Quality of Life (QOL) is the general well-being of an individual that results from various conditions including physical and mental health, safety and security, as well as comfort and happiness. Feeling good and reducing insecurity increases one’s ability to enjoy life. Skin is the largest organ of the body and it’s a big reflection on how a person feels. Often, when the body is out of balance, it shows in the skin, and when skin is problematic due to inflammation, redness, itching, or flaking for example, the quality of an individual’s life is likely to decrease.
Viniferamine® skin and wound care products can increase QOL by decreasing inflammation that often leads to itching (pruritus). Many of the small molecule ingredients in the Viniferamine® products are anti-inflammatory including the beneficial polyphenols oleuropein, resveratrol, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from olives, grapes, and green tea, respectively, as well as the important small molecules, melatonin, and L-glutathione. In addition, dipotassium glycyrrhizate from licorice, avenanthramides in oats, aloe vera and shea butter have also been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activities.
When a person skin doesn’t feel or look their best due to skin issues, they tend to stay indoors and enjoy fewer activities like swimming, gardening, shopping or entertaining. That means less exercise and/or less socializing (two things that are good for general health), which can increase anxiety. Stress and anxiety have been found to exacerbate skin problems like inflammation and itching associated with certain conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Other skin problems like hand dermatitis can even impact a person’s ability to work, which also affects QOL.
It’s important to avoid flaking skin by moisturizing, nourishing and strengthening the skin. Viniferamine® skin and wound care products contain skin nutrients including antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids that help strengthen and protect the skin to keep it looking and feeling its best. Viniferamine® Renewal Moisturizer also includes ingredients that help hydrate skin like aloe vera and shea butter. Viniferamine® Silicone Barrier is an advanced 34% silicone cream that protects skin from irritants and helps restore it to a healthy state.
Many studies have found consistently decreased QOL among individuals with visible skin issues including from eczema. Preventing eczema flare ups by keeping skin hydrated and nourished is important. A survey of over 600 people with eczema found a broad dissatisfaction with life. Itchy skin often results in lack of sleep that can increase anxiety and exacerbate inflammation. Moreover, itchy skin and scratching can lead to wounding and infections. In addition, skin itching at night is a common problem for older individuals even without eczema.
Scarring is generally unattractive and may decrease QOL due to decreased activities and less socializing. Scarring occurs at the end of wound healing and can result in decreased mobility, especially when it occurs on or near joints. Viniferamine® Silicone Barrier helps decrease scarring including striae (stretch marks) in part by decreasing inflammation. Its protective barrier also helps promote optimal wound healing by keeping in moisture, helping prevent infection and by normalizing the skin barrier function.
Taking care of skin by nourishing it and strengthening it is especially important for individuals prone to skin breakdown including individuals who are elderly, have type 2 diabetes or have other chronic illnesses that can affect skin negatively. People with diabetes need to moisturize and nourish their skin to help prevent foot ulcers that can greatly decrease their QOL. Elderly individuals often need to protect against pressure ulcers that can be debilitating. A nourishing skin cleanser like Viniferamine® Clean and Moist helps protect and moisturize skin while gently cleansing away dirt and other irritants that can cause inflammation and skin breakdown.
Obesity can also affect an individuals QOL not just by decreasing activities and affecting self-image, but also by directly affecting the skin. Obese individuals are susceptible to yeast infections that can occur in skin folds due to excess moisture (sweat) that may cause skin breakdown. Gently cleansing with Clean and Moist helps reduce the risk of yeast infections and wounding. Obese individuals are also prone to lymphedema (swelling of the legs) and cellulitis (bacterial skin infections). Clean N Moist and Viniferamine® Antiseptic Cleanser can help reduce the risk of bacterial infections while nourishing and strengthening skin to help prevent further breakdown.
Having a healthy diet, getting enough rest, and enjoying a little time in the sun are not only good for general health and QOL but also promote skin health. Skin has its own circadian rhythm just like the rest of the body that is affected by stress and lack of sleep. Rest and relaxation is critical for health. Getting enough sun for brief periods of time can help the skin make vitamin D required for many important body functions including healthy immune responses.
It’s good to know that Viniferamine® skin and wound care products include ingredients that help decrease inflammation, itching and flaking that can lead to decreased QOL. Viniferamine® ingredients also nourish and strengthen skin to help prevent wounding that can lead to bacterial infections. Viniferamine® skin and wound care products help skin stay healthy and looking its best to increase QOL.
About the author: Nancy Ray, PhD is the Science Officer at McCord Research. Dr. Ray received her PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics and was a postdoctoral fellow at NIH, Harvard University and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the University of Iowa. She also earned bachelor of science degrees in Chemistry and Microbiology.
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