The Truth about Stress and Your Skin| PatientsEngage

Submitted by PatientsEngage on 18 December 2016

Does stress cause acne and eczema to flare up? Does it cause dark circles and pigmentation to appear? Yes, stress does all that and a lot more. Dermatologist Dr. Vinu Kripalani recognizes the mind-skin connection and recommends tips to reduce stress and make your skin glow skin naturally.

What is stress?

Stress is caused when the pressure on the individual exceeds their coping mechanism. It is the mental/emotional response to adverse or demanding circumstances. Skin can react in different ways to stress.

How does stress affect skin?

The intricate relationship between stress and skin conditions has been documented since ancient times. Recent clinical observations link psychological stress to the onset or aggravation of multiple conditions, such as: cardiovascular disease, migraines, multiple sclerosis, epileptic seizures, neuro degeneration, asthma, arthritis, alopecia areata, psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis, erythema, etc. .

Is stress a direct cause for any skin problem?

Yes definitely. Stress causes many of the above mentioned problems. It also aggravates any weaknesses such as dark circles, pigmentation, etc.. It can cause deep line wrinkles, crow’s feet due to the fact that the person under stress would be frowning and grimacing more. It also makes skin more sensitive and reactive to chemicals in toiletries and skin care products.

What are some of the complimentary therapies you would recommend and why?

All therapies which would help reduce and manage stress.

Exercise
Walks in the fresh air
Yoga
Meditation
Adequate Sleep
Healthy Diet

The Right Diet For A Glowing Healthy Skin

Hypnotherapy

For those who have serious stress related issues, I would recommend some sessions of hypnotherapy. It is still not widely used or understood. The advantages are that it is drugless therapy. It helps recondition the mind and clear the clutter and misconceptions from the subconscious.

PatientsEngage Note: There are many options in therapy including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Please only work with a very reliable, trustworthy and trained hypnotherapist.

Natural Skin Care Products

Those who are sensitive to skin care products, can use non chemical, "off the kitchen shelf" therapies. For example: cleanse the face with milk, use yoghurt and honey to calm and moisturise the face, use lemon juice or vinegar mixed with oil for dandruff, fruit packs on the face and so on.

Community

Dermatological (Skin) and Opthalmology (Eyes) conditions

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Condition

Atopic Dermatitis

Stress

Stories

Stress Management

Your doctor may suggest some of the following self-help strategies: Self-understanding: Know what is causing you stress Self-management: Be more organised, control your thoughts Self-talk: Stand in front of a mirror and counsel yourself Conflict resolution: Make ways to resolve smaller conflicts that may snowball into bigger ones. Positive attitude: See the upside of the situation Breathing exercises: Do pranayama Try meditation Exercise Alter your diet: Add vegetables…
Treatment for Stress

Apart from self help options mentioned in the Management section, one option is Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy. You talk through your problems with a therapist. The aim is to alter the negative thought patterns arising from stress and the behaviour that comes with it. Medication : You doctor may also suggest medication such as: Barbiturates like phenobarbital, butabartital, amobarbital, mephobarbital Benzodiazepines like lprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, diazepam and…
Stress Diagnosis and Tests

Testing for stress If you decide to consult a doctor, he or she may give you a questionnaire to fill out. It will ask you about situations that cause you stress, how frequently you are stressed, what causes increased stress and the symptoms you feel. Your stress level is assessed at the end of the test – the higher the score, more the stress.
Types of Stress and Stages

Different types of stress Acute stress is short-term and is caused by the demands of life – for instance, your child is struggling at school or you are worried about clinching a contract. This does not cause extensive damage and is manageable. This is the most common type of stress. Chronic stress is long-term stress that the patient cannot get rid of. It is caused by longstanding situations, like being trapped in a hopeless job, in poverty, unhappy marriage or violent…
Signs and Symptoms of Stress

Symptoms may include the following: Forgetfulness Inability to focus Low energy levels because of too much worrying Headaches Frequent infections because of low immunity levels due to elevated stress levels Upset stomach Insomnia Irritability Pounding heart Clenched jaw Muscle pain and stiffness If these symptoms are ongoing and you can’t seem to stop them, consult a doctor.
Causes of Stress and Risk Factors

What causes stress Stress is caused by changes in your environment, be it the home or the workplace, or life-altering events like bereavement, illness, financial worries or divorce. The severity of the condition varies for each person, depending on his/her innate strength to face a particular problem. Are you at a risk of developing stress These factors heighten risk, for example: Childhood experiences, such as abusive behaviour, have long-term effects on the hypothalamus-pituitary system,…
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