Let's Talk About Eczema

 So, what exactly is eczema? Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that people struggle with and there are many triggers to the severity of this skin condition. It's a very common condition in childhood and most people outgrow it as they go into adulthood. This is not always the case for all as some people have this persistently throughout their lives.

One of the best things you can do (as an aesthetician)  is to be proactive by understanding the various triggers and how you can work with your clients to avoid these triggers. One of the most challenging things is the ‘absorbability’ issue with products because the condition creates a thicker layer of keratinized cells clients often complain about. It doesn't matter how much cream they put on, they never seem to get that satiety in their skin.

This is where I love to utilize tools such as enzyme treatments to help with the corneocyte turnover while being a very delicate treatment without using chemicals (which can be an aggravator). The ingredients our enzyme treatment product applied superficially to the surface of the skin with eczema and because it has an affinity with the skin, the body doesn't see it as foreign. Try to imagine it as if you have a condition like eczema, your skin is in a constant fight or flight mode because it's trying to protect you from the outside elements. So, in turn, it's going to fight off allergens and pathogens coming into contact with the skin. Since the skin is in defensive mode, a skin suffering from eczema is easily inflamed and aggravated. Give the skin something that has an affinity with the skin, and you're going to yield much better results. This is why I prefer a corneotherpautic approach to treat skin barrier disordered conditions like eczema.

Here are a few of the most common triggers that I see with clients that have eczema:

Stress & Anxiety:

I notice that clients who have eczema are also likely to have a high degree of anxiety in their lives. These clients get flares much more frequently if they're not controlling their anxiety, negatively impacting the condition of their skin. I really like the opportunity that I have to help my clients understand how important it is to care for themselves, take a break, and do what they can to manage their anxiety triggers.

Environmental:

Environmental factors are a big one, especially with the many seasons we face in Canada. For example, in the springtime there's a lot of pollen in the air and when the colder weather comes in, the skin is already compromised from these seasonal changes and will usually get worse over the winter months. This is why in the early fall I'm onto my clients about stepping up their skincare game because if I don't and lose traction at this juncture, it's going to be much harder to get headway in the middle of the winter months.

Nutrition:

Nutrition is another big one that I commonly see. Clients who are on low fat diets tend to have eczema present as a condition. I recommend good omega supplementation in their diets, but also having omega 3 essential fatty acids present in the skincare products that they are using.

We are definitely moving into winter... so remember that your clients are already compromised. I recommend keeping an eye out for this in the coming months when that first cold snap hits as you are going to get phone calls about a cheap, flaky, irritated skin. So be prepared, stock up on those liquid rich products that I know that you have. Look at the ingredients instead of the label and help your clients to control these super annoying effects from the condition.

What is your go to treatments to help clients combat dry skin concerns in the winter months? 

*Originally Published on www.reneserbon.com