Your BRAIN and your SKIN

THE SKIN SOLUTION

Brain Signals to Soothe and Smooth Your Skin

The health of your skin is an outside reflection of the health of your brain.

by  Daniel G. Amen, M.D.

On a rare, sunny, glorious, fall day in Seattle, my friend Cynthia, whom I had known for the past twelve years, greeted me at the front entrance of the lecture hall. Cynthia was the founder of ADD Resources, a support group for people and families affected by attention deficit disorder. I had spoken to her group many times. Cynthia, who has ADD herself, is famous for saying exactly what is on her mind. You always know what Cynthia is thinking. As I hugged her hello, she said, "I have to know what you are taking. Your skin is beautiful."

I blushed. "Fish oil and sleep," I said.

"That's it," she said.

"That is a big part of it," I replied. "Plus, I eat a brain-healthy diet, exercise, don't believe every stupid thought that comes into my head, and deal with the stress in my life without caffeine or alcohol."

The health of your skin is directly tied to the health of your brain. People, especially wqmen, spend so much time and money working on their skin, when the first organ you want to take care of to have great-looking skin is your brain. The cosmetics counter, the dermatologist, the plastic surgeon— this is where you run when you want to reverse the aging process. But skin-care products, laser treatments, and the scalpel are often only temporary fixes. The real fix lies in your brain. It is your brain that tells your skin to produce more or less oil. It is your brain that supervises the production of supportive collagen. And it is your brain at the command post of skin-cell regeneration. We all need to stop minking about skin care from the outside in and start thanking about it from the inside out.

While writing this book, I went to my father's eightieth-birthday party. Two of my childhood friends were there. One was a longtime smoker. As we stood next to each other, I could see that his skin was deeply wrinkled. Smoking constricts blood flow to your brain and skin and prematurely ages both. As I wrote in the Introduction, my other friend had lost his wife to cancer a year earlier. The chronic stress had aged him what looked like twenty years. As he complained about his energy and memory, I worried that his brain would look aged as well.

I have often said that whatever is good for your heart is good for your brain, and whatever is bad for your heart is bad for your brain. It is all about healthy blood flow. Here we can definitely add that whatever is good for your heart is good for your brain is good for your skin, and whatever is bad for your heart is bad for your brain is bad for your skin. The same things that boost blood flow to the brain and enhance overall brain function will rejuvenate your skin and give it a healthy glow. By the same token, many things that harm the brain also damage your skin and make you look older.

THE BRAIN-SKIN CONNECTION

You might wonder what your brain has to do with your skin. After all, your skin is on the outside of your body, right? Isn't it more affected by our environment and the things we put on our faces—creams, lotions, makeup, aftershave, wrinkle removers-—-than by our brains? No. Scientific evidence points to a powerful brain-skin connection. Your skin and brain are completely connected to each other. It is not uncommon to hear:

"He is so mad that he is turning red."

"You can tell she is embarrassed because she is blushing."

"Whenever I get upset, 1 break out in hives."

"I am so excited I have goose bumps."

"He must be the nervous type, because his hands are cold."

"Whenever I get nervous, my hands start to sweat,"

I remember the first time I was on television. It was on a small station in Connecticut about twenty years ago. I was so nervous that I unconsciously spent the whole interview rubbing my hands on my trousers trying to keep them dry. When I watched the video later, I was horrified.

Scientists measure both hand temperature and skin sweat gland activity to understand the body's response to stress. Lie detector tests use these two measures as part of their battery to determine when people lie. As a biofeedback therapist, t have spent many hours teaching my patients to both warm and dry their hands as part of relaxation protocols. When we feel anxious or upset, our skin temperature immediately starts to become colder and we start to sweat.

UNRESOLVED EMOTIONS MAY COME OUT THROUGH YOUR SKIN

When I was a resident at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., one of my first psychotherapy cases was a U.S. Army colonel named Bob who had a persistent rash over his whole body that was resistant to treatment. Bob was referred to our clinic because the rash had started shortly after his wife had died in a car accident two years earlier. He had no idea why he needed to see a shrink but was happy to cooperate if it could help. The rash was interfering with everything in his life. Plus, he noticed that whenever he became stressed, the rash would intensify.

One of the unique features of his story was that Bob never cried over the loss of his wife. He told me he had always had problems expressing his feelings, and he had four children at home who needed him now more than ever. After several sessions, I decided to use hypnosis with Bob to help him with what I believed to be unresolved grief. Bob was highly hypnotizable, which is often true of many intelligent people. During our first hypnotic session, Bob cried for the first time. The tears started silently, almost reluctantly, then the sobs came, which became more intense as the session progressed. The next four hypnosis sessions were filled with tears and the expression of grief over his lost love and best friend. He had been so overwhelmed by having to take care of his children and his job that his unconscious mind did not allow him to grieve, fearful he would lose total control. In a safe place, he allowed himself to feel the pain'. Over the next three months, his rash went away.

YOUR SKIN IS "THE BRAIN ON THE OUTSIDE"

Change your brain, change your skin. Numerous studies have shown that when you experience psychological stress, your brain responds by sending signals to your skin to react as if it is under physical attack. This can result in a rash, flushing, blushing, or an increase in the production of protective oils and a decrease in the skin's less-critical functions, such as hair growth. More oil and less hair growth typically equal more blemishes and thinning hair. If you are stressed out about your new job, a test, or a big date, your skin is more likely to break out.

More evidence of the brain-skin link comes from research out of Sweden, where researchers have found that it is possible to study the biological roots of mental health diseases like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia by looking at certain skin cells rather than having to take tissue samples of the brain. That's because certain skin cells function similarly to the brain cells that are believed to be involved in these disorders. In a sense, this study shows that your skin cells mirror your brain cells.

On the flip side of the brain-skin connection, your skin can change your brain. In 2008, Wake Forest University's Gil Yosipovitch and colleagues published findings from a very interesting study using brain scans to see how scratching affects the brain. The researchers studied what happened when thirteen healthy adults had their lower right leg gently scratched although the area didn't itch. Participants were scanned before, during, and after the scratching . sessions using functional MRI imaging. The scans showed that scratching activated certain areas of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex, inferior parietal lobe, and cerebellum. At the same time, it deactivated the anterior and posterior cingulated cortices. These areas are associated with unpleasant emotions and memories. This means that the simple act of scratching your skin changes your brain and can make you feel better. You might also want to try this with your partner or children to soothe them when they are upset.

The brain-skin connection is so strong that some people have begun calling the skin "the brain on the outside." In fact, the skin has been found to produce many of the same neuropeptides—-including melatonin, serotonin, and Cortisol—used by the brain. It is clear that the health and appearance of your skin are a reflection of the health of your brain.

BAD BRAIN HABITS AND CONDITIONS THAT CAN CAUSE SKIN PROBLEMS AND PREMATURE AGING

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? If it is a face fall of wrinkles, fine lines, or sagging, don't run to the plastic surgeon just yet. Take a look at these common brain causes of premature aging first. The same goes for tho,se of you with blemishes and acne. Before you rush to the cosmetics counter for a bunch of pricy acne treatments, take a moment to tiiink about what is going on inside your body and your brain and how your lifestyle and environment are affecting both your skin and brain. In many cases, by taking care of your brain, you will be able to improve the appearance of your skin.

Caffeine Too much caffeine from coffee, tea, chocolate, or some herbal preparations dehydrates your skin, which makes it look dry and wrinkled.

Alcohol Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body, sapping moisture from your skin and increasing wrinkles. It also dilates the blood vessels and capillaries in your skin. With excessive drinking, the blood vessels lose their tone and become permanently dilated, giving your face a flush that will not go away. Alcohol also depletes vitamin A, an important antioxidant involved in skin-cell regeneration. Alcohol abuse damages the liver and reduces its ability to remove toxins from the body, resulting in increased toxins in the body and skin that make you look older than you really are.

Smoking Nicotine reduces blood flow to the skin, robbing it of that healthy, rosy glow. It also destroys elasticity, which promotes wrinkles. The act of puffing on cigarettes also adds fine lines to the area above your upper lip. Smoking for ten or more years can give you "smoker's face." That's a term Dr. Douglas Model introduced in 1985 when he published a study in the British Medical Journal showing that he could identify long-term smokers by doing nothing more than looking at their facial features. The smoker's face made the people look older than their true age and included the following characteristics: lines above and below the lips, at the corners of the eyes, on the cheeks, or on the jaw; a gaunt appearance; a grayish tone; and a reddish complexion. More bad news: Smokers are three times as likely to develop a certain type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma than nonsmokers, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Poor diet The foods you eat fuel the regeneration of your skin cells, which make themselves new every thirty days. Your skin reflects the nutritional quality of your diet. If you eat a diet deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, you are more likely to look older than your age.

Too much sugar Eating too many sweets and high-glycemic foods can cause wrinkles. A study in the British Journal of Dermatology found that consuming sugar promotes a natural process called glycation, in which sugars attach themselves to proteins to form harmful molecules called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs damage your brain and also damage collagen and elastin, the protein fibers that help keep skin firm and supple. The more sugar you consume, the more damage to these proteins, and the more wrinkles on your face.

Yo-yo dieting and massive weight loss Every time you gain weight, your skin stretches to accommodate the increased girth. When you lose weight, your skin-has to contract back to your new smaller shape. A lifetime of ups and downs in weight diminishes your skin's elasticity until it can no longer shrink to fit your size. Gaining a lot of weight-—a hundreds pounds or more—can stretch your skin to the point of no return. After massive weight loss, you maybe stuck with loose, hanging skin on your body and face.

Inadequate water intake When you don't drink enough water, your skin becomes dehydrated.

(IT IS LIQUID PER SE NOT SO MUCH WATER - RECENT STUDIES DEBUNK THE 6 TO 8 GLASSES OF WATER A DAY, UNLESS OF COURSE YOUR WORKING OUTSIDE IN THE BLISTERING HEAT - Keith Hunt)

Lack of sleep Without adequate rest, your skin misses out on the ever-so-important rejuvenation process that occurs during sleep. The result? Premature aging of the skin, bags under the eyes, and an increase in wrinkles.

Lack of exercise Being a couch potato decreases blood flow to the skin and deprives you of the antiaging benefits of physical activity.

Stress Researchers have pinpointed a strong brain-stress-skin connection. In response to stress, your brain sends signals to your skin that can result in pimples and breakouts. Scientific evidence has found that psychological stress worsens the symptoms of several common skin diseases, such as psoriasis and eczema.

Unresolved emotional conflicts or post-traumatic stress disorder

As in Colonel Bob's case above, unresolved grief or emotional conflicts cause chronic stress and may be reflected in your skin. If you emotionally repress or bury your problems, they may be reflected negatively through your skin. Get help when you need it.

Hormonal changes The hormonal fluctuations that occur during puberty, pregnancy, PMS, perimenopause, menopause, polycystic ovarian syndrome (high testosterone levels in some women), and andropause (low testosterone levels in men) maybe at the root of breakouts and other undesirable changes in your skin. Dry skin is commonly associated with hypothyroidism when the thyroid gland is underactive.

Untreated or undertreated psychiatric conditions Skin picking and cutting are symptoms of certain types of mental disorders.

Dementia and memory problems Wim impaired cogmtive function, you may not remember to take medications, to wear sunscreen, or to follow a skin-healthy beauty regimen.

Medications Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can affect your skin in a negative way. For example, birth control pills may either worsen or improve the appearance of acne and oily skin.

Sun exposure The damaging rays of the sun accelerate the effects of aging and cause age spots, wrinkles, sagging, and in some cases, skin cancer. Scientific studies show that due to our changing climate and ozone depletion, the risk for skin cancer is on the rise. Although most types of skin cancer are treatable, they may leave unsightly scars. Some sun exposure is important to get healthy levels of vitamin D. But balance is also important.

Pollution and environmental toxins Daily exposure to toxins can damage your brain and your complexion. A study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that exposure of the skin to troposphere ozone, the major oxidant in photochemical smog, reduced vitamin E by 70 percent. It also increased lipid hydroperoxides, which are a sign of oxidative damage in cell membranes.

Climate If you live in a dry, desert area, your skin may look as parched as you feel.

Twelve Brain Ways to Get Smoother, Younger-Looking Skin

1. Get more sleep for a better brain and skin that glows.

Skin cell regeneration, in which dead skin cells are replaced with fresh new cells, revs up while you sleep to rejuvenate your skin. Getting adequate sleep is a better antiaging treatment than anything you could find at the cosmetics counter. Sleep also repairs skin from daily pollution and toxins and helps prevent breakouts by regulating the body's hormones. For more on the importance of sleep, see Chapter 10, "The Sleep Solution."

2. De-stress for antiaging your brain and skin.

By reducing the stress in your life, you can take years off your appearance and delay the skin's aging process. With stress hormones under control, you are likely to experience fewer wrinkles and breakouts. For more information on how stress affects your skin, check out Chapter 11, "The Stress Solution."

3. Exercise to improve both brain and skin circulation.

Getting your heart pumping improves blood flow to your brain and skin. Improved cell regeneration, collagen production, and wound healing are some of the many benefits of enhanced circulation. Chapter 5, "The Exercise Solution," included more ways that exercise improves the skin.

4. Balance your hormones for better skin and brain function.

Acne, dry skin, oily skin, wrinkles, sagging-—-these can all be signs of hormonal imbalances in your body. For example, the hormone estrogen helps delay the aging process to keep your skin looking firm and supple. Estrogen is responsible for collagen crosslinking, in which collagen intertwines with other collagen to form a sort of mesh network that provides elasticity and smoothness and keeps the skin from sagging. It is similar'to the way spandex works—you can stretch it out, and it will snap back to its original shape. Estrogen levels decrease with age, which causes you to lose the protection of crosslinking. This makes your skin more similar to a delicate wool sweater-—if you stretch it out, it stays stretched out and doesn't spring back into shape. This is when gravity starts to take its toll on your face. By keeping your hormone levels in check, your skin will be softer, smoother, and clearer. See Chapter 7, "The Hormone Solution," for more on balancing your hormones.

5. Have more sex.

Having great sex-—-and a lot of it—can boost the levels of hormones, such as estrogen and DHEA, both of which promote smoother, tighter skin. According to fascinating research, making love on a regular basis is so good for your skin, it can make you look ten years younger. More on this intriguing research in Chapter 14, "The Passion Solution."

6. Limit caffeine and alcohol.

To keep your skin looking soft and supple, avoid any beverages that dehydrate it.

7. Quit smoking—now!

If you quit smoking, you can reverse some of the damage you've done to your skin.

8. Eat a brain-healthy diet.

A diet full of brain-friendly antioxidants gives you healthier skin and enhances the skin-cell regeneration process.

9. Maintain a healthy weight.

By stabilizing your weight, your skin is more likely to maintain its tone and elasticity.

10. Drink more water.

Drinking an adequate amount of water keeps your skin hydrated to prevent wrinkles and fine lines.

(AGAIN IT IS LIQUID NOT SO MUCH AS WATER PER SE - Keith Hunt)

11. Balance your sun exposure.

Some sun is essential for healthy skin, to boost vitamin D levels in your body. Too much sun can cause premature aging and age spots. Try to get twenty minutes of good sun exposure during the day, after which you should protect yourself with sunscreen.

12. Treat mental disorders and memory problems.

When your brain works better, your skin will likely look better too. The chronic stress from having depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or attention deficit disorder robs your skin of its vitality and elasticity. Early treatment is essential.

....................

WHAT  DR. AMEN  MISSES  IS  TWO  VERY  FITAL  POINT.  YOUR  FACE  AND  NECK  ARE  MUSCLES  UNDER  THAT  SKIN.  UNLESS  YOU  EXERCISE  THOSE  MUSCLES  FOLLOWING  THE  ABOVE  WILL  ONLY  DO  SO  MUCH TO  KEEP  YOUR  SKIN  FROM  EVENTUALLY  SAGGING  AS  YOU  AGE.  ONCE  MORE  I  REFER  THE  READER  TO  GOOD  OL'  CHARLES  ATLAS  AND  HIS  HEALTH  AND  STRENGTH  COURSE.  HE  HAD  EXERCISES  FOR  THE  FACE  AND  NECK.  ONE  IS  SIMPLY  BLOW  OUT  YOUR  CHEEKS  AND  HOLD  FOR  A  FEW  SECONDS.  THE  OTHER  COMBINES  THAT  WITH  PULLING  AND  TENSING  THE  NECK  BY  BRINGING  THE  HEAD  BACK.  DO  THIS  A  DOZEN  TIMES  OR  SO  AND  YOU  WILL  FEEL  THE  HARDNESS  IN  THE  NECK  WITHIN  A  FEW  HOURS.  I  HAVE  KEPT  MY  NECK  AND  FACE  QUITE  TIGHT  FOR  71  YEARS  OLD.  EXERCISING  THE  FACE  AND  NECK  IS  VITAL  TO  KEEP  THE  SKIN  FROM  SAGGING.

SECOND POINT HE MISSED [MAYBE HE DOES NOT THINK IT IMPORTANT, BUT HE WOULD BE VERY WRONG] --  USE  FACE  CREAM  MORNING  AND  NIGHT. IT HAS BEEN  PROVED  ANY  FACE  CREAM  OVER  $25  IS  SPENDING TOO  MUCH.  THE  WEATHER  TAKES  ITS  TOLL  ON  YOUR  FACE,  BE  IT  SUN,  RAIN,  WIND,  OR  JUST  PLAIN  AIR.  THE  FACE  SKIN  NEEDS  TO  BE  REPLACED  WITH  MOISTURE - CREAM.  I  HAVE  BEEN  APPLYING  FACE  CREAM  SINCE  A  TEENAGER.....NOT  NEEDED  SO  MUCH  THEN.....BUT  YOU  THINK  AHEAD,  PAYS  OFF  IN  THE  LONG  RUN  OVER  YOUR  LIFETIME.  I'M  71  ON  SEPTEMBER  11TH  2013,  PEOPLE  THINK  I'M  ABOUT  50  YEARS  OLD.

FOLLOWING  THE  ABOVE  ARTICLE  BY  DR.  AMEN  AND  THE  TWO  POINTS  I'VE  JUST  GIVEN,   CAN  HAVE  YOU  LOOKING  20  YEARS  YOUNGER  WHEN  YOU  REACH  70.  I  KNOW  I'VE  PROVED  IT!!

Keith Hunt