Everybody feels stressed from time to time, but when it becomes chronic, it can have consequences on your health, including your skin. First, the hormones that your body releases when you feel stress can lead to physiological changes that negatively impact your skin. Second, feeling stressed may also lead to bad habits such as picking at your skin, grinding your teeth, sleeping poorly, or falling off your skin routine.
Stress can flare skin conditions like rosacea, acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Stress hormones can trigger pimples and flushing. We can help you through times like this, but anything we can do to prevent it is ideal. If you struggle with any of these issues that can be flaring with stress, each of our clinicians is an expert at creating a treatment plan to help you regain control!
Stressful events such as the loss of a loved one, illness, surgery, or losing a job can also lead to sudden hair shedding. Thankfully, such hair loss is usually temporary and reversible, as long as the trigger has resolved. If you aren’t sure if this is the type of hair loss you are experiencing, we can help you figure it out!
Grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw while you sleep due to stress can lead to jaw pain and headaches. Did you know that a little Botox injected into specific points in the cheeks can alleviate this tension and the pain from it? It’s true. We offer this type of Botox treatment, and patients love it!
Lack of sleep can result in undereye dark circles, undereye bags, acne breakouts, and potentially even wrinkles. Don’t let stress cause you premature aging! We can help you combat that, of course, but you also want to try to avoid triggers.
Some ways you can cope with stress:
- Schedule time for relaxing activities. Scheduling time for activities that help you feel relaxed may help you reduce stress if you feel overwhelmed by your busy schedule.
- Maintain good lifestyle habits. Continuing a healthy diet, as well as getting plenty of sleep, will help your body better manage stress. This includes maintaining your skincare regimen!
- Stay active. Exercise can help you lower levels of your stress hormones and give you some time to take your mind off the cause of your stress.
- Talk to others. Talking to a friend, family member, or mental health professional helps many people deal with stress.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol. While these are ways people may think help them cope with stress, smoking and drinking alcohol can really damage the skin. Both can create acne flares, worsen rosacea, and cause dullness and wrinkles.
Stress is an unavoidable part of life. However, when stress becomes chronic, it can leave a lasting impression on your face. Minimizing avoidable causes of stress in your life and learning techniques to manage stress can help you fight against these signs of premature aging.