The Relationship Between Your Skin and Stress Levels

 

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Your skin and stress are interlinked, and you can literally wear your inner emotions on your face. Mental stress takes its toll on the body in physical manifestations and can become a severe problem. From the impact on your skin to practices to remove them, here is a quick guide.

Skin and Stress are Connected

Stress on your mind as well as on your body can show itself in numerous ways. For skin, stress can become visible with acne, dullness, and redness. There are many remedies available for combating these, but you can have a hard time getting rid of them if you are constantly stressed or don’t find ways to reduce stress in your life. Treatments such as laser skin rejuvenation are powerful and transformative and can typically yield better results than off-the-shelf products.

The Physical Impact of Skin

There are many physical manifestations that mental stress can cause on your skin. The main reason is that stress releases a hormone called cortisol, which wreaks havoc on your body and mind. Cortisol is a stress chemical, and too much increases feelings of depression. Physically, cortisol overproduction weakens the skin’s barrier, resulting in clogged pores. This leads to problems such as redness, acne, and dull-looking skin due to reduced oxygen and nutrients.

Your Skin and Stress Show Visible Signs

Around 50% of women begin to show visible issues with skin at a young age, even though most don’t try to look younger after 50. Even so, there are visible signs of stress that show on your skin beginning in your teens that can last until you are settled and into your golden years.

  • More cortisol results in issues such as acne that clog pores and cause inflammation.

  • Stress can make existing conditions worse, such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.

  • A loss of moisture and dull skin can be the result of an impaired skin barrier function.

Mind-Body Practices Can Help

Of course, it is always advisable to seek treatments and discuss mental and physical skin issues with experts such as doctors and pharmacists. However, it is often the case that even some of the best off-the-shelf products don’t help much. This is because the underlying cause of skin irritation and weakening is internal stress. However, some people find that activities such as meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises help reduce issues such as skin redness.

Seeking Professional Guidance

Going through life with visible skin issues can cause depression and social awkwardness, given the emphasis on perfection and conventional beauty these days. If skin problems persist and are causing you greater stress, it is always recommended that you seek professional help from a skin doctor. They can work with you on removing the problem. But more importantly, medical help can also help identify the underlying issues that cause them, and work on further treatment.

Summary

Skin and stress are connected, and are highlighted by your skin and stress levels becoming elevated, which results in issues such as redness. There are also other visible signs that you are stressed, such as acne, and seeking medical guidance is always recommended.

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