How to Stop Your Skin from “Freaking Out” After the Holidays

The “Spooky Season” might have been a lot of fun for many of us, but sadly, there are some drawbacks to that sugar high you may get around this time every year. Aside from giving you a stomach-ache if you overindulge in sweets, all of that refined sugar can also be rough on your skin. Sugar is believed to be one of the main culprits behind terrible acne flare-ups because it causes spikes in insulin and blood sugar levels, meaning an increase in oil production and more opportunities for blocked pores. Not to mention, studies have shown that elevated blood sugar levels lead to premature aging by reducing elasticity in the skin due to a process called glycation. Of course, an IPL session from our Naples-based team at Skin Wellness Physicians is one way of clearing up discoloration caused by acne, along with wrinkles and sagging that are associated with eating too much sugar (and environmental stressors).

It should be noted that intense pulsed light won’t do much for improving the inflammatory skin condition itself. Thankfully, you don’t need to give up sweets altogether this year to maintain stunning skin. See below for some simple steps that can be taken if you had too much candy this Halloween or pie this Thanksgiving and want to reduce the risk of terrible acne breakouts. 

Counter It with Other Foods

If you’re worried that having too much sugar recently might be disastrous for your skin, try to balance the poor eating choice out with fibrous or fatty foods like nuts that can help to prevent a spike in blood sugar. Consume low-glycemic foods and drink water or green tea instead of sugary drinks to keep hydrated.  

Exercise

Physical activity reduces blood sugar levels for up to 24 hours while decreasing stress-related acne. 

Get High Quality Sleep 

High levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, contribute to oily skin and acne. To prevent a surge in cortisol levels that can stress out your skin and the rest of your body, be sure to get a good night’s rest if you’ve had too much sugar during the day. 

With all of that in mind, find out why you should choose intense pulsed light (IPL) from Naples’ Skin Wellness Physicians to support healthier, clearer skin this fall. If you’re ready for light or laser-based treatments, call us at (239) 732-0044 or submit a contact form to request a consultation and find out whether you’re a good candidate.