You might be aware of the sun’s effect on your skin, but totally unaware of another skin health risk: stress.
Ohio State University performed an experiment with UVB rays on stressed and non-stressed mice. The stressed mice had weakened immune systems and developed skin cancer at a faster rate than the non-stressed mice. If stress can impact mice in this way, you have to think about what effect stress might have on humans.
The mind and skin connection
Karen Mallin, PsyD from University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital articulates the mind and skin connection: “A lot of nerve endings are connected to the skin, which wraps around the organs, so as emotions are played out neurologically, they can be expressed through the skin just as stress can be expressed through gastrointestinal symptoms, increased anxiety, or hypertension.” As Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, MD, from Baylor College of Medicine states: “Studies show that at least 30% of all dermatology patients have some underlying psychological problem.” The mind and skin connection is becoming such a prevalent topic that a subfield of dermatology called Psychodermatology. Psychodermatologists treat patients’ skin conditions with methods like acupuncture, relaxation therapy, counseling, and/or antidepressants.
Exactly how does stress impact the skin?
For one thing, stress causes high levels of the hormone, cortisol, which can trigger increased oil production in the skin which can result in acne, dermatitis, and/or clogged pores. Stress can also cause inflammation conditions like eczema and rosacea. Cortisol is also responsible for weakening collagen and elastin in the skin, the main cause of wrinkles. Another way stress manifests itself is in the form of skin cancer. Dermatologists have noticed a link between instances of trauma or childhood abuse and lowered immune responses that generate basal cell carcinomas on the skin.
Stress really does affect not just your looks, but (more importantly), your skin’s health. Since stress and skin are so connected, if you want healthy skin, try lowering the stress in your life. Maybe yoga, exercise, meditation, sleep, and deep breathing will be as much a part of the average skincare routine as using sunscreen, washing your face, and limiting sun exposure.
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