problem. Blackheads occur when keratinocytes, which are being shed from the lining of the pores, mix with sebum thus clogging the pores. Oils build up inside pores and when exposed to oxygen the oil mixture turns black. Treatment should include applying solutions that will work to liquefy the solidified fat, expose the rim of the ostium, and soften the tissue surrounding the ostium to allow for waste to be evacuated thoroughly. When the material is evacuated from the follicle, the canal will be left irritated and cells lining the follicle can be destroyed. Therefore, it is necessary to apply a solution after extractions, which will heal the follicle lining and restore the 62 DERMASCOPE July 2008

flora, bringing fresh blood to damaged skin cells aids in healing. Tightening the follicle and ostium will improve the texture of skin and prevent oils from further entrapment or settling.

Papules are small, red, tender bumps under the skin and occur when impacted waste and bacteria irritates the follicle initiating an inflammatory response.

6 flora, bringing fresh blood to damaged skin cells aids in healing. Tightening the follicle and ostium will improve the texture of skin and prevent oils from further entrapment or settling. This is the only problematic skin condition where extractions and steam are appropriate. Papules are small, red, tender bumps under the skin and occur when impacted waste and bacteria irritates the follicle initiating an inflammatory response. Inflammation reveals that the immune system has been called into action and the health of the follicle is compromised. Treatment should include reducing inflammation and swelling and supporting the immune system. Redness reveals that the nerve response is heightened. Reducing an overactive nerve response can be achieved through Acupressure, Lymphatic Drainage Massage, herbs, and clays. Lymphatic Drainage works internally allowing the body to absorb impurities and addresses the parasympathetic nervous system. Acupressure also works the parasympathetic nervous system as well as balances energy meridians, which are affected by emotional imbalances. Clays work on three levels. They contract and tone the tissue allowing it to absorb waste internally and they draw impurities through the surface. The mineral content of clays assist in the restoration and repair of the follicle by feeding injured cells and supporting cells responsible for healing. Neither steamed nor extractions should be procedures utilized on this skin condition. Pressing on a papule can rupture the follicle thus spreading waste and prolonging the healing phase. Pustules are larger, red, and inflamed pus-filled bumps on the skin. The follicle is inflamed and generally has ruptured. Bacteria and infection is now escaping the follicle and spreading throughout the tissue. Lymphatic drainage is the most effective application of massage. Once again clays can reduce inflammation, draw out pus, mucus discharges, and will provide minerals that aid in healing the July 2008 DERMASCOPE 63

tissue. An antibacterial solution would be appropriate in order to address infection. A pustule should never be squeezed. Squeezing would further destroy the follicle and spread the infection.

Minerals affect skins function through: detoxification circulation tissue repair ph balance immune response reduction of irritation redness stimulate lymph reduces flakiness improves skin

Being proactive when symptoms begin to occur will prevent more chronic conditions. Skin does not have to be a problem. It just needs the correct assessment and lots of support.

Clays, herbs, and salts give amazing support to the skin and contain numerous minerals such as To learn more about these protocols and treatments you can visit Anne Willis website at: www.

7 tissue. An antibacterial solution would be appropriate in order to address infection. A pustule should never be squeezed. Squeezing would further destroy the follicle and spread the infection. calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, silicon, and sodium to name a few. Minerals affect skins function through: detoxification circulation tissue repair ph balance immune response reduction of irritation redness stimulate lymph reduces flakiness improves skin clarity cell hydration repairs cell membrane Supporting skin by not being forceful or impatient is the key to a healthy complexion. Being proactive when symptoms begin to occur will prevent more chronic conditions. Skin does not have to be a problem. It just needs the correct assessment and lots of support. Supplementation Professional and Home Care Giving the skin support during the healing phase allows it to naturally expel the waste and bacteria returning skin back to health. Clays, herbs, and salts give amazing support to the skin and contain numerous minerals such as To learn more about these protocols and treatments you can visit Anne Willis website at: Willis offers premiere educational programs and customized training to schools and spas. Each program delivers innovative solutions and quality support and can be conducted on-site to insure maximum success for your staff and the facility. For more information or to schedule on-site or personal training, contact Willis at , or annecwillis@earthlink.net. 64 DERMASCOPE July 2008

The Integumentary System: An Overview

The Integumentary System: An Overview Functions: Protective covering Helps regulate body temperature Retards water loss from deeper tissues Houses sensory receptors Synthesizes biochemicals Excretes small