Have you noticed how many articles have been written about skin problems, especially on the face? We’re always talking about redness, pimples, and the ways how to get rid of them. Often, we get so caught up in the world of cosmetics and skincare that we don’t realize that the root cause can be something entirely different other than the external factors. Quite often, the reason for various skin conditions but stress. Have you ever wondered how our skin reacts the stress?
OUR LIFESTYLE AS A REASON OF OUR HEALTH PROBLEMS
Today, many of us live in a highly emotional mode and stress is an inalienable part of our lifestyle. We must be thinking too little about how anxiety and uncontrollable stress affect every aspect of our organism – otherwise, we would be more conscious. Our skin is the largest organ of the body and it’s no wonder that plenty of skin-related problems emerge as a result of continuous stresses. Common itchy and burning red and pink spots on the skin are sometimes just a result of a long-lasting distressful lifestyle. Therefore, a substantial number of skin ailments are just the way our skin reacts the stress.
YOUR WORRIES ARE ON YOUR SKIN
There are a lot of causes of red spots on a face like a sign of illness, a flare-up of an unwanted skin condition, or allergy. But often, when they appear during times of intense stress, they are the result of anxiety. Why there is such a strong correlation between
During intrauterine development, a fertilized cell begins to develop in three directions. As a result – bones, muscles, and connective tissue – are formed from the ectodermal sheet which forms the internal organs. Therefore, skin cells, sensory organs, and nervous system cells are formed from the same embryonic sheet known as the ectoderm.
Our skin is riddled with nerve endings. During stress, the nervous system sends random impulses that disrupt blood circulation, cell function, salivation, etc. Disfunction of nerve endings in the skin can lead to unreasonable allergies to ordinary things. So, there is no wonder why all the worries and negative emotions have a depressing effect on the skin. That is the way our skin reacts the stress.
To a certain extent, we can compare skin with a cranky child who under distressed circumstances uses the only available language – to cry out about the problems. Scientists have proven that skin sensitivity is an increased susceptibility to the effects of physiological and emotional factors. Acne, redness, and dry areas are the messages that our nervous system sends us through the skin. Sometimes they can be a cry for help and sometimes they are just a signal to the owner to change something.
DULLNESS
A disrupted nervous system can lead to a variety of skin disorders like increased moisture loss, and uncontrolled pigmentation or metabolism disruption. In times of stress, we neglect a healthy diet, proper hydration, and most often than not deprive sleep hours.
Studies show that proper hydration improves skin condition while water deprivation leads to the skin’s dehydration and dullness. Therefore, you should try to drink 2 liters of water a day and include greens, fruit, and veggies in your diet. That way, it will keep skin healthy and can cheer up a depressed or stressed person.
SKIN AGING
With lost hours of our sleep, we lose a big portion of our nerve cells and health in general. Researches show that sleep plays a big part in skin health. According to this study, sleep deprivation leads to faster skin aging, more stress, thus entailing other malaises.
Thankfully, once you get to a normal sleep with firm 8 hours of sleep a day, your skin, health, mood, and life, in general, will improve drastically. Don’t forget to sleep well starting today!
TEMPERATURE-RELATED SPOTS
During intense stress and anxiety, our bodies heat up, releasing a chemical component, known as histamine. An increased temperature can lead to the appearance of rashes on the body. This is a chemical element that is released in the skin because of an allergic reaction.
Having formed and risen to the surface, histamine creates cells that appear as red spots on the skin. Temperature-related spots can cause a rash anywhere on the body, but more commonly they appear on the face, neck, chest, and belly.
ECZEMA
Eczema appears in a form of sometimes extreme irritation and dryness. This is a true sign of an unhealthy skin condition that happens because of some either external or internal irritating factors. According to Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI emotional stress is not a direct cause of eczema, but it can provoke its symptoms. Cortisol, a hormone that is released when under stress, increases inflammation throughout the body, causing skin inflammation and eczema.
BLEMISHES
Individuals who used to have massive skin blemishes know that their skin becomes irritated in times of anxiety. Chickenpox is related to the herpes virus, and like herpes, it never leaves our bodies. During times of intense or outgoing stress, the virus becomes more active. In this case, a very itchy and painful viral outbreak known as shingles can take place. Those who had chickenpox in the past may be more prone to shingle outbreaks.
HOW MODERN COSMETOLOGY FACILITIES ADDRESS THE PROBLEM
Modern cosmetology products have various compositions and approaches, but all of them have the same goal. The common purpose of all the latest inventions in this area is to calm the dermis nerve endings and make them function normally. Numerous ways like aromatherapy, extracts of plants, minerals, and even targeted neuromolecules are all used to “make a deal” with nerve endings in the skin. In their turn, magnesium and selenium ions are excellent for relieving irritation.
Professional cosmetologists warn that when the skin is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, you should avoid peels.
MICROBIOME – OUR NATURAL PROTECTOR
Recent scientific researches have proven the influence of the microbiome on skin hypersensitivity. The microbiome is a set of microorganisms that live on the surface of the epidermis and perform a protective function. When the natural protector, microbiome, is disturbed the skin begins to react painfully to external influences and even to ordinarily used cosmetics. Therefore, specialists aim to develop new products to restore skin’s microflora balance.
You should try to ensure that the microbiome feels as comfortable as possible. So, should you find yourself under stress, be sure to avoid aggressive peels, testing new products, or alcohol lotions. In normal conditions, all these habitual things may be alright for you. But when your skin is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, their powerful effects can be perceived as an invasion. By helping the microbiome you take care of your skin and help your natural protector to do its job.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP YOUR SKIN
We can’t avoid coming up with stressful situations here and then. We can’t hide from modern life all the time. But, what we really can is to change our attitude to our stresses and anxiety.
First of all, start with your psychoemotional state. We all have our own recipes. Some people need yoga and meditation, others need cooking classes or spa rituals. Healthy sleep, physical activity, satisfaction in professional and personal life, and a healthy diet are very important. Anyway, even if all this advice frustrates rather than motivates you, at the very least try changing your skincare routine.
SEVERAL TIPS TO HELP YOU
In many cases, histamine activation is temporary and will decrease by the time you control your anxiety. If you are experiencing a serious anxiety attack, try the following:
- Many anxiety symptoms appear when you are breathing too fast. So, try to slow breathing. An anxiety attack can make you feel like you’re not taking deep breaths. This tendency to breathe more makes your anxiety symptoms worse. A good way to control them is to slow down your breathing. That is how your body can rebalance carbon dioxide. Deep breathing exercises are very simple but can be truly helpful.
- Abstract yourself. Try to find a healthy distraction. If you have a friend, you can call and talk to them on the phone. These activities let you get rid of disturbing thoughts so you focus less on how you’re feeling and more on talking. This usually calms the nerves and leads to less anxiety.
- Avoid embarrassment. Fear for embarrassment sometimes makes red spots appear on the face. Unfortunately, this fear only causes additional anxiety. Don’t bother what anyone thinks of you. Do not pay attention to the spots that may appear. It will reduce that extra stress you get trying to hide the spots and worrying about your appearance.
These simple strategies and anxiety reduction do not implement any complicated treatment regimen. You can’t cure anxiety all at once. These are just tools to help you calm down, and when you feel calm, skin-related problems will be disappearing gradually.
Self-control and self-indulgence can help you avoid skin problems that you would otherwise have to treat with serious cosmetic facilities.
