The link between our brains and the condition of our skin is only just beginning to be fully understood, and it can be underestimated as a contributing factor to a range of issues including eczema, rosacea, psoriasis and acne. One of the biggest enemies to clear healthy skin is stress.
Unfortunately, stress is an inescapable part of life for many of us. Not all stress is bad for us, and some people thrive under pressure as they feel more motivated, energised, and clear headed. However, chronic stress can lead to hormonal upheaval, and this can stimulate adverse reactions such as excess sebum production and inflammation.
If you suffer from a condition such as acne, you may have already noticed the connection between a stressful episode and a flare up of spots and pimples. Our skin also tends to heal less slowly when we are stressed, because the collagen and elastin that are key to skin cell rejuvenation are suppressed by stress hormones such as cortisol.
This can make it more likely that the skin will develop acne scarring. Acne itself can add to stress levels, because many people find that it makes them feel self-conscious and less confident in social situations or at work. Stress also weakens the immune system, making skin more prone to irritation and infection.
Tips for managing stress to improve skin health
A holistic approach to encompass the mind and body can help to support our skin health and manage stress levels. Everyone’s response to stress is unique, so it may take some time and persistence to discover what works best for you.
Some people respond well to mindfulness and meditation techniques that combine deep breathing with gentle stretching and visualisation exercises. For others, more strenuous physical exercise helps to combat stress by elevating the level of feel-good hormones such as endorphins.
Time management can help those who feel overwhelmed by life’s demands and struggle to find enough time to relax, socialise, or take part in hobbies or sports. Learning how to prioritise tasks or delegate work to others can help to ease the pressure.
A balanced diet, adequate sleep, and a consistent skincare routine can also help to combat flare ups of angry skin.
If your skin is scarred and it causes you emotional distress, you may want to practise stress management techniques alongside professional cosmetic skin treatments such as microdermabrasion. This is a minimally invasive procedure that involves a deep cleanse and exfoliation, followed by extraction, hydration, tightening and antioxidant infusion.
This comprehensive skin treatment minimises enlarged and congested pores and smooths and evens out the skin tone, lessening the appearance of acne scars. It takes around 45 minutes to 90 minutes and causes minimal downtime. The skin may feel a little tender afterwards but this should disappear within 48 hours.
The results will last for around six weeks, with clearer and brighter looking skin that has an even and smooth tone.
