Our skin is the largest organ of the body, and amazingly it is an organ that visibly reflects the state of our overall health, whether physically, mentally or spiritually.
A holistic health approach to skin health means looking at an individual as a whole, and not specifically the skin to determine the root cause(s) of the skin health concerns. With our skin, a holistic approach means putting on a good quality natural moisturiser on our face is not enough. It only works on one part of the skin – the outer layer, and only temporarily.
We have to go deeper and look at the systems of the body which support our skin health and assess how they function to get a more accurate picture. We have to nurture our skin from the inside as well. The status and look of the skin depend on many factors – from ingredients we use, through our lifestyle choices (diet, exercise) and the environmental stressors we meet, to our emotional and mental well-being.
Supporting common skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema and rosacea, therefore, involve looking at the digestive system and the liver as well as assessing exposure to other environmental toxins.
Skin provides a physical and chemical barrier between the outside environment and the inside tissues of the body. This ‘barrier function’ is critical to protect the underlying tissues from pathogens, chemicals, and environmental exposures. It is made up of several different components, including water, protein, lipids, and different minerals and chemicals.
Structurally, skin is comprised of three main layers:
The epidermis, the upper layer, is responsible for many of the barrier functions of the skin. The dermis is the nutritive support network underneath the epidermis. Since each layer has its own unique structure and function, the nutritive requirements of each must be considered separately. The hypodermis expands and contracts to help keep your body at a constant temperature. A reduction of tissue in this layer causes your skin to sag.
The sebaceous glands secrete sebum, an oily substance that helps keep skin from drying out. Sebum reduces water loss from the skin surface, protects the skin from infection by bacteria and fungi. These glands are attached to hair follicles.
When your body gets hot or is under stress, sweat glands produce sweat, which evaporates to cool you. Sweat glands are located all over the body but are especially abundant in your palms, soles, forehead, and underarms.
Here is a range of signs and symptoms of poor skin health:
There is also a range of common pathologies linked to poor skin health:
Acne is the most common of all skin disorders. The lesions occur predominantly on the face and, to a lesser extent, on the back, chest, and shoulders. It is more common in males, and onset is typically at puberty. Some degree of facial acne has been found in 54% of women and 40% of men older than 25 years of age.
In contrast, acne has been reported to be absent in non-westernised populations such as the Okinawa islanders (Japan), Ache hunter-gatherers (Paraguay) and Kitavan islanders (Papua New Guinea). The complete absence of acne in non-westernised populations points strongly to underlying environmental factors, cultural factors and differences in diet.
The severity and progression of acne are determined by a complex interaction among an individual’s hormones, the level of inflammation in the body, genetic predispositions, immune health and susceptibility to bacteria (pathogens).
Behind all illnesses, there is an emotional element or trauma at the root which needs to be resolved and healed. This can be overlooked and doesn’t allow a person to fully heal as they are only treating the branches and not the root of the problem.
With the range of different skin problems, there will be a different emotional theme depending on the skin disorder involved. Here is a general overview of the themes involved with skin disorders.
The skin is the barrier between a person and the world and themes around protection/safety and integrity are common. If your personal boundaries have been threatened (often due to a traumatic experience) whether physically or emotionally this can trigger the onset of skin conditions.
Deep-seated insecurities and irritations can surface on the skin if a person is irritated or triggered. When circumstances, environmental factors or people challenge this barrier, it will speak up for itself by means of itching, burning or feeling irritated.
Suppressed feelings of anger and rage over unfair judgement made by controlling and rigid influential people is a common theme. It has been the case for many individuals that they have not been able to establish clear emotional and physical boundaries from a young age.
Techniques such as the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and Matrix Reimprinting are very powerful tools in helping work with these emotions or traumatic memories by clearing the energy behind them.
There are many factors involved when looking at skin health concerns and why the body may not be functioning optimally. These require investigating holistically and the individual needs to be assessed as a whole to truly determine the root cause(s).
Adjusting your nutritional intake and lifestyle habits, supporting mental well-being as well as assessing your spiritual wellbeing will play a crucial role in getting your skin back into balance.
Everyone is individual and therefore there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to health. It is important to get a health plan tailored to your needs, symptoms and life circumstances.
At Higher Healing, being qualified in Naturopathy, Nutrition, Emotional Freedom Technique and Matrix Reimprinting we have a truly holistic offering to provide the right support to transform your health. We also are able to offer private functional testing to assess in detail imbalances within the body to give you a clear picture of your health.
Our wish is for you to reach a higher level of healing, so you are able to transform your health. It is possible and you can do it. Start by taking the first step, and get in touch to see how Higher Healing can help.
Book a free discovery call with one of our therapists to find out how Higher Healing can help you achieve your health or life goals.Â
