Acne has been attributed to many causes, such as hormones, poor hygiene, eating greasy foods and chocolate and getting stressed out emotionally. Some of them are legitimate, while others have been proven false by scientific research. Researchers have looked at the potential link between stress and acne and found supporting evidence to back up its causal nature.
Definition
Acne is a common skin problem characterized by skin lesions and cysts that manifest as pimples, blackheads and whiteheads, according to the Mayo Clinic. It breaks out when pores get clogged with too much oil and dead skin cells. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that it affects about 40 to 50 million people in the United States each year. Most are teenagers, but it can affect adults up to age 50 and beyond.
Research
Several studies have backed up the assertion that stress can cause and exacerbate acne. For example, Dr. Susan Chon, M.D. and Dr. Alexa Kimball, M.D. of Standford University School of Medicine found that students who were under stress because of upcoming exams had worse pimple outbreaks. The severity of acne rose along with the stress level.
Effects
Stress appears to cause and worsen acne outbreaks for several reasons, according to the Acne Resource Center. It causes the adrenal glands to make more hormones, which can trigger acne by increasing oil production. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed a potential link to the brain, too. The brain produces stress-related chemicals that can stimulate production of excess oil.
Stress also impedes the natural healing process, which can make pimples and lesions last longer. The Acne Resource Center states that stress can slow down healing by as much as 40 percent in some people.
Considerations
More than half of all patients who visit a doctor for acne and other skin problems also have emotional turmoil in their lives, according to Ted Grossbart, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Harvard Medical School. He warns that stress can keep traditional acne treatments from working effectively if it is not also addressed as part of a holistic treatment plan. Grossbart states that stress is not just related to acne. It appears to worsen other skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Treatment
O'rya Hyde-Keller, a contributing editor for Natural Solutions magazine, cites a new field called psychodermatology, which involves treatment of skin disorders along with emotional problems. Some practitioners have both medical and psychology degrees, but Hyde-Keller states that many doctors look at the mind/body connection even if they do not have special training. Many integrate methods like meditation, hypnosis and biofeedback into their treatment plans or refer patients to counseling while they also use traditional acne-fighting remedies.
