How does stress affect your skin?
Whether it’s looming deadlines at work, financial worries, or an argument with a loved one, stress is a part and parcel of our lives. However, when it stretches over a long period of time and disrupts your daily routine, your body will be affected. One area where stress can be particularly harmful is our skin.
Continue reading and get to know how stress can show on our skin!
You may have acne.
A sudden outbreak of acne can be a sign that your stress levels are starting to rise beyond what you might be comfortable with. This is caused by a spike in cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone”, which is produced by our body when we are in a situation that is perceived as dangerous or stressful.
Cortisol can also trigger the production of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH). It causes the sebaceous glands to release an excess amount of oil, leading to a higher chance of having clogged pores and acne.
The acne you experience during this period might also take a longer time to go away as higher levels of stress can slow down the rate at which our wounds heal, and this applies to acne too!
You may develop stress rashes.
Easily mistaken for an allergic reaction or rosacea, stress rashes can resemble hives with their raised and red bumps. It doesn’t just affect the face but can appear on any part of the body and can take the form of tiny dots or large welts.
Having this condition may cause you to worry but it usually goes away on its own. However, you should avoid scratching or picking at them even when they start to itch or tingle.
Your skin may be dull and dry.
Our epidermis barrier, the top layer of our skin that protects us from microbes and retains hydration, can be disrupted by stress. This can lead to our skin becoming dull and dry. Adding on, if it’s combined with other factors such as a persistent lack of sleep or usage of tobacco, it can worsen the condition.
How can you reduce stress?
Stress can have a significant impact on your skin, but we can alleviate it by reducing the stress levels within ourselves. Finding ways to cope with it can help us smoothen our journey through life. Read on to see our recommendations on how you can do it!
Make time for self-care:
Self-care is all about dedicating time to focus on no one but you!
It can take the form of soothing spas to relax your body or invigorating facials to soothe your mind. Some may prefer reading a book in a quiet cafe, while others would choose to have lunch with a friend.
There’s no right or wrong way to self-care. It is all about taking care of your well-being, both physical and mental.
Have a healthy routine:
Adopting a healthy routine may do wonders for your stress levels!
It may seem like a difficult task as it may be misunderstood as making drastic changes overnight. However, it can be as simple as going to bed an hour earlier or going for a short jog every day after work.
Speak about your feelings:
Bottling up your thoughts and emotions is well known to be detrimental, so why not let them out to a trusted friend or therapist? Having an outlet to express your emotions can be helpful in managing stress levels.
Do you need help with stressed skin?
If you are experiencing skin issues related to stress, don’t hesitate to contact us at CuraMed or book an appointment for help and guidance.
Together, we can prioritize our mental and physical health and make our journey through life a smoother and happier one!
Want to know more about SPF in skincare?