The Effects of Stress on Your Skin

Everyone will experience stress in their lifetime. Sometimes it can take its toll on more than just our mental health. Maybe you just got a new job, moved to a new city, or life’s daily struggles have been adding up lately. Everyone has different stress triggers. It may take a toll on some physically and others mentally, or both. Either way, physical and mental stress often show themselves through skin problems such as acne, rashes, or by making current skin issues even worse. If you are noticing these effects of stress the dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute have tips to help.

Stress on Our Skin

Stress is normal to a degree. However, when it becomes overwhelming, it can lead to further mental and physical challenges. These challenges can lead to the body’s chemical response to stress, resulting in overly sensitive and more reactive skin. When our bodies are under stress, our hormones become imbalanced. This causes the skin to make more oil, which leads to acne and can cause the skin to breakout. It can also make pre-existing skin conditions worse. Some of these may include exasperating rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis. Hives and rashes are also common when stress becomes an issue. Stress may even cause loss of elasticity in the face, resulting in wrinkled skin or bags under the eyes. Gray hair may also occur. Melanocyte cells produce the pigment that gives your hair color. Stress can cause a severe disruption of the cells resulting in the hair losing its color and turning gray. While stress will always be a part of life, there are ways to take care of yourself and your skin to make the effects less of a burden.

Stopping the Stress and Its Effects

Knowing how to manage stress and what is causing it can keep it from having an effect on your skin. First, stick to your skincare routine even when you’re very busy or stressed. Skipping your routine could result in an unhealthy complexion and skin issues to arise.

A consistent exercise routine can also help you manage stress and keeps your skin healthy. Exercise improves blood flow and increases the oxygen and nutrients in the skin. This results in collagen production that helps keep our skin tight and young. Adding yoga or meditation to your exercise routine can help keep you focused and provide excellent stress relief and time to reflect on deeper issues.

Of course, spending some time taking care of our skin with a facial or other treatment can help us de-stress for the time being. It can also give you an extra boost to your skin that you may need after stress has taken its toll on the face.

If stress has gotten to you and your skin, do your best to refocus and pinpoint what is triggering it.

Let Us Help

Life can be stressful, but the dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute do not want it to get the best of you and your skin. If you are in the Bloomington, Illinois and surrounding areas, we can help get your stress under control.