The Hemp Connection:
acanthosis nigricans

Source: Uploaded by user via Monika on Pinterest

Have you noticed that the skin under your arms, on the back of your neck, and/or in your groin area is darker than it is elsewhere? Does it seem a little dirtier than the rest of your skin…but no amount of scrubbing or skin lightening products seems to help lighten it?

You may have a condition called acanthosis nigricans. It is caused by insulin resistance. It isn't something you may connect to your PCOS, and if you haven't had to take your clothes off for a medical exam, it may have been sitting there unnoticed, telling you something very important about how your insulin is (not) functioning.

I had a friend I had known for several years, who knew I specialized in PCOS, who was always dieting…but who always wore a lab coat for work whenever I saw her. It wasn't until A hot summer afternoon, at a social gathering, when she wore a tank top,that I noticed her acanthosis

This condition will resolve, but only when you correct the source of the problem.

If you have groin, armpit, or back of the neck skin that looks anything like what you see in these photos, be sure to let your PCOS caregiver know.

Hello from beautiful Vermont! I'm here at Green Mountain at Fox Run Resort for their first-ever PCOS program. Today we discussed healthy skin. I used Carmina McGee's recent interview on PCOS Challenge for the basis of our discussion. You can listen to the entire interview at PCOS Challenge…but for starters, here are her top tips for improving your skin from the inside out.

1. Get enough sleep.
2. Reduce your stress.
3. Eat regularly--don't skip meals.
4. Limit your intake of processed foods.
5. Moderate your alcohol intake.
6. Don't smoke.
7. Get plenty of physical activity.
8. Be sure to make time for yourself that does not include taking care of others.
9. Be part of some kind of community to decrease your sense of aloneness.
10. Have some sort of spiritual path.

Marsha Hudnall, owner of Green Mountain at Fox Run, added this one to the list:

11. Laugh!

We've been so busy, I haven't posted much about what we're doing. I have been taking photos, though, so check back for more details.

Have a wonderful day!

Such exciting developments on the skin care front! You've likely seen Carmina McGee's posts here at inCYST. Carmina is a registered dietitian as well as a licensed esthetician, and she loves to teach about skin care from inside out. If you haven't heard her interview on PCOS Challenge, and you want to know more about everything from acne to acanthosis nigricans to skin tags…I highly recommend it.

Speaking of skin, we're soon to have a new inCYST member with some great new information for you! Dr. Susan Van Dyke is a board certified dermatologist in Paradise Valley (near Phoenix), Arizona, who has a special interest in PCOS. She's got a great new laser technique called Duet LightSheer Laser, which is only available in select locations in the United States. You can read about Dr. Van Dyke and her procedure at this link, and you can join her Facebook group at"Van Dyke Laser and Skin".

I am learning from all of you how important it is to understand the emotional issues surrounding the appearance changes PCOS induces, and it's important to me that we provide support for you in those areas as well as in areas where we're currently very actively discussing.

I love what Carmina is doing and I'm absolutely thrilled Dr. Van Dyke is joining our group. I hope it's only the beginning of new, helpful information and services we at inCYST can offer to our readers.

…you've got to hear Carmina McGee's interview she did today! It's packed full of information on everything from acne to acanthosis nigricans to facial hair and what to do about it.

Simply click here for the link to listen.

Thanks for sharing your expertise, Carmina!