Cosmetic Surgery and Beauty Magazine #68

feature
EIS FOR ECZEMA
A form of dermatitis, eczema is the infl ammation of the skin’s outer
layer, resulting in rashes that can exhibit dryness, redness, swelling,
crusting and fl aking. These symptoms can cause itchiness, oozing
infection and bleeding, which sometimes leads to scarring.
With no known cause, some researchers speculate limited exposure to
environmental pathogens as a child can lead to a heightened susceptibility
to eczema. Authors of a 2005 study into the so-called hygiene hypothesis
Flohr, Pascoe and Williams urge caution in prescribing antibiotics to children,
particularly those with a family history of atopic dermatitis, or eczema. Others
speculate eczema may be triggered by an allergic reaction after exposure to
proteins in meat or vegetables, whilst some researchers speculate eczema
may be linked to dust mites and celiac disease.
With no single causal factor, eczema cannot be ‘cured’ but the skin
irritations can be managed. Once again an array of home remedies have been
put forward to reduce infl ammation, and certainly modifying your diet and
exposure to certain irritants can go lengths in achieving relief from eczema
symptoms.
A study by Hoare, Li Wan Po and Williams found the use of
immunosuppressant medication, corticosteroid creams (using chemicals
that resemble steroid hormones produced in the body) and ultraviolet light
therapy were most effective in eczema treatment.
GIS FOR GLYCATION
If you indulge in sugary delights, you’re
probably fully aware of the havoc it will reap on
your hips and waistline, yet as sugar bombards
your system your skin can suffer too. Glycation
presents itself as aged skin, leading to cross-hatched
wrinkles on the chin and around the eyes. It is caused by the
bonding of sugar molecules onto protein or lipid molecules
without the controlling action of an enzyme. The end result
is an abundance of ‘advanced glycation end products’, or
AGEs, which stiffen and weaken the collagen and elastin in
our skin. When this happens, the elasticity, plumpness and
youthfulness of skin deteriorate, and the telltale fi ne lines
start to appear.
To a certain extent, glycation is inevitable, as AGEs will
exist in even the cleanest of diets. To slow the process, you
can avoid foods that include pre-formed AGEs, caused by
cooking sugar alongside protein or fat. ‘Browned’ products
like chips and baked goods achieve their colour through
dietary glycations, while soft drinks and caramelised
treats also contain the pre-formed toxins. To help ward
off glycation’s effect on the skin, many cosmetic skincare
ranges include antiglycation agents. Retinoids promote
new collagen formation to eradicate the damage caused
by sugar, and pharmaceutical companies are working on
products to break the AGE cross-links after they’re formed.
66 www.cosbeauty.com.au