How Stress Manifests on Your Face

Have you been bogged down by work lately and find yourself unable to maintain work-life balance? Do you spend your nights scrolling through social media platforms, getting less than 6 hours of sleep followed by a cranky and unproductive day? Not only this, but disorientation, no focus, wavering mind and thoughts, fatigue and exhaustion – these are all symptoms of stress.

If you are one of those who believes that the stress effect on face is not visible, you may want to reconsider. The skin is the largest organ of the body, often reflecting what’s happening inside the body. Therefore, excess stress can negatively impact your skin and hair condition. Persistent stress can also increase the risk of depression. It can trigger many lifestyle conditions such as high blood pressure and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Our brain and skin are linked. Therefore, chronic stress from work, relationships, financial situation, or current events and surroundings exerts both mental and physical pressure on your body. While mentally, one struggles to cope with stress and anxiety, stress on face is clearly evident. Stress effect on face can make you look aged and dull, making it more vulnerable to itch, inflammation, and irritation. A few symptoms of chronic stress also include biting of lips, nails, and the insides of your cheeks or grinding your teeth.

Skin Health and Stress

Your glands produce more oil (sebum) when you are stressed and more cortisol (the stress hormone), thereby clogging pores and causing acne in individuals who are more prone to skin outbreaks. At times, the stress effect on the face can also trigger skin conditions such as eczema (dry and itchy patches on the skin) and psoriasis (a rash with itchy and scaly patches on the skin), causing these conditions to flare up.

The outermost layer of the skin is the stratum corneum, which contains proteins and lipids to keep the skin hydrated. Any impact or wear and tear of this layer can cause the underneath layers to feel itchy and inflamed. Chronic stress can also weaken your immunity. A weakened and compromised immune system can cause you to fall sick more often. It can also lead to bacterial imbalance in your gut and skin, causing a skin condition known as dysbiosis, which results in redness or rash.

Facial Expressions and Wrinkles

Stress can have a huge impact on how our skin ages. Stress hormones break down the collagen and elastin in skin and prevent the skin from rejuvenating and looking fresh. This can cause premature aging and lead to more fine lines and wrinkles.

When an individual is stressed, that sense of anxiety or tension is evident on their facial expressions, giving them a solemn, serious, and unhappy look.

Dark Circles and Puffiness

Stress can lead to many sleepless nights, which further results in dark circles, puffy eyes, and a less-than-healthy sleep cycle. As one ages, the supporting muscles around your eyes weaken, resulting in a saggy appearance. Such a stress effect on face also makes you look tired and unwell.

Hair Loss and Thinning

Excess stress is also associated with increasing hair fall and hair thinning. During stressful situations, the body prioritizes survival over hair growth, which can push hair follicles into a resting phase, leading to thinning of hair, greying, and even balding.

How to cope with stress?

Lifestyle modifications are necessary to keep stress at bay. Take a look at the following few habits you can adopt for your mental peace and overall health:

• Use relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, and visualization, or practice yoga for a healthy mind and body.
• Exercising daily releases happy hormones called dopamine, which uplifts your mood and leaves you with a glowing skin.
• Get 7-8 hours of sleep regularly, allowing your body to repair. When you sleep well, you are refreshed and refueled to seize the following day.
• Practice skin and hair care amidst stressful situations to divert your mind.
• Maintain a work-life balance. Draw a strict line between the two. Don’t bring your work at home and carry household issues or complications to your workplace.
• Pursue your interests and make time for your hobbies.
• Talk to your family members, friends, or any mental health expert who can help you deal with stress.
• Refrain from consuming alcohol or smoking as these ill habits can further trigger stress and harm your health.

Seeking Professional Help

Skin and Hair Academy’s online portal, Find a Dermatologist, can connect you with expert dermatologists who specialise in addressing skin and hair issues. The platform supports a vast network of experienced healthcare professionals, who can ensure personalized care and guidance. Prioritise your health and make optimal use of this resource to access the expertise needed for your skin and hair condition.

Conclusion

As it is famously said, when life throws lemons at you, make a lemonade. In the same way, think through every stressful situation without panicking. You will find a solution to every problem. While you cannot control external factors, ensure that you can manage your stress so it doesn’t affect your hair, skin, or your whole well-being.

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