Explained: How does stress worsen skin problems?

Are you exhausted from following strict skincare routines eating well and yet experiencing worsened skin conditions It is time for you to address the elephant in the room and that is your mental health Not many might be aware of this but chronic stress might be gradually affecting your skin rendering expensive and regular skincare routines ineffective for manyldquoMental wellbeing is an extremely important factor to regulate hormonal equilibrium in the human body Skin is the largest organ of the body and is an important target for stress responses both acute and chronicrdquo says Dr Nilam Jain Kothari consultant dermatologist at Masina hospital MumbaiAs Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta wellness aesthetician explains stress is the bodyrsquos response to external challenges and pressure which can produce cortisol also known as the bodyrsquos stress hormone Cortisol in turn causes an increase in oil production and triggers emotioninduced sweatldquoEmotioninduced sweat is secreted and excreted from the apocrine glands located in your scalp groin and armpits And this kind of sweat is denser and fattier than the sweat we normally produce due to exercising This sweat is a breeding site for many bacteria which collectively with increased oil production cause acne breakouts or many more skin conditionsrdquo says GuptaMoreover stress also triggers production of histamine chemicals which can cause allergies in the body These can lead to reactions on the skin such as itching redness dryness and undesirable flaresWhat kind of effects can one see on their skin when they experience stressKothari Stress causes increase in levels of stress mediators increased release of steroids glucocorticoids and adrenaline which in turn can cause significant changes in immune responses and exaggerated inflammatory response It is now known that the skin and hair follicular keratinocytes also have receptors for Corticotropin releasing hormone and Adrenocorticotropic hormones which activate inflammatory responses causing increased melanogenesis production of melanin pigments increased sebum production increased mast cell degranulation angiogenesis and proinflammatory responsesThus stress can act as a trigger for inflammatory skin conditions premature ageing and delayed wound healing and premature termination of hair growth Conditions like acne eczema psoriasis rosacea and vitiligo can cause emotional stress ndash which as we know can end up making symptoms worseHow can one identify that stress is affecting their skin What are the common indicatorsGupta Anxiety can cause quite a few issues when it comes to your skin such as stress rashes hives and excessive sweating These conditions can be uncomfortable sometimes itchy or painful and may even impact how you feel about yourselfCommon indicators are1 Rashes2 Itching3 Sweating4 Acne5 Redness6 Flaring up of chronic conditions like acne rosacea psoriasis eczema etcIs it just a oneway impact or a particular kind of skin condition irritation that also triggers stressKothari Chronic skin and hair conditions can generally cause significant changes in the quality of life of patients due to excessive psychological stress This is especially seen in patients with skin conditions affecting the appearance and cosmesis like vitiligo alopecia psoriasis lichen planus and atopic dermatitisIn present times stress is like an everyday affair for people At what level can one start witnessing the impactGupta Yes we all experience stress in our daytoday life Mild stress wonrsquot cause any serious skin conditionsBut when this stress starts interfering in the skin care routine your diet sleep pattern aggravates any chronic illness and when it is not managed on a daily basis then one can start witnessing the impactIf daily skincare routine is interfered with due to stress what are the ways in which people can tackle the situationGupta Some methods to tackle the skin conditions due to stress1 One of the most proven methods to tackle the condition is to meditate and exercise regularly One should include exercises in their daily routine despite their busy routine2 One must have a wellbalanced and nutritious diet in a timely manner daily3 Have proper sleep for six to eight hours4 Always wear sun protection formula when you go out to avoid any damage due to sun rays and signs of flaring up5 Avoid dryness Moisturise three times a day Look for barrier repairing ingredients like hyaluronic acid ceramides glycerine petrolatum squalene vitamin E in your moisturiser6 Reduce dullness by using hyaluronic acid and ceramides in your skin care routine7 Restrict salt and alcohol intake8 Treat allergies avoid constant eye rubbing sleep adequately avoid excessive sun exposure9 Products with caffeine vitamin K1 kojic acid peptides retinols and Vitamin C may helpKothari Seeing a dermatologist regularly to keep the recurrences in check is essential Barrier function of skin is extremely important to keep recurrences of autoimmune diseases especially atopic dermatitis and eczema in check Moisturising daily is the keyAlso read Do you feel burned out Why it is urgent for Indian employers to act on employeesrsquo poor mental health