My personal skin journey
I have always been lucky enough to have clear and healthy skin. I did not get many spots when I was younger, and I managed to get away with not needing make up or foundation to cover and hide blemishes or poor skin tone.
I was obsessed with using high factor SPF even in my 20s. I vaguely recall the skin cancer campaign which ran in the 90s ‘SKIN KNOW HOW’ and thinking how lucky we were not to be living in Australia but SPF was the only skin regime I had. (Ahead of the curve!)
However, a few years ago I developed an autoimmune skin condition, and this is one of the many reasons I feel so passionate about what I am doing at The Bespoke Clinic. I understand personally, how it can feel to have a disorder which can affect you so dramatically, both physically and psychologically.
I developed a condition called Lichen Planus. Lichen planus involves the immune system mistakenly attacking skin cells or mucous membranes, leading to the development of itchy, flat-topped bumps or lesions. The exact cause of lichen planus is not fully understood but in my case, it was almost certainly triggered by extreme stress.
My initial management was by way of topical emollients (moisturising creams), then topical steroid creams, before I was referred to see a dermatologist. The consultant tried Phototherapy (Light Therapy) which I attended the hospital for, three times a week, for what felt like a lifetime. It did not help.
My symptoms of itching and lack of sleep started to have a hugely negative impact on my emotional health. I tried to keep going as I knew the next step would be high dose oral steroids and then a disease modifying drug which would have an impact on my immune system in itself.
In the end, things got so bad that I had to take the advice of the specialist and I took the oral steroids. Within 3 days, I felt better. Steroids are an anti-inflammatory so all they were really doing was taking away the inflammation, which was necessary at the time, but I knew the root cause of the problem had not really been addressed.
As soon as I was on the steroids, was able to think clearly again and get some sleep, I knew I wanted to be off them! So, I embarked on further medical reading and learned all that I could about our immune system and what we could do to help ourselves. Basically, I did not EVER want to go through it again, I did NOT want the steroids even though they helped and I wanted to BETTER UNDERSTAND the why.
I researched gut health and regimes which could help with addressing the gut microbiome.
There were many scientific research papers, maybe not in well recognised UK journals, but a lot internationally at the time, talking about the impact of pre and probiotics and digestive enzymes on autoimmune conditions. I felt I was already doing what I could nutritionally through food. I then investigated where I could obtain the highest quality supplements from, what ingredients they had in them, what the source of those were and what research they had done to support their product.
I found a company based in the USA, and decided they were the gut supplements I wanted.
With the stress I had been under prior to the skin condition developing, I was already looking after myself more than I had in the past. I continued to engage in Yoga, breathing exercises, time restricted eating, nutritional foods, trained at the gym. I used high quality essential oils, topically, diffused and ingested. I also engaged with my conventional medical treatment of the Prednisolone steroids, and Sertraline.
I was able to wean off my steroids, sooner than anticipated, I dodged the need to go on another medication to dampen my immune response. In my opinion, and from my own doctor experience, I felt the results of the additional holistic interventions I took were remarkable.
My skin is almost back to normal. Even several years down the line, I have some hyperpigmentation (darkened skin lesions) and scarring but you would not notice!
I remain on my gut supplements and continue to self–care. I must admit, I am not as avid about it as I was, but I do know the need to look after yourself fully and as a priority and I hope I am able to help you do the same.
Neet
Related Posts
