We typically think of celebrities as mostly flawless. But for those in the spotlight, having skin problems can be very distressing.
Actress, Cameron Diaz has always been very open about her struggle with acne in her youth. Well, now Cameron can have the last laugh as those of us who suffer from acne could show FEWER signs of aging than our clear-skinned pals. A new study, carried out by the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, found that the effects are on the entire body. We never thought we would be thankful for ‘bacne’. Cameron Diaz recently spoke about her struggle with her spots in her health guide, The Body Book.
“I mean, I had terrible, terrible, skin. It was embarrassing, and I did everything I could think of to make it go away. I tried to cover it with makeup. I tried to get rid of it with medication: oral, topical, even the harshest prescriptions. Nothing helped for very long. It was really challenging to cover them up for the cameras. It was awkward and embarrassing and frustrating, and I always felt really bad about myself.”
She eventually decided to change her diet and ditch fast-food and she found they made a big difference. Now researchers at King’s College London found that those with acne have much longer protective caps on their chromosomes, which are referred to as telomeres. These can help add an extra layer and give higher protection against thinning skin. And we all know that thinning skin leads to wrinkly skin. Another experiment examining skin samples found that a group of genes involved in cell death was not as active in acne sufferers. Dermatologists have, for years, noticed that the skin of those with acne ages more slowly, with age lines appearing much later in life. It was thought to be as a result of excessive oil production. Now, co-author of the study, Dr Veronique Bataille says;
“This is great news for those who have suffered the trauma of acne in their teens or early twenties…They may suffer when they are young but will reap the benefits when they are older”.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Dr Bataille said that teenage acne sufferers ignore her when she tells them they will look youthful in their 40’s and 50’s. However, women in their 20’s tend to hang on to her every word.
And if that doesn’t cheer you up, longer telomeres also tend to signal stronger bones! It’s nice to know that there’s a positive aspect to having acne.
Do you suffer from pregnancy acne? Join our conversation @HerFamilydotie
