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Normally, we talk about how stress affects emotional or physical health, leading to situations that often normalize, such as anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or digestive problems, among others. But do you know the effects of stress on the skin?
The skin is the body's largest organ, and there is an embryological relationship between it and the nervous system, making stress-related skin problems quite common.
The Why of the Effects of Stress on the Skin:
Stress affects the dermis through various mechanisms. When we are exposed to stress spikes that last too long, the adrenal glands produce excess cortisol and adrenaline.
When feeling stressed, cortisol instructs the body to reduce blood flow to the muscles, heart, lungs, and brain. This is done as a rapid response to prepare for fight, flight, or freeze. But in this alteration of blood circulation, the skin is greatly affected.
Moreover, cortisol lowers skin defenses, promoting inflammation. It also raises blood sugar levels and suppresses the digestive system, leading to the appearance of stress-related effects on the skin.
Effects of Stress on the Skin:
As we have mentioned, stress is a body's response to adverse situations, but when it becomes chronic, it affects the entire body, including the skin. It can cause sagging, blemishes, a lackluster appearance, dehydration, loss of elasticity, and the appearance of wrinkles or itching.
There are also a number of scientifically related diseases to stress, increased cortisol levels, and adrenaline stimulation. The most significant ones are:
Acne:
Hormonal factors play a key role in acne, and an increasing number of dermatologists emphasize the importance of the emotional factor, confirming the effects of stress on the skin.
Dermatitis:
It is the most common skin inflammation when there is stress and causes dry skin and eczema in any part of the body. It can be seborrheic or atopic.
Psoriasis:
This is a chronic skin condition that causes redness and irritation, resulting in outbreaks that typically occur in stressful situations.
Excoriations:
In these cases, stress leads the affected person to scratch the skin, causing itching and scratching cycles. As a result, lesions can occur due to continuous and compulsive scratching.
Vitiligo:
It is an autoimmune disease in which the body's defenses attack melanin-producing cells, resulting in depigmented patches. Despite having a genetic component, stress contributes to its development.
Rosacea:
This condition is chronic and affects the face, with periods of improvement and worsening. Emotional factors, particularly stress, worsen the appearance of these outbreaks that redden the face.
How to Prevent the Effects of Stress on the Skin:
It is crucial to maintain a balanced diet that includes all necessary nutrients. Additionally, we can contribute to skin improvement by including a dietary supplement that helps repair the skin from the inside.
This is the case with Skin Cure from Matcha & CO. Developed to radically improve the skin's protective barrier, as well as hydration, firmness, and elasticity. It contains a unique blend of probiotics specific to skin health, along with collagen, hyaluronic acid, matcha, and vitamin B2.
The type I collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in Skin Cure come from the egg membrane, a new vegetarian source to enhance the skin's protective barrier, reduce inflammation, and prevent skin aging while promoting hydration and elasticity. Additionally, collagen also benefits your bones and joints.
Furthermore, it is also important to work on mental well-being to effectively prevent stress. It is natural to feel stress in certain situations, but it is essential to avoid it becoming chronic to prevent the negative effects it can have on the skin.
Practices that help reduce stress:
- Engage in regular physical exercise.
- Practice yoga or meditation.
- Use breathing techniques during stressful moments.
- Spend time in nature regularly.
- Enjoy leisure time.
- Dedicate time to self-care.
- Seek help if necessary.
