Does stress cause skin problems?

• October 13, 2023

Can stress affect our skin? You’d be surprised.

Beauties, we all have been feeling some kind of stress haven’t we?
When dealing with everything life throws at us in today’s modern world, it’s like our skin raises the white flag and says “I’m under pressure too!”
You see, stress doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter if it’s major stress or just a minor problem; our skin reacts to it all like a drama queen.
So how does stress affect our skin and how can we treat it? We asked Dr. Costi for some explanations.

The Stress effect on skin
When stress appears, your body unleashes “stress hormones” – think adrenaline and cortisol. These can mess with things like blood flow to your skin, and especially cause irritation and rashes. But that’s not all, there’s a bunch of other stress-related skin dramas:

– Temporary hair loss and a tender scalp: Sometimes, stressful events like loss or major surgeries can lead to this.

– Vitiligo: If it runs in the family, extreme or sudden stress may bring this condition into the spotlight. It causes white patches to pop up on your skin.

– Adrenergic Urticaria: This is a fancy way of saying stress can also gift you “hives” – those itchy, red bumps that like to surprise you.

But here’s the bigger issue: ongoing stress can actually weaken your immune system. It’s like rolling out the red carpet for infections and skin issues. These are autoimmune diseases where your body goes into overdrive, attacking its own cells.
Oh, and say hello to inflammatory troublemaker, rosacea! It’s the culprit behind that unwanted redness and visible blood vessels on your face.
And if you’re already dealing with a skin condition like acne, stress is like the evil twin that makes it worse. Stress can also trigger flare-ups from other issues like infections – think cold sores from the herpes simplex virus. It usually hangs out quietly, but stress can wake it up for a wild party.

How to respond to stress

Stress is sneaky, and avoiding it is like trying to dodge raindrops. Watch out for the signs and have a healthy routine to avoid increasing its bad effect on your health.
– Stress can keep you tossing and turning at night. It’s like an itch you can’t scratch. That’s not a good combo for a peaceful slumber.
– When stress calls, you might find yourself reaching for sugary and fatty comfort foods, plus caffeine and that sneaky cigarette. But they’re not your skin’s BFFs. Alcohol and caffeine can give you redness, while smoking and overindulging can make psoriasis throw a tantrum.
– Stress may also give rise to “body-focused repetitive behaviors.” These are those habits like pulling hair, picking at your skin – they release a short-term “feel-good” hormone but are trouble in the long run.

The Anti-Stress Action Plan
Now, here’s the good stuff – how to take on stress like a skin warrior:

– Fill your diet with fresh fruits, good fats, and nuts. Your skin loves this goodness!
– Get the rest and sleep that your skin needs to recover and rejuvenate.
– Move your body with a regular exercise routine to boost circulation and your mood.
– Start your day with a few minutes of deep breathing to calm your nerves and bring down cortisol levels. It’s a game-changer!
– Don’t forget to drink water. Hydration is your bestie in the fight against stress.
– And of course, a killer skincare routine with natural products is essential.
Avoid any comedogenic products that could block your pores and add to the problem instead of solving it. Look for products that contain anti-oxidants, hyaluronic acid and squalane, all ingredients that will attract water and keep it at the skin’s protective barrier to help fight the signs of stress.
Find everything you need on Skin Perfection.com

Just like stress can accumulate over the years, taking care of yourself can become your best weapon to fight it. And if you need a little extra help, book your appointment today with Dr. Costi.

Stay safe out there, skin warriors 😊💪🌟