Common Skin Ailments

The skin is an amazing organ that is much more complicated than we often realize. Whether you believe in creation or evolution or anything in between, you must admit that the skin is absolutely fascinating in its function and its appearance.

But if the skin is so amazing, why does it get so many blemishes and why are we plagued with so many problems? From acne to wrinkles to rashes and scars, the skin is not without it own problems. Some of these problems are just genetic - there are some that are constantly prone to rashes and eczema while others seem to have never had a rash in their life - while others are the result of what we do ourselves to irritate the skin. This also means that some are more treatable than others.

Acne.

Acne is probably one of the most common skin ailments there is, and unlike what many people think it's not some teenage disease that you just grow out of. Many adults suffer from acne and sometime severe forms of this condition to the point of scarring.

What is also unfortunate is that very often people do things to cause their own breakouts or to make them worse than they need to be. Sometimes a few simple changes to one's routine and skincare habits can clear up acne for good.

Most people think that acne is caused by dirt and oil on the face; this is actually only partially true. Everyone has dirt and oil on their face but not everyone gets acne. What is really happening during breakouts is that this dirt and oil gets trapped under the skin which doesn't break or open up the way skin normally does. It's this lack of breakage of the skin or when the pores are overloaded with oil and dirt so that it has nowhere to go that acne happens.

Keeping your skin clean is of course important in the prevention of acne but one common mistake that many make is to clean their skin too often or with products that are too harsh. This causes the oil glands to go into overdrive to compensate and then the face has more oil than before.

Usually a good routine of gentle cleansing, exfoliating once or twice per week, and moisturizing is good to keep acne at bay. Topical treatments should be applied only on the breakouts and nowhere else on the skin as this can cause excess dryness.

Wrinkles and lines.

The skin has natural ingredients or elements that help it to retain its shape; collagen and elastin, as we've just mentioned, are two such elements. Usually as a person ages these elements break down and are not produced as easily. The oil glands also slow down their production of oils that keep the skin soft and smooth.

When this happens the skin begins to retain every little movement and crease that normally would go away. When we smile, frown, raise our eyebrows, or make any other facial movement the skin on the face should immediately bounce right back into place but when collagen and elastin are compromised the skin instead holds these small indentations and creases, and we have what we call lines and wrinkles.

The solution is not to stop talking or smiling. Since its typically a lack of moisture that causes this condition on the face, it's very important to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized from the inside and the outside. Drinking plenty of water and moisturizing the face will help to at least reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Exfoliating once or twice per week will also help to minimize this problem.

Other common skin problems.

There are many common skin problems that a person might get, including rashes, dandruff, warts, and even ingrown hairs.

Sometimes these things are brought on just by the body itself. Some people have oil glands that just aren't as active as others, causing the skin to be dry. Others have very sensitive skin which dries up and flakes away when irritated; this is often the cause of dandruff and eczema. And of course allergies can cause all sorts of skin ailments.

Understanding the cause of the problem is always the first step toward addressing it and preventing it. If you know that you're allergic to some harsh chemical used in most detergents, you can switch to something that's hypoallergenic or something meant for babies which is usually gentler on the skin. You can avoid many soaps and use those that are specifically advertised as being gentle. Adding moisture back onto the skin can also help with many conditions, as will avoiding scratching and irritating it further.

If you think about all the things we put our skin through every day, it's no wonder that it gets irritated at times. We shave it, scratch it, expose it to harsh pollutants and chemicals in so-called skincare products, and keep it brushed up against rough fabrics. On top of which we often fail to hydrate ourselves by getting enough water to drink and don't eat the proper foods to nourish it as well!

So it's no wonder that we often have problems with our skin, but sometimes just making a few changes can solve or address those problems.