Korean Job Discussion Forums

[pangaea]

I have been here less than 2 weeks but I have noticed my skin looks terrible! I have never really had an acne problem, but my skin is breaking out, mainly on and around my nose but in other places also. What the hell? At first I thought it could be stress, but it doesn't seem to be letting up. Is there something in the air here? My skin looks worse than it ever did when I was a teenager! At my age, I should be worried about wrinkles, not acne! I don't have the energy to worry about both! Any recommendations? I take off my makeup at night and wash with the Face Shop aloe cleanser. I don't know what to do. I have sensitive skin so strong products like Clearasil will only dry out and irritate my skin. If someone can suggest some remedies for this, I and my pizza face will thank you.

[NYC_Gal]

Steam your skin. Use an astringent if you can find one. Pore strips can be cut and put all over trouble areas. Use a peely pore mask as well. I hope it helps!

[Globutron]

I've had heavy acne my whole life, and look who's laughing now?? My skin is the same after 4 months *evil laugh*

[pangaea]

Globutron wrote:

[moosehead]

you just said you've been here less than 2 weeks - it takes a LOT longer for your body to become accustomed to the time change and other factors so yes, it probably is stress and hormones.

if you've found Face Shop, try some of their masks, not the cream kind but the kind that look sort of like a cloth, they unwrap and you place on your face with eye holes and mouth cut out. they are a little more expensive, but very very nice. the rose one is my favorite.

make sure you drink lots of water, try alcohol (on your skin) if clearasail is too harsh, blot, don't rub. no smoking also. extra sleep if possible.

I'm sure you'll be ok in a few weeks, hang in there. an ice cube will also help if you're red and swollen.

[brento1138]

Aside from buying stuff from the face shop (good advice) try increasing your intake of vitamins via eating fruit and veggies. I eat a cucumber once a day and that seems to be doing something. Also, try aloe juice.

I went to "Nature Republic" and bought their 3-in-1 skin moisturizer stuff called Africa Bird. It works very well... you'll notice results for sure.

[Mariella713]

[noraebang]

Acne is a product of a series of hormonal changes that are influenced by diet. One of the main factors is a condition in the body called hyperinsulinemia (constantly high insulin levels) which causes an increase in androgens (which raise sebum production) and increases in IGF-1 with corresponding decreases in IGF-1 binding proteins. Increased levels of IGF-1 in susceptible people cause a hyperprolifteration of keratinocytes--your basal skin cell layer--which tends to make them slough off improperly once they reach the surface. These skin cells that hang around too long end up covering a pore, allowing it to fill with sebum and create ripe conditions for the acne bacteria to invade.

Work on eating low glycemic index carbohydrates (such as vegetables, occasional sweet potatoes, starchy fruits) and replace traditional starches and dairy by increasing your fat intake in order to avoid hyperinsulinemia. I would recommend you do not increase omega-6 polyunsaturated fat intake since it may cause an increase in the inflammation of your acne. Increase your omega-3 polyunsaturated fat intake with fatty acids such as DHA and EPA by eating seafood or taking fish oil supplements. A proper omega-3 to omega-6 ratio will lower inflammation--and if you eat the Standard American Diet (SAD) you definitely have too much omega 6 and too little omega 3.

The last thing you may want to do is increase your zinc levels for the next 30 days. Most people with acne are deficient in zinc, and there is an important enzyme called ZAG which keeps skin cell desmosomes adhering properly that requires adequate zinc to operate. I would recommend eating oysters which are extremely high in zinc, or chicken liver, but if neither of those sound appetizing to you, try a supplement. I don't recommend supplementing with zinc for a long time because you could cause a copper deficiency.

So I have recommend a few things here:

Replace high glycemic index and high glycemic load carbohydrates (such as rice, pasta, potato, bread, dairy) with vegetables, some tubers, and starchy fruits as your carb source. Dairy is not high on the glycemic index but it is perplexingly high on the insulin index which is why I included it.

Since those foods are low in calories and you may find yourself hungrier, eat a bit of extra fat from sources such as coconut oil, cocoa butter, real butter, extra virgin olive oil, or other oils low in polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Also supplement with an omega 3 supplement containing DHA and EPA, such as fish oil or krill oil. This will help with inflammation.

In 30 days you will begin to see your skin improve. This is the time it takes for the basal layer keratinocytes to reach the surface. In other words, what you eat today won't show up until 30 days later because your skin cells are constantly moving upward and refreshing themselves over time.

If you're wondering where I got my information from, I personally suffered with acne for nearly a decade. I was prescribed the strongest of drugs from dermatologists that only slightly improved my condition yet I still suffered. I set out to find out if there was a link between the hormones that cause the proximal causes of acne, and the diets we eat today. What especially interested me were studies of traditionally living hunter gatherer populations which had groups of adolescents with not even a single papule. This was reversed when these races moved to industrialized cities and took on the Western diet. I have been free of acne for several years now by eating a diet like this, and have helped my girlfriend and others do the same.

[ChilgokBlackHole]

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=179572

http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=180957

Please search.

[Captain Corea]

That was a very imformative post, noraebang.

OP, I experienced the same thing for the first year I lived here.

[NYC_Gal]

I had my sister send me some proactiv sulfur mask, and use that as an overnight spot cream when I need it. You may be able to find the equivalent here.

[Senior]

Why has no one told the OP to see a dermatologist? Home spun remedies are all well and good, but they can't beat a real doctor actually looking at the problem.

I went to the dermatologist 3 times last month for some dermatitis. He studied at Seoul University as well as in the States. He spoke perfect English and was kind and personable.

It cost 2600won per appointment(X3). And the prescription cost 1900won(X2). I now have relatively clear skin and am not any poorer for it.

[NYC_Gal]

I went to a dermatologist for dermatitis about 2 months ago.

Sure, a dermatologist is a good idea if these remedies don't work after 2 weeks. A dermatologist will likely prescribe something Retin-A based. If they try to give you accutane, RUN! My friend took that stuff and went NUTS.

Usually, for acne, home remedies, if followed exactly, will work. Retin-A will help, but will make you extremely sensitive. I used it in high school, so I'm sure they've improved it some since.

Do you have any friends who could recommend a facialist?

[caribmon]

Acne is caused by physical dirtyness and mental feeling of dirtyness. Tiny tumors form, excrete oil, then pus, then swell red, then go away when physical or mental dirtyness is gone.

Food has nothing to do with it.

You cannot eat omega 3s and fancy herbal nonsense to get rid of acne.

The only way to get rid of it is to stop looking in the mirror and stop poking at the zits. 5 days, Boom! you have clear skin.

Try it, guaranteed to work. Just stop poking and stop looking at it. It's free.

[NYC_Gal]