Stress has a variety of effects on your overall general health and is known to cause anxiety, bloating, jitters and even increased blood pressure. Stress may also affect our skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. As explained by clinical psychologist and dermatologist Richard Fried, M.D., Ph.D., FAAD, stress may have several impacts on skin health and appearance. Understanding these effects may help you protect your skin and your body from the adverse effects of stress.
Sensitivity
Stress places stress on the hormone and chemical reactions in the body which may reduce the skin's ability to fight inflammation and bacteria. According to Fried of the American Academy of Dermatology, stress may leave the skin more sensitive and worsen current skin conditions, such as psoriasis and rosacea.
Acne
Flare-ups of skin conditions, such as eczema, acne, psoriasis and rosacea, may increase as a person is exposed to stress, states Flor Mayoral, M.D., FAAD to the Science Daily website. Mayoral explains that as individuals grow stressed, levels of cortisol in the body rise, promoting oily skin, which often leads to outbreaks of acne.
Accelerated Aging
Damage to skin caused by long term stress or exposure to stress over time can lead not only to skin conditions like acne and eczema, but also accelerated aging of the skin, says the Help Guide website. High levels of stress and the production of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body can lead to damage and destruction of skin cells, leaving the skin dry. Benjamin V. Treadwell, Ph.D., states that stress causes cellular destruction at multiple levels, from the skin to major organs in the body.
