Skin tips

Psoriasis

When it comes to skin conditions, psoriasis is something many of us have heard of, but do we actually know anything about it? Celebrities with psoriasis include Kim Kardashian, Leann Rimes and America’s Next Top Model winner Caridee English.

Psoriasis is a skin condition which causes patches of skin (usually around the knees, elbows, scalp and lower back) to be itchy, red, flaky and often with silvery scales in places. Severity varies from person to person and from minor localised patches to full body coverage.

What causes psoriasis?

Psoriasis occurs when skin cells are produced too quickly. It is thought that this is because of a problem with the immune system .There are a number of common factors that can cause psoriasis to flare up, these include: excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, an injury to the skin, stress, hormonal changes, certain medicine like anti-inflammatories and in particular throat infections.

Who has psoriasis?

Psoriasis is also largely genetic, where 1 in 3 people who have the condition will have a close family member with it too.

How can psoriasis be treated?

Unfortunately, psoriasis is a lifelong skin condition that currently has no known cure. Whilst none of us want to live with dry flaky skin there are a number of treatments available that can help control the symptoms of psoriasis.

Treatments for psoriasis fall into three categories: topical (cream and ointments for the skin), phytotherapy (exposure to light) and systemic (oral and injected medicines).

Topical treatments are used for mild to moderate cases of psoriasis. Topical corticosteroids are the most commonly used form of treatment which works by slowing down the body’s production of skin cells. The creams vary in strength and should only be used when advised by your GP.

Alternatively, for mild cases of psoriasis Aveneo also has a popular cream said to target the most common symptoms of psoriasis. Organic coconut oil is also excellent for Psoriasis.

Phytotherapy is another treatment option. It uses both natural and/or artificial light to treat the symptoms of psoriasis. Sunlight is a natural form of phytotherapy, where a brief period of daily exposure to sunlight can ease symptoms. Alternatively there is UVB phytotherapy, where ultraviolet B light that is invisible to the eye is shone onto the affected patches of skin by a dermatologist. Normally you would require anywhere between 10 - 30 sessions.

Systemic treatments can be non-biological (oral tablets) or biological (injected medicines) and are normally only used to treat severe psoriasis cases, or when the other treatments have not worked. There are a number of different tablets available, but many can have serious side effects, so you should ensure you discuss your options with your GP. Examples of oral medication for psoriasis include Methotrexate, etc.

If you are worried you might be suffering from psoriasis or you know for a fact that you do have the skin condition, speak to your GP or a dermatologist about the options available to you.

How to look good not having to wear Makeup
1) Diet

We are going to start from the inside. A balanced and healthy diet is essential if you want to look good without makeup. There are so many foods that are good for your skin. Try some nettle and peppermint tea -the peppermint has healing and calming properties which are great for clearing up the skin and nettle leaves have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, helping to reduce any spots. Eat avocados, they will add to your skin's vitality and luminosity. Also drinking plenty of water is so important!
2) Exfoliation

Make sure to exfoliate to ensure that all the dead skin is removed, so you can show off that beautiful, clear, glowing skin.

3) Hydration

Soft hydrated skin is another way to make sure you have good skin and will take you one step closer to looking like a film star without makeup. Make sure your moisturiser has an SPF in it to protect you from those harsh and ageing sun rays, the Skinceutical SPF 50 or SPF skin brightening 30 is our pick. It will hydrate and protect your skin as well as helping reduce/prevent the signs of ageing.

4) Skin - Confidence

What Causes Dark Circles?
Top six causes of dark under-eye circles
There are many causes for this common problem so it is important to identify what is causing it for you personally so you can fix the problem from the root rather than just trying to cover it with makeup.
The first cause is “Overdoing it “This means the consumption of too much alcohol and cigarettes and poor food choices combined with a severe lack of sleep is a toxic combination. Too much alcohol and tobacco can cause dehydrated skin which makes the appearance of dark circles under your eyes more prominent.
Increased melanin in the skin also known as hyper-pigmentation is another cause for dark rings around the eye area. Unfortunately, hyper pigmentation is mainly a genetic problem so it is harder to treat and it is most commonly seen amongst people of Afro-American, Caribbean, Mediterranean or Hispanic descent. However, hyper pigmentation of the skin has also been linked to the use of oral contraceptives due to the hormones that they contain.
Fat loss beneath the eye is another factor in the formation of the dark circles under the eyes. The loss of fat beneath the eye area can create a look of hollowness under the eyes which creates a dark shadow. This is commonly caused by the natural process of aging or a genetic predisposition.
Ageing is one of the most natural causes of darkness under eyes. As we get older, the skin becomes naturally thinner and this reveals the blood vessels under the eyes and gives a dark and purple effect. This is made more prominent by the contrast between the colour of the skin on the cheeks and the dark circles under the eyes.
Sinus inflammation due to allergies.
Repeated irritation and inflammation of the eyes caused by allergic reactions also add to the problem of having dark skin under the eyes. These reactions are often made worse by rubbing the eyes to try and relieve the irritation which causes additional puffiness. Irritations are primarily caused by products that are harsh on the skin so it could be something in your skincare routine that is the main problem. It could also be an unknown allergy to things around you in daily life and so a patch test with a dermatologist is advisable.

Sensitive Skin Care
Sensitive skin is one of the most common skin conditions .But what is it? Sensitive skin is more of a skin condition than a skin type; it tends to be defined by dermatologists as when patients have particularly dry skin leading to reactions such as redness, pustules, bumps and sometimes erosions to the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body but the areas most commonly affected are the face, hands, arms and legs. Sensitive skin most often occurs where the skin's sebaceous glands are not producing enough sebum, meaning the skin does not have the protective layer of oil needed to stop it becoming sensitive. So the chances are if you have dry skin you are likely to have sensitive skin too.

If you do have sensitive skin, the good news is you are not alone. Not only does half of the population have the condition, but just like us, even the top celebrities are not immune to skin woes. The actress Cameron Diaz is reported to have said she has the “most sensitive skin in the entire world” and she is “always breaking out”.

Other celebrities with skin problems include Renee Zellweger, who is said to have rosacea, meaning she is often left red-faced after involuntary pink and red flushes occur across her face. Then there is Kim Kardashian who, never one to shy away from the limelight, famously suffers from psoriasis - a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes skin cells to rapidly pile up on the skin’s surface, resulting in thick, silvery scales or itchy red patches and let’s not forget the beautiful Kate Middleton who is said to suffer from eczema - the chronic, itchy inflammation of the skin that results in bumpy red patches.
Recognising the signs of sensitive skin
Sensitive skin comes in a number of different forms, meaning there are a variety of signs to look out for. One of the main symptoms of sensitive skin tends to be dry, flaky, tight or sore patches of skin - a clear sign that your skin is not producing enough oil.
Another common sign of sensitive skin is if you have patches of skin that appear blotchy and pink or red in colour.  Your skin may also be irritated and itchy in places, which could lead to painful rashes forming.
Broken veins, especially on the nose and cheeks, are usually caused by harsh weather conditions and could also signal sensitive skin. Also, if you feel a stinging or burning sensation on your skin when it comes into contact with direct heat or sunlight, this could be a further sign that you have sensitive skin.
Finally, skin inflammations could be another sign that your skin is sensitive. Inflammations such as acne, neurodermatitis and perioral dermatitis are the most common conditions associated with sensitive skin.
Causes of sensitive skin
The causes of sensitive skin fall into three categories: physical, chemical and biological. Physical causes refer to things like seasonal changes, exposure to harsh weather conditions or temperatures, radiation and certain clothing materials.
Chemical causes include medicines and cosmetics which contain certain irritating ingredients such as dyes, fragrances or other harsh substances. Did you know even a combination of water and dust can have sufficient chemical to cause sensitive skin?
Biological causes of sensitive skin include germs, infections, a poor diet, hereditary conditions and hormone imbalances.
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