How to repair damaged skin with ayurvedic remedies
How to repair damaged skin with ayurvedic remedies
Do you frequently experience acne, redness, or spots on your skin These signs may indicate unhealthy or damaged skin.
An unhealthy lifestyle, environmental influences, stress or regular use of makeup affect the health of our skin, which ultimately leads to its damage. However, Ayurveda talks about natural remedies that help restore damaged skin.
In this article, we help you understand what damaged skin is, its various properties, and the best ways to restore it.
What does damaged skin mean
Your skin is made up of two things: skin cells (the building blocks of the skin wall) and the lipid matrix (the cement that holds the bricks together). When the cement becomes weak and cracks and gaps occur, it becomes unable to hold the bricks together. It is also unable to keep germs and allergens away, which leads to skin damage.
Our skin goes through a lot every day. Natural conditions or environmental factors, exposure to pollution, sun damage and other harmful chemicals for a long period of time, damages the molecular structure of the skin and leads to hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles.
There are some triggers that can lead to skin damage:
Intrinsic triggers: most intrinsic triggers for skin damage start from genetic causes. These are the triggers you were born with and you cannot control when they appear or the level of damage they can do. You can have dull skin from a slow cell renewal rate, hyperpigmentation due to uneven melanin production, or fine lines and wrinkles due to an imbalance in the sebaceous glands.
External stimuli: external stimuli can be controlled by you before they cause any serious harm to your skin. These depend on your lifestyle habits and your environment. If you have an unhealthy lifestyle or have been exposed to harmful pollutants and ultraviolet rays, the chances of damage to your skin are high.
Why the cutaneous barrier is important
Your skin barrier helps restore the natural quality of your skin and protect it from harmful external stimuli. It not only protects the body from harmful toxins and environmental toxins such as chemical dyes, industrial wastewater, arsenic, etc., but also prevents unnecessary water loss from the body and keeps natural moisture intact.
If your skin barrier does not retain the required amount of water or moisture, it will become dry, rough, flaky, dry, lose all its glow and shine.
Damaged skin tries to heal itself by forming scar tissue. Scar tissue differs from normal skin tissue in that it does not have any hair or sweat glands.
Ayurvedic view of damaged skin
Ayurveda describes skin damage as a result of not maintaining the three doshas. This may also be the result of improper diet and lifestyle problems. Each dosha of the skin gives rise to some skin problems that can damage the skin. An imbalance in vata dosha can make your skin rough and cause wrinkles and signs of premature aging.
If your skin is dominant or sensitive, certain chemicals and allergens can lead to burning and redness of your skin, acne and hyperpigmentation. Ayurveda also states that a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the formation of ama or toxins that can harm your skin.
"Vikriti (disease), is a deviation from the inherent Prakriti (natural formation). The skin is the first barrier between our environment and our body. This first line of defense is highly vulnerable to damage from internal and external stresses “ " says Dr. Zil Gandhi, chief Ayurvedic physician, FedEx
What causes skin damage
1. Excessive exposure to sunlight
Excessive sun exposure causes the most damage to your skin. The sun's Rays destroy the elasticity of your skin and disrupt collagen production, which leads to early signs of aging and pigmentation. Ultraviolet radiation can also cause life-threatening diseases such as skin cancer.
2. Improper diet and dehydration
According to Ayurveda experts, your diet and daily water intake is one of the main factors determining the health of your skin. Be sure to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, especially vitamin C, to get glowing and healthy skin. Also as an adult, you should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to maintain healthy skin cells because water is the main component that makes up cells. Especially if you have dry or vata-dominated skin, you need to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.
3. Smoking and drinking alcohol
Alcohol and cigarette consumption can affect the health of your skin. Smoking clogs blood vessels and limits oxygen supply, and a lack of oxygen leads to sagging skin and darkening of the lips. Drinking alcohol dehydrates the body and skin, thereby causing acne and stretch marks.
4. Chemicals
Even things that you use daily such as soap or detergent can also irritate your skin and cause damage. Furthermore, severe chemical irritants that are used in factories can cause dermatitis if you are exposed to them frequently.
5. Acne;
Acne on your skin can appear in many forms such as whiteheads, blackheads, abscesses, and pimples. Almost all of them, especially pimples and cysts, can leave stubborn scars if they are not treated correctly and in a timely manner. To prevent acne from appearing, you should keep yourself sufficiently hydrated, avoid fatty foods and exercise enough to sweat naturally.
6. Eczema
This is a severe skin condition that causes itching, redness, and flaking of the skin. This is a chronic skin condition that cannot be avoided and can be treated with Ayurvedic and therapeutic solutions. When children develop eczema, it is usually a type of eczema known as atopic dermatitis. This type of eczema usually begins at the age of five.
7. Psoriasis
This is also a skin condition that makes your skin not scaly and scaly. It occurs around areas of your body that flex such as elbows and knees.
8. Environmental conditions
The environment you live in is also a major factor behind the damage to your skin. If you are regularly exposed to very dry and cold weather, this can cause damage to the skin. Exposure to hot and humid weather conditions can trigger acne. Likewise, frequent exposure to pollution and chemicals can trigger hyperpigmentation.
Signs and symptoms of skin damage
- Chronic irritation of your skin.
- Itching
- The appearance of your skin looks dry and dull.
- Hyperpigmented skin.
- Skin infections.
- Wounds and bruises take longer to heal.
What are the different types of skin damage
1. Tanning
Suntan is one of the most common types of skin damage that results from exposure to sunlight. When you have a tan, it means that your skin is changing at the molecular level. Also, if you have a dominant or sensitive skin of Kaph, then most likely your skin tone will be brighter than others, but any kind of tan, whether temporary or permanent, is unhealthy.
2. Sunburn
It is a type of thermal burn that occurs on the outer layer of your skin after years of direct exposure to ultraviolet rays. If the sunburn is severe it causes redness, deep tissue damage, blisters and can also lead to skin cancer.
3. Freckles
They are brown spots that appear on the face or other parts of the body that are exposed to sunlight.
4. Cost
These are hyperpigmented asymmetrical spots that appear on your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin. They can be caused by external factors or hormonal shifts.
5. Skin cancer
It is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Its symptom is a dark brown or black mole with an irregular color.
6. Brown's disease
It is also a form of skin cancer that appears on the surface of the skin. It is usually a scaly or scaly spot on the exposed parts of your skin and has a red / brown color. This type of skin cancer can be cured if you undergo surgical treatment.
7. Actinic keratosis
Keratinization causes rough, scaly patches to appear on your skin. Actinic cheilitis is another form of keratinization that appears specifically on your lower lips causing chapped lips and dark brown spots on them.
8. Drying
Exposure to harsh chemicals for a long period of time can remove the natural oils from your skin making it very dry.
9. Irritation
Apart from making your skin dry, some chemicals cause the skin to become red, dry, and crack on contact. This can be caused by fiberglass, soap, oils / cutting fluids, solvents.
10. Corrosion
Some chemicals and irritants also cause corrosion and can cause severe irreparable harm to your skin. You can also have a chemical burn from strong corrosive acids.
11. Chlorine
Acne or acne caused by chlorine occurs when your skin is repeatedly exposed to chlorine compounds and certain pesticides.
How to treat damaged skin
How to repair damaged skin with ayurvedic remedies
1. Natural methods
Cacti
Aloe vera works like a charm on sunburn. Soothes itchy spots caused by sun damage on your skin. Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory, heals wounds and naturally moisturizes your skin.
Lavender
The oil extracted from lavender plants has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It helps treat skin irritation and redness caused by skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. It also helps in wound healing and is one of the most used products in skin care products these days.
Shea butter
Shea butter is the natural solution to hydrate and moisturize your skin. The fatty acids contained in shea butter have regenerating properties and help reduce scars. It also reduces the signs of premature aging and makes your skin radiant.
Jojoba
Like lavender oil, jojoba also has anti-irritant properties and can soothe itchy spots caused by eczema and psoriasis. It also moisturizes and heals skin damage in general.
Vitamin C
Skin care products containing vitamin C work wonders at the early signs of aging. Vitamin C also helps exfoliate, moisturize and brighten the skin. Vitamin C also helps with acne scars and dermatitis. Vitamin C is an antibacterial collagen agent, so eating foods rich in vitamin C can provide your skin with nutrients that can treat skin damage.
Snow
You can rub ice to soothe inflamed and irritated skin. Ice cubes have been used in the treatment of sunburn, wounds and bruises for ages. Ice soothes the skin, and if you soak the water you use to make ice, with rose water, aloe vera gel, or cucumber juice, it makes it even more beneficial for your skin problems such as spots under the eyes, dryness, etc.
2. Lifestyle habits
- Keeping the body hydrated is the most important step towards having healthy skin. Especially when you have skin damage, your skin needs more water than usual. Lack of water in the body can worsen your condition.
- Regular exercise is also important. Natural sweating through exercise prevents clogged pores and deeply cleanses your skin from the inside. Exercise also regulates healthy blood circulation and takes the nutrients necessary for your skin.
- Exfoliating is one of the most important things you can do to repair damaged skin. Exfoliation unclogs pores and removes debris of dead skin cells from your face and body. This helps your body to regenerate quickly and produce more collagen.
- Protect your skin from sunlight. If you live in an environment where you are frequently exposed to harsh sunlight, you need to be careful. Wear long-sleeved clothes and cover up as much as possible every time you go out. Apply sunscreen indoors and outdoors.
- Detoxify your skin by drinking herbal teas regularly. Sometimes, your diet can also cause skin damage if it contains too much oil, spices, or carbohydrates. Herbal tea with cinnamon, fennel, ginger, etc.promotes digestion and cleanses your skin from the inside.
buty-care advice:
To avoid dehydration, take a 5-minute shower throughout the day and bathe in cool water. Also avoid using soap, and instead use gentle, dye-free cleaning products.
3. Ayurvedic treatments
Sandalwood: if you have skin problems caused by an imbalance of beta and Kapha doshas, sandalwood is the best solution for you. To treat acne, lighten your skin tone, treat blemishes and rashes that cause itching.
Turmeric: turmeric is a miracle herb in Ayurveda. It has antibacterial and anti-aging properties and is an excellent antiseptic for blood. It soothes and moisturizes almost all skin types and also helps to remove tan.
Saffron: this rare and expensive herb has been used in the northern region of India for ages by Ayurvedic experts to whiten the skin and treat hyperpigmentation. You can mix it with milk and olive oil and apply it on your skin for better results.
Kumkumadi oil: more commonly known as Kumkumadi Thailam in Ayurveda, this Ayurvedic oil works wonders for skin-related problems. It consists of saffron mixed with other natural ingredients and has therapeutic and cosmetic benefits. It can be used as a natural toner, cleanser and moisturizer.
Winsoria Oil: this Ayurvedic mixture is an excellent ingredient for the treatment of psoriasis. It helps reduce the symptoms of keratinization, inflammation, skin peeling and discoloration. Winsoria oil mixed with coconut oil also works great for treating itchy skin and sores. Even people with allergies can benefit from this oil.
4. The diet
Fish
Include fatty fish in your diet. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep the skin supple, hydrated and soft. Fatty fish also helps reduce skin inflammation, redness of the skin and acne marks. It also makes your skin less susceptible to UV rays.
Walnuts
Walnuts are also rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids compared to other nuts. They help reduce the symptoms of psoriasis.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, which turns your skin into a shield against ultraviolet rays. Tomatoes also contain carotenoids, which keep your skin healthy.
Sunflower seeds
One ounce or 28 grams of sunflower seeds contains 37% vitamin E RDI, 32% selenium RDI, 10% Zinc RDI and 5.4 grams of protein. It helps prevent the appearance of any signs of premature aging.
Avoid dairy products
Consuming too many dairy products causes your skin to become dehydrated. If your consumption of dominant or skin-sensitive dairy products can worsen the health of your skin.
Tips for restoring damaged skin
- Laser peeling: this clinical process uses the energy of light and heat to even out and soften the skin and treat hyperpigmentation.
- Chemical peeling: this treatment involves the use of non-toxic acidic chemical solutions to exfoliate your skin.
- Dermabrasion: this treatment involves clinically exfoliating your skin using a metal wire tip or diamond tip, to reveal new glowing skin.
- Fillers: collagen and hyaluronic acid are injected into your skin to treat deep lines and wrinkles.
Frequently asked questions about damaged skin
1. How long does it take to repair damaged skin?
On average, an adult's skin takes about 28 to 42 days to repair itself with the help of natural and clinical treatments. If you are 50 years old or older, this process can take up to 84 days.
2. Can damaged skin repair itself?
Unless it is a minor wound or a temporary Tan, most skin damage cannot repair itself. You will need to consult a dermatologist and undergo a treatment process or ayurvedic treatment to heal your skin from damage.
Conclusion
It is very important to determine your skin type and then consult a dermatologist or ayurvedic expert before applying any of the above remedies at home. Although you don't need a doctor to tell you that you need to stay hydrated, we can assure you that this is the best thing for your healthy skin.