Our skin is the mirror of our physical and emotional well-being. As anyone who has encountered acne knows, it can be challenging to treat acne-prone skin. When pimples pop out of the skin, you might be wondering what triggers these breakouts. If you’ve done the research, you may have heard that stress causes acne.
You might be wondering if this is real. If you take a closer look between acne and stress, you will find the secret to win over acne.
This article will look at the effects of stress on our life, our body, and our skin. We discuss the link between stress and acne. How stress can intensify acne, things to help reduce stress and its effects on our skin. To elaborate more I had patient who said, “Dr. Devanshi, I take care of my skin every night just the way you explained in your YouTube video, but still this acne problem just doesn’t go.” This article is for people with such concerns.
How does stress trigger or affect acne?
Stress can affect your metabolism. You may have trouble sleeping; you may suffer from digestion; you may feel tired. Until the symptoms appear on the skin, it becomes itchy with a tendency to redness and blemishes.
When people are stressed, they do things differently. They eat specific diets, usually foods high in fat and sugar. They sleep less, and their sleep stability is generally lower. They get irritated quickly.
A hormone called cortisol is activated during times of stress. These hormones are very useful in protecting us from potentially life-threatening situations. These are called “fight or flight” reactions. Activation of these hormones keeps the body in a state of alert.
How come eating poorly makes acne worse?
Eating a high inflammatory food diet with high carbohydrates and added sugar would contribute to acne’s appearance. If your body is bloated with food, you can expect this to cause skin conditions as well.
Not to mention a diet high in carbohydrates and sugar increases your blood sugar. When evaluating your diet, it is important to note how your body reacts to specific foods. Just because everything is fine with one person does not mean that it is the same as another.
Take steps to reduce stress
Managing stress is the first step taken toward healthy skin. Work on stress relief practices daily. Stress can make things worse.
Exercises
One of the most effective stress management methods is exercise. Regular exercise can provide both mental and physical benefits. Please clean all workout machines, and wash your face after a workout to deal with exercise breakout.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
Learning and breathing exercises help stimulate the body’s reflexes, keeping you relaxed. Practice meditation to relieve stress and reduce the risk of anxiety and depression.
Stay hydrated with fluids
Extreme stress can lead to dehydration. All parts of your body depend on water. If you are dehydrated, your body will not function properly, which will increase your stress levels. It’s a vicious cycle, so be sure to drink eight glasses of water every day.
Discuss and ask for help
If you are feeling depressed and overwhelmed, it is necessary to share your problems and feelings. Whether it’s with a psychologist, your mom, or friends, never be afraid to ask for help.
How to cure acne
Treatment varies slightly depending on the severity of the acne. Mild pimples can be treated with both primary and over the counter creams or topical medications. Treatments for moderate acne can include:
- Wash gently with soap and water. Scratching pimples with harsh soap does not help treat acne. Maybe it can make acne worse.
- Using over-the-counter cream: These include benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, resorcinol, and others.
- Treatment for mild to severe acne involves the use of topical or oral medications from your dermatologist.
Stress is a significant factor in most medical problems, including acne. While it’s important to note that stress doesn’t cause acne, it only makes acne worse. Stress triggers an increased release of the stress hormone cortisol.
Cortisol can affect other hormones in your body. And since acne is mostly a hormonal phase, it can get worse. Being involved in self-care and learning to stress correctly gives you the best chance to eliminate acne. You should also see a dermatologist who can guide you in the best way.