Acne-positive: Why is it beneficial to treat inflammations?
margarita virova
Despite the fact that in Russia c culture respectful attitude Not everything looks smooth to the exterior; in the rest of the world, ideas about the body and its capabilities change much faster. The latest hot topic for publications and bloggers embedded in the feminist agenda is relationships with different skin conditions, most of which are traditionally considered or directly referred to as diseases (despite the fact that medicine may have very different criteria for such a classification). We tell what acne-positive is and how people learn to respect the uniqueness of the skin - their own and others'.
Before we talk about acne-positive, it is worth recalling that acne is an inflammatory disease, because of which black spots, comedones, inflammations and cysts appear on the skin. Wonderzine blogger and author Adel Miftakhova explains: "How inflammations are formed is quite simple written on the UpToDate portal: p. Acnes bacteria live in pores, and in the usual case they are part of the skin microbiome, which causes no problems. When bacteria there is access to oxygen, they do not actively proliferate, but when the time is blocked by a mixture of cornified skin and sebum, the oxygen supply stops and the bacteria begin to multiply actively. The body reacts with inflammation and pus. Black spots (but not sebaceous filaments) also acne form But it goes without inflammation. "
The expert says that now the only reason for susceptibility to acne is called excessive production of hormones of the group of androgens, which are also called "male hormones." They provoke sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. And they affect not only the amount of fat, but also its quality: it becomes more viscous and thick and clogs the pores faster. In contrast to, say, atopic dermatitis, acne does not affect other organs and, in general, does not affect physical health. Nevertheless, the connection between acne and mental health is well known. It is not only about abstract acceptance of oneself: not one study calls acne one of the causes of depression and other disorders.
Not so long ago, we talked about the first advertising of Kate Somerville inflammation, in which acne itself appears - but this is not just a bold marketing ploy or attraction to attract a young audience. The acne-positive movement as a trend emerged began to speak last year - and almost always in a positive way. He does not have specific leaders and initiators, but we can speak about the results now. The idea is simple: everyone has the right not to be ashamed of his skin, whatever its features. But if freckles, vitiligo and other types of pigmentation are easier for most to perceive as a neutral detail of appearance, acne still gets a huge amount of stigma, and people whose skin is prone to inflammation have to undergo constant pressure - often in real life, and even more so. in the Internet.
Skincare.com claims that the trends are also rejoiced by individual cosmetologists, for whom a calm attitude towards acne would seem to be a problem. But no - Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, the blog consultant, is sure: "It's great when people accept their shortcomings, and not hide them." By the way, the very word “deficiency” inherited from the traditional beauty industry, which operates with audience fears, has been a great substitute: more and more progressive journalists and bloggers use the term “skin conditions”, emphasizing the rejection of the separation of different skin conditions for “diseases” and "cute features." Recall the history of cellulite, which was declared a disease at the end of the 20th century: the idea of dimples on the hips as an “imperfection” that needs to be combated has created a branch in the industry and to this day helps to successfully sell creams and body wraps. It is no secret that stubborn acne treatment is expensive and time consuming. One of the objectives of the acne-positive movement is precisely to ensure that the owners of such features no longer consider this struggle as a vital necessity and be able to perceive it only as one of the possible choices.
Paradoxically (or not), the instagram users appear most clearly behind acne-positive: celebrities, activists, makeup artists, body-positive bloggers. The network, in which the cult of the “ideal” skin developed most intensely, turned out to be open enough for an alternative view of the attitude to the body. Millions of publications on the hashtags #acnepositive and #acnepositivity is not yet observed - but almost a thousand is enough to imagine how real people are not satisfied with the current discrimination. Earlier this year, Kendall Jenner urged her fans not to be ashamed of acne - and, it seems, only got more sympathy. When a model from the Kardashian-Jenner clan, whose members are known for gigantic investments in appearance and love for procedures and cosmetics, suggests soberly assessing and respecting one’s own face, it seems that change is not far off.
The reputation of the inflammations on the face and body in the popular view is the same as that of the fullness: they are often considered a sign of reluctance to "improve" and "work on yourself", so that people who come across them constantly receive unsolicited advice. Although acne is one of the most well-studied skin conditions, procedures and preparations should be selected individually. Diet, daily washing and pharmacy cosmetics can both affect the situation, and be useless - but the friendly attitude of others and a criticism of beauty standards can definitely make things easier. It is important to remember that not all people can like their skin, it can, in the end, cause discomfort - and this is also a personal matter for everyone. Acne should not become a reason not to leave the house, but obtaining information and searching for conscientious doctors should not turn into running with obstacles.
Do not hide acne and talk about this state openly - this set of simple actions is enough to cause a small storm. Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird’s last year showed acne on a human face without constraint: cinema is actively involved in designing exterior standards for general use, and it’s surprising that the real skin texture can often not be seen even in indie films and post-documentary films, the aesthetics of which do not involve lickiness and intense makeup. The fact that acne exists, and have skin that is prone to inflammation, may well-known and successful people, even before the ensuing discussion reminded Lena Dunham, Keira Knightley, Cameron Diaz - but now such performances are made not only by singles. Acne-positive blogging turns into a separate beauty genre: if earlier we were glad that the conditional NikkieTutorials could show a face with inflammation before thickly covering the skin with make-up, then the “new wave” simply calls for not smearing anything. And life with bare skin does not prevent girls from feeling beautiful - at least the stigmatizing comments under their photos are less and less, and support and admiration, on the contrary, are more.
Acne positive is not a call to immediately leave the cosmetologist's office: many supporters of the movement share the secrets of care, follow the latest scientific discoveries and offer to make a choice in favor of or against treatment on their own. The process of making acne as an often occurring, but non-dangerous and mundane skin condition is important for all parties: those who have unsuccessfully spent years with money for endless professionals, and professionals who have to use questionable “quick” methods of stopping the condition to cater to customers. Probably, the first cover of Vogue with real acne is far away for us, but each of us can already organize a safe space on the Internet: characters, websites and blogs offering a neutral or scientific approach to what to do with your face and body are much more than zero.