Tips on Moving Through A Skin Disorder Flare

We understand intellectually that our skin, much like our entire body, ebbs and flows. But the dissonance between intellect and emotion is a life long wrestle I think most of us know all too well. For those who have struggled with a skin disorder (1 in 4 says the American Academy of Dermatology) the whiplash of working hard to get clear and then experiencing a flare up can trigger a system-wide PTSD response beyond reason. This is because we see our physical appearance as a representation of how healthy we are and how much control we have. This loss of control is the core emotion to hone in on when moving through a health flare of any kind.

How most skin disorders work—

One part genetic predisposition and one part environmental trigger, skin disorders of all kinds have both an internal and external element involved due to being mitigated by our insides but influenced by the outside. The onset of any skin disorder usually comes when your inner or outer body goes through a shift— this could be puberty, moving climates, a stressful life event, change in medication, etc. and the reason your skin acts out is because it’s reached what I call it’s “symptomatic threshold” which is when one or more systems are burdened or depleted which results in immune response, inflammation, and disorder. This is true throughout the body as well as in the skin.

What this means for the healing process—

As with most diseases and disorders in the body, once trigged (esp. if the issue has been chronic), it becomes a recurring injury. You can work yourself into remission by backing yourself away from the “symptomatic threshold” through identifying triggers, restoring balance, and letting time and consistency do her thing. But what most people fail to recognize is that our bodies are dynamic and this world is volatile which means it’s incredibly likely that you will, at some point, have a flare up —short or long— that will call for pause.

The questions to ask yourself when experiencing a flare—

01— Am I doing the things I know keep me balanced? (eating right, supplements, drinking fluids, moving daily, resting deeply, skincare morning and night, etc.)

02— When did it kick back up? (was it after a notable change in diet, lifestyle, or environment)

03— What was I doing and how was I living when it last felt good?(this doesn’t mean you should obsessively go back in time and recreate those same circumstances, but it’s important to note in what conditions and routines your skin thrives in)

04— What can I focus on that IS in my control right now? (you could translate this across the board from diet, lifestyle, social, work, mindset, and beyond. How you redirect and come back into your power is everything)

Finding solid ground to stand on—

Maybe the most important of all is to stop yourself from going into spiral mode. Lean on your people and talk through how frustrating it can be, book a facial with your trusted skin expert, schedule a check-in call with your health coach or medical provider. Find yourself in space and time, ground yourself in the facts, trust your body has your back.

Here are some affirmations I’ve found helpful (yes, I flare too, how do you think I know all of this) starting with my all time favorite which soothes me in many of life’s trying situations.

01— I’ve been in this room before. I’ve left this room before. I know what to do.

02— My presence and life force is more powerful and important than the state of my skin.

03— I am capable of moving through this and finding balance again.

04— My body is dynamic and on my team. I trust it’s process.

If this all resonates deeply I want to extend my sympathy and let you know I see you. Skin disorders do a real number on the psyche and that should never be ignored or minimized. Remember to summon your power, stay calm, and rest assured the road is long and this is just one part of your expansive self and story. Perfect skin is a fallacy.

Reach out if you have questions about this topic or are curious about how health coaching can help you find clarity in the healing process.