CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF REDNESS

Redness-prone and sensitised skin is a very common concern - especially over the winter months. Overly flushed cheeks and sensitivity can be difficult to manage and can even alter skin texture, leaving an uneven complexion. 

Read on to learn more about the causes and prevention of redness and inflammation. 

THE SKIN SCIENCE BIT

The skin’s upper layer has a natural protective barrier formed from lipids (oils) and skin cells. Skin cells are packed like bricks with lipids acting as their mortar. This structure helps to stop irritants and aggressors getting into the skin and also prevents water from escaping. This keeps the complexion healthy and hydrated. When the skin’s barrier is impaired, it allows irritants easy access to the sensitive nerve endings just below the skin’s surface, which can cause inflammation and redness.

THE CAUSES

Inflammation is the root cause of redness, this can be caused by a number of factors. If you have sensitised skin, your inflammation and redness may be caused by lifestyle or environment. Harsh skin care products, over-exfoliation and excessive use of acids may be contributing to an impaired skin barrier, leaving you under-protected. In addition to this, other factors such as pollution, alcohol, smoking, dehydration, stress, hormones and weather changes may be having a big impact on your skin.

If you have sensitive skin, your inflammation may be genetic. Truly sensitive skin is inherited and normally leaves you prone to blushing and allergies, the skin being fundamentally reactive due to genetic immune response triggers. Sensitive skin differs from sensitised skin, which is much easier to manage and does not have genetic links. Most people's skin is sensitised not sensitive. 

PREVENTION + TREATMENT

Our comprehensive approach to tackling redness treats the root cause as well as the facial manifestation. Combining Naturopathy, Dermal Therapies and targeted Medik8 Skincare, we aim to rebuild the skin’s natural lipid barrier, strengthen the blood vessels and calm inflammation and excessive immune response. Give us a call to organize an Initial Skin Consultation.