why is my skin so bad?

Question

I have given up smoking after 13 years! It has been 4 weeks and my skin has gradually got worse! I have dry patches and a few spots, is it because my skin no longer has the toxins in and is cleansing it self? Would a facial help to rejuvinate it and maybe clear it up a little?

Answer 1

You need to flush your system - the toxins from the smoking are trying to exit the body and they will likely go to the skin. Drink LOTS of water, it will help remove the toxins and hydrate you. Don't do a facial yet, it could pull more of the junk up to the surface - best to flush, or go to a health food store and get some detox tea to speed up the process.

Answer 2

Dry skin can often cause acne or pimples to appear due to irritation of the skin. The dry skin is probably an effect of you quitting smoking, however smoking is even worse for your skin.

What type of pimples are you getting? If you are getting pustles (inflammed pimples with a whitehead) then that is because your skin has an overproduction of the P Acnes bateria that causes acne to be inflammed and your dry skin is encouraging it. The only way to control these types of pimples is through Benzoyl Peroxide (which I wouldnt recommend because your skin is so dry and this will only make it more dry), antibiotics (Doxycycline, Tetracycline, Minocycline 100-200mg a day) which you need to get a prescription from your doctor for or a topical retinod (Differin, Retin-A, Tazorac) which you also need a prescription from your doctor for. A topical retinod and antibiotic are a good combination.

If you are getting cysts or nodules (hard or soft lumps that have no head or never come to a head) then that is caused by hormonal flucuations or genetics which can only be cured by Accutane, which you will need a referral to a derm for.

Facials are unlikely to help your condition at all. Facials usually involve steaming the face (which worsens acne through irritation and doesnt help because pores are open anyway) and applying a mask of some sort which can either help or worsen the condition.

My advice to start with:

1) Use a gentle cleanser, usually gel based. Avoid Clearsil and any cleanser that contains Sodium Laurel Sulfate. Follow with a good moisturiser that is non-comodegenic. Moisturisers with glycolic acid in it can be very helpful. Just remember to check out the ingredients very carefully. You can go to this site http://www.zerozits.com/Articles/acnedetect.htm to see what ingredients are bad for your skin. Give this a go for four weeks to six weeks.

2) If your condition is only worsening, see your local GP and get a prescription for a antibiotic and retinod. These two items are likely to make your acne worsen between the 2-6 week mark but after that it will improve 100%. If you are going on an antibiotic, you will need 100mg-200mg a day to see a difference (if your doc tells you to take 50mg a day then they have no idea what they are talking about!). Choose your doctor carefully and make sure they have some knowledge about skin care. Give this 12 weeks to work.

3) If you condition is still worsening after 12 weeks, get a referral to your dermatologist from your GP.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Congratulations on quitting!

You may notice several new changes over the next few weeks - you may find you start sweating a lot, your skin can get quite oily/patchy and you may get more spots/patches. You may also find you start getting flu like symptoms, or even develop a bad cough or chest infection. This is all part of the body doing a bit of a spring clean, and it can take about three or four weeks to finish the process. Stick with it. A facial sounds like a great idea - you could arrange one weekly for the next few weeks with the money you've saved on cigarettes!
Keep up the good work!

Answer 4

I can't tell you why it is happening, although if you are stressing then that won't help it.
Go online to www.perfectskindirect.co.uk and get a consultation (its free) for Dermologica products. They are really good, they should send you some free samples for you to try. Dermologica is the skin care system researched and developed by The International Dermal Institute. Known worldwide as the "professionals' choice". Give it a go. Good luck

Answer 5

Try the cleansers and moisturisers made by philosophy. Their stuff is amazing! The cleanser is called purity made simple and the moisturiser is called hope in a jar. LOVE IT! and congrats on quitting smoking. Sucks that you are having skin troubles but I bet you are right, I bet your body is trying to cleans itself of the toxins. You could try some cleansing fasts also???
http://www.philosophy.com/web/store/category_10001_10001_-1_23503_Y

Answer 6

Have you had your thyroid checked? Just a thought. Congratulations on quitting. AVON has a product line called, ANEW. It's awesome. The retroactive cream does great things for your skin. You can purchase it on eBay for better prices than buying from a dealer. Best Wishes.

Answer 7

yes probably because of the smoking well as a science student i suggest u to try CETAPHIL it is a lovely medical soap for bad skin....and wash ur face to keep it wet use expholiating shower gel which will keep ur skin fresh... and always use a bit of baby oil on ur face wich will make it betta

Answer 8

it is because your white. :D My dwindled Irish chum burns 10 minutes after she's outdoors interior the sunlight, and that is even as she's wearing sunblock. i began guffawing even as she became strolling in the route of me with actually a red face and neck. Erm i'm getting blemishes even as i'm less than pressure and on my era, yet i do not burn, i am going to lay interior the sunlight for hours, and tan instantly away. i recognize you had to maintain in mind that. I ought to in all likelihood commence wearing sunblock, i do not go with to age. :D

Answer 9

You definitely have a dry skin problem. Why not see a dermatologist?

Answer 10

Never know untill you try it!! No one could really tell you the true awser to that because everyone's skin is dif.. Try it!!