Stressed? What it does to your Skin

Unfortunately, stress has become a daily part of our lives. Pending job cuts at the office. Our economy. Back-to-back final exams. A messy divorce. An unexpected surgery. While everyone knows that stress can take a toll on a person physically and psychologically, it also has a tremendous effect on your skin.

Stress signals the body to produce adrenaline (epinephrine) and non epinephrine. These two hormones cause the class "fight or flight" response. Increases in heart and breathing rate, quickened muscle reaction and general readiness for an emergency response occur in response to these hormones. In times of "fight or flight," the flow of blood (and nutrients) is directed to areas considered non-essential, such as the skin. This condition can decrease blood flow, oxygen and nutrients to the skin making it dull and lifeless, less supple, less hydrated and more prone to clogged pores and breakouts.

When a person becomes stressed, the level of the body's stress hormone (cortisol) rises and under normal circumstances, stress hormones tend to ebb and flow throughout the day. Chronic stress changes the body's biochemistry, maintaining high levels of cortisol over long periods of time. These increased levels have several effects: (1) blocks production of estrogen, which in women can lead to an overall increase in male androgenic hormones (2) increased androgenic hormone levels can enlarge oil glands and increase skin oil production causing flare ups of acne and complexion problems, and (3) higher levels of androgen are also associated with thinning of hair.

Stress also affects hair by changing the normal ration of growing hairs to resting hairs, to a larger percentage of hairs moving over to the resting phase. Suddenly, one's hair seems to be rapidly falling out and becoming quite thin. This condition, known as Telogen Effluvium, is a fairly common hair loss problem and it may not present itself for up to three months after a stressful event. After the initial hair loss, hair usually grows back within six to nine months.

The skin's barrier function has been found to be a very complex system necessary to protect us from the external environment. Two recent studies have shown that the increase in cortisol induced by psychological stress causes abnormalities in the skin's barrier which can exacerbate skin diseases and hasten aging of our skin. Chronic inflammation occurs when the skin barrier is damaged- the result is aging of the skin.

Stress can manifest itself on one's appearance in many ways, but primarily by making the skin more sensitive and more reactive. While there is still a debate whether stress actually causes skin disorders, most agree that stress definitely triggers or aggravates skin conditions such as acne, hives and eczema. Stress can make psoriasis or acne rosacea worse, result in acne lesions that are more inflamed and more persistent, cause brittle nails and ridging of the nails and is associated with hives.

Beyond the direct physiological effects of stress, patients under stress also tend to neglect or abuse their skin. It is important to continue with proper nutrition, adequate sleep, exercise, de-stressing techniques and to adhere to your skin care regimens. These will all help your skin stay healthy and beautiful.