Gray complexion. Causes in women, men, photos, diseases, how to get rid of

Lack of oxygen - one of the reasons that the skin changes color. Poor blood saturation, impaired blood flow - all this leads to the fact that the body, the face becomes gray, this is especially noticeable in women.

Medical causes of gray complexion in men and women

Oxygen has bacteriostatic properties, with which it inhibits the growth of pathogens. Oxygen inactivates viruses and participates in metabolic processes. Its deficiency increases anaerobic processes in the tissues, leading to a shift in the acid-base balance towards oxidation.

Blood carries oxygen throughout the body and when its transport function is disturbed, there is a lack of oxygenated blood.

A gray complexion (the causes are identical in women and men) is an indicator of limited blood flow and oxygen supply. Often, on the basis of changes in the shade of the skin, a specific disease can be suspected.

Some conditions interfere with blood flow and prevent oxygenation:

• advanced stage of chronic kidney disease or kidney failure;
• incurable cancer;
• chronic heart failure;
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Many conditions are urgent and may require immediate medical attention:

• suffocation from a foreign object;
• aspiration pneumonia;
• heart attack;
• emphysema of the lungs.

Digestive disruption

Pallor, gray skin color indicate complications of peptic ulcer disease. In chronic diseases of the small intestine, skin changes are observed in the form of peeling, reduced skin elasticity, which becomes grayish.

With a chronic violation of the process of food digestion, transport of nutrients and absorption of vitamins, the skin changes. So, with a deficiency of retinol (vitamin A), the skin becomes hard, covered with scales, acquires a gray-yellow tint.

Hypothyroidism

An underactive thyroid is a condition in which it does not produce enough hormones.

The disease may not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Slow metabolism contributes to the appearance of obesity, joint pain, affects the condition of the skin: it becomes dry, becomes gray.

Adrenal insufficiency

The adrenal glands produce hormones. Deficiency refers to non-specific symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances, and digestive problems.

Additionally, there is:

• dizziness;
• hair loss;
• discoloration of the skin (hyperpigmentation, grayness).

Mild adrenal insufficiency is often caused by chronic stress.

Thyrotoxicosis

An overactive thyroid gland occurs when it produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism can speed up your metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss and a fast or irregular heartbeat.

It also causes many symptoms that make it difficult to diagnose:

• fatigue, muscle weakness;
• thinning of the skin;
• thin, brittle hair;
• gray complexion.

Hepatic pathology

Disorders of the hepatobiliary system often lead to hyperpigmentation. Darkening can be a dirty gray color and occupy large areas of the skin, especially exposed skin.

In the later stages of chronic kidney disease, with renal failure, blood flow slows down, oxygen saturation, which leads to a change in skin color, it becomes pale gray.

Bacterial endocarditis

Endocarditis is an infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the chambers, and the valves of the heart. Endocarditis occurs when germs from another part of the body, such as the mouth, spread through the bloodstream and attach to damaged areas of the heart. If left untreated, endocarditis can damage or destroy heart valves and lead to life-threatening complications.

Symptoms are usually nonspecific and include fever, chills, anorexia, myalgia and shortness of breath, pale skin, and a greyish-yellow tinge.

Hemochromatosis

It is a condition caused by the excessive absorption of iron from foods that a person consumes, resulting in an increased concentration of iron in the blood of the liver, heart, and pancreas. Some people with hereditary hemochromatosis have no symptoms.

Early signs often overlap with symptoms of other common conditions:

• pain in joints, abdomen;
• tiredness, weakness;
• heart failure;
• bronze or gray skin color.

Early systemic scleroderma

Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a complex autoimmune disease that affects many organ systems other than the skin. The immune response tricks tissues into thinking they are damaged.

This causes inflammation. The body produces too much collagen, which leads to scleroderma. The increased amount of collagen in the skin and other tissues causes spots on the integument. They can be oval-shaped, covering wide areas of the trunk and limbs. The skin becomes shiny, gray.

Late cutaneous porphyria

Porphyria belongs to a group of disorders that result from the buildup of natural chemicals that produce porphyrin in the body. It is necessary for the functioning of hemoglobin, which, together with porphyrin, binds iron and carries oxygen to organs and tissues.

In pathology, porphyrins accumulate in the skin and, when exposed to sunlight, cause symptoms:

• sudden, painful skin discoloration and swelling;
• blisters on open areas, usually on the arms, hands, and face;
• itching.

Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are a group of cancers that can occur in the hormone-producing cells of an organ. Several inherited syndromes increase the risk of developing this type of cancer, including von Recklinghausen's disease.

Tumors of the pancreas sometimes do not cause symptoms, and if present, they include, among others, pigmentation disorders. Light gray or dark brown spots appear on the skin of the trunk, limbs, less often on the face and neck.

Dysplastic nevus syndrome

These are benign neoplasms on the skin surface, they are an accumulation of nerve cells that produce melanin. The surface of the nevus is covered with small tubercles, has an uneven color, from gray to brown. The color depends on how deeply the pigment is embedded in the epidermis.

Leopard Syndrome

An autosomal dominant disorder, often characterized by cardiac abnormalities and abnormalities of various organs. Expressed by obvious signs: multiple spots (lentigo) of the color "coffee with milk", the appearance of which is caused by the accumulation of melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis.

With the disease, stenosis of the pulmonary artery often develops, while the skin often acquires a bluish-gray tint.

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome

A rare autosomal dominant disorder. It is characterized by the appearance of polyps in the parts of the digestive system, multiple age spots of the lips and the mucous membrane of the cheeks. On the back surface of the hands, feet, sometimes gray-cyanotic spots are observed on the face.

Wrong lifestyle and addictions as causes of a gray complexion

Little rest and walking, a short night's sleep, unhealthy diet - all this affects the complexion. It fades over time, becomes faded.

Improper nutrition, starvation of the body. Diet against gray complexion

A gray complexion (the reasons for women in some cases differ from those for men) can occur with improper diet, active smoking.

In women, it is often the result of strict diets that lead to dehydration and sleep problems. During the diet, the body does not receive enough vitamins, nutrients, and water. The volume of subcutaneous blood flow is reduced, which makes the skin pale and painful.

You can restore a vibrant fresh color with the help of vitamins, juices, water, which should be taken in sufficient quantities during diets.

Abuse of coffee, alcoholic beverages

Frequent caffeine consumption increases the amount of cortisol, ephedrine, and norepinephrine, as in the body's response to stress. Excess coffee has a negative effect on the digestive system. To restore fresh colors on your face, you should reduce the number of cups of coffee you drink a day to 4.

Alcohol has a detrimental effect on the skin. The pores expand, the skin coarsens, wrinkles multiply, and the face becomes unhealthy. Under the influence of frequent use of alcohol, red blood cells and other blood cells die, which leads to numerous chemical reactions that affect skin discoloration. It turns red or dull gray over time.

Stress, lack of sleep

Stress affects the condition of the skin. It becomes dull and lifeless. Strong emotions increase cortisol levels, which affects the regulation of blood flow to the skin.

Sleep is the time when cells regenerate and rejuvenate. If this period is shortened, the cells stop working optimally. To look your best, sleep at least 8-9 hours a night.

Hypodynamic lifestyle

Physical inactivity leads to a lack of oxygen, and the result is a lack of oxygenated blood, which leads to a gray and pale skin.

Active sports at least 3 times a week will help restore a healthy appearance.

Frequent and intense tanning, skin exposure to cold

Excessive use of tanning leads to loss of elasticity, imbalance in water balance, and promotes photoaging of the skin. In the future, the process of hyperpigmentation occurs. Therefore, over time, when the beautiful tan is gone, it looks dull and gray.

Low temperatures also negatively affect the condition of the skin. In winter, the skin is cleared more slowly, so an unhealthy gray complexion is caused by accumulated dead cells, dust, dirt on the upper layer of the epidermis.

Cosmetic products designed specifically for the cold season will help keep your skin cool during the cold season. These are creams, masks, lotions, which should be selected according to the hydrogen balance of the skin.

Lack of quality skin care

The skin constantly secretes dead cells, but if the process does not work effectively, then the skin looks dull, unhealthy, tired, which accentuates the wrinkles.

Dryness is a common cause of gray skin. Exfoliation removes the outer layer and the skin surface becomes smooth, transparent. To moisturize, you should use products with ceramides, which restore the barrier function of the skin, retain water, and hyaluronic acid, which strengthens the cell tissue.

Age changes

Along with gray hair, loss of skin firmness is a common symptom of old age. This is mainly caused by the loss of collagen and elastin. Complexion and texture also change over time. With aging, the skin becomes thinner - in some cases it is almost transparent, the complexion fades, becomes gray, and age spots appear.

Often the skin turns blue from bruises, especially women are susceptible to them. Over the years, the skin also becomes thinner and loses some of the protective fat layer that protects the blood vessels from injury.

Aspirin, anticoagulants, and antiplatelet agents reduce the blood's ability to clot. As a result, bleeding from damaged capillaries takes longer than usual, which contributes to the appearance of large bruises on the body of older people.

For prevention, blood should be donated to determine the number of platelets, the level of protein for early detection of possible diseases.

Diagnostics of the gray complexion

A woman, in order to understand what problems have arisen in her body, should pay attention to alarming symptoms.

The reasons for the appearance of a gray color on the face can be associated with disorders:

• heart diseases;
• improper functioning of the liver;
• skin diseases;
• psycho-emotional disorder;
• improper skin care;
• malnutrition, lack of vitamins.

Analyzes

At the first stage, a blood test should be taken: general and biochemical.

In the next step, you can do additional research:

• donate blood for sugar;
• check your cholesterol levels;
• conduct a glucose tolerance test.

After the results are obtained, you may need to consult an endocrinologist, nutritionist or gastroenterologist.

Instrumental diagnostics

If the color disturbance is associated with lung pathology, cardiovascular disorders, hypoxia, then research should be done:

• radiography of the lungs;
• check by pulse oximetry method;
• dopplerography;
• ECG;
• Ultrasound of internal organs.

Pharmacy preparations

A gray complexion (the reasons for women are individual and require diagnosis) in some cases can be corrected with drugs, ointments, vitamins.

Calcium chloride

If the cause of the gray color is a violation of the surface layer of the skin, then this can be corrected with calcium chloride. For this, a gentle peeling is carried out with a solution of calcium chloride. A greasy cream is applied to the cleansed face, and then the face is wiped with a cotton pad moistened with 5% calcium chloride solution.

After absorbing the liquid, calcium should be reapplied to the face. After 3-5 minutes. the liquid is applied a third time. Then the baby soap is foamed and rubbed onto the skin in a circular motion.

The result is a scrub on the face, which is washed off with chamomile infusion. As a result of the combination of calcium chloride and alkali, salts of higher carboxylic acids were formed, which helped to restore the complexion.

Ointment Panthenol

Regenerating preparation, 9% Panthenol, has a complex effect on the skin, activates cells, restores microcirculation. The cream can be used daily, as well as applied under cosmetics. Ointment, as an additional source of pantothenic acid and fats, works well for dry, discolored skin.

Ointment Radevit

The drug is indicated for external use on irritated skin with increased sensitivity in order to prevent aging. It is applied twice a day with a thin layer. The duration of therapy depends on the condition of the skin.

Cream Vitamin "F99"

Dermatotropic agent based on linoleic acid and ethyl esters. The ointment is available in two categories: bold and bold. It is applied to the surface of the face twice a day in a small layer.

Tiogamma 600

A drug that regulates lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Tablets are taken orally 1 pc. (600 mg) per day.

The course of treatment is 1 to 2 months. The active substance contained in the preparation helps to reduce glucose levels, increases the concentration of glycogen in the liver.

Vitamins

The skin always needs vitamins. Deficiency affects the development of negative processes, the skin becomes dull, discolored, irritated.

Vitamin supplements needed for the skin:

Name	Application features
Hemafemin	Increases estrogen production, restores the immune system, improves complexion, improves skin elasticity.
Vitrum beauty	The preparation is multivitamin, contains amino acids, improves skin structure, normalizes metabolism.
Perfectil	Eliminates dry skin, restores radiance to the skin, maintains skin tone.
Imedeen	Actively cares for the skin, moisturizes, improves skin color and structure, is a source of vitamin C and zinc.
Laura Collagen Drink	Bioadditive Solgar restores water balance, tightens the skin, improves color.

It is very difficult to get all vitamins in everyday life. You can't get around without additional complexes. They are necessary for the body, skin, hair.

Physiotherapy treatment

After diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe physiotherapy:

• ultrasound effect on the skin;
• microcurrent treatment;
• radio frequency lifting;
• galvanic face cleansing.

Homeopathy

Medical practice does not exclude treatment with natural substances in combination with an individual approach.

One of the methods of treatment is homeopathic mesotherapy:

• acupuncture: treatment with special needles inserted at specific points on the body;
• homotoxicology: it is based on the use of homeopathic medicines (the method is based on the theory of the deficiency of homotoxins in humans).

Homemesotherapy is used in dermatology in the treatment of chronic diseases, in aesthetic medicine to maintain the tone of facial muscles, eliminate dull complexion, age spots.

Folk remedies for smoothing skin tone

A gray complexion (causes in women often depend on the degree of destruction of cells in the surface layer of the skin) can be eliminated with homemade masks.

Carrot mask

Ingredients for making the mask according to the first recipe:

• Carrot juice - 1 tbsp l. (the vegetable can be grated on a fine grater).
• Egg white - 1 tbsp l.
• Natural yogurt - 1 tbsp. l.

How to cook:

1. It is required to mix the ingredients until completely dissolved.
2. Apply the puree to a clean face and neck.
3. Leave the mask for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Recipe 2:

1. Peel 2-3 large carrots and cut them into small circles. Boil until soft.
2. Mash the carrots in a bowl with a fork.
3. Gradually add honey to the carrots (2-3 tbsp. l.), stirring constantly until the mixture becomes creamy.
4. Add some olive oil.
5. Apply to skin, leave for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

Carrots are antiseptic, they tone and rejuvenate the skin. Suitable for normal to oily skin. If you add other moisturizing ingredients such as honey and avocado, then the mask is suitable for dry skin.

Black tea

This tea, fruit and oil mask will help moisturize your skin.

Ingredients:

• brewed black tea, 3 tbsp. l .;
• flour, 3 tbsp. l .;
• kiwi, 1 pc.;
• almond oil extract, 2-3 drops.

How to cook:

1. It is required to mix flour with almond oil.
2. Add the brewed tea, mix everything well.
3. Remove the ripe part from the kiwi, mash and add to the mixture.
4. Apply the resulting mass on the face and leave for 15–20 minutes.
5. Wash off with warm water.

To refresh the complexion, you can apply a soft cloth soaked in tea to it and hold it for 15 minutes. Next, you should wash your face after drying.

Beer based mask

Beer contains B vitamins, hops, saccharides and yeast, which remove dead cells and even out the skin.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg white;
• ½ tbsp. beer (any brand);
• 2 h l. fresh lime juice.

How to cook:

• You need to beat the egg white, gradually add beer and lime juice.
• Apply a mask to your face.
• After 10 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Peach mask

Peach rejuvenates dull, gray skin, improves elasticity, increases the level of surface lipids.

Ingredients for the product:

• ½ peach puree;
• yogurt 1 tbsp. l.

Howcook:

• You need to mash the peach in a small bowl,
• Add yogurt, mix everything.
• Apply to face and leave for 10-15 minutes.
• Rinse everything off with warm water.

The reasons for the appearance of a gray complexion in women are not always associated with diseases and aging of the skin. More often than not, it is a cosmetic problem. Signs of hypersensitivity and dryness can always be solved with the help of properly selected creams and cosmetic procedures.

Author: Belyaeva Anna

Video about gray complexion

Causes, symptoms of a gray complexion: