9 Effects of Stress on your Face

stress

How Can Stress Affect the Face?

Amid the many happenings of life, leading a stress-free life can be challenging. As humans who make ends meet or even try as much as possible to survive, we get stressed from time to time. That slight headache you feel could be a result of stress, just like the bagged eyes, insomnia, and rashes you have. The effects of stress range from mild to severe, extending to the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and depression.

When stress becomes chronic, the hormones the body releases can lead to a physiological change that could harm your skin. Let`s see how.

9 Effects of Stress on your Face

Hair Loss

Your hair’s growing cycle can get disrupted and lead to a condition called ‘Telogen Effluvium,’ which is stress in its chronic stage. This condition causes an increased fallout of hair.

Dry Skin

The outer layer of the skin, called the stratum corneum, contains protein and lipids that play a crucial role in maintaining the hydration of your skin cells. It also acts as protection for the skin. Your skin may become dry and itchy when your stratum corneum fails.
Stress impairs the barrier function of your stratum corneum and most likely affects skin water retention negatively.

Bagged Eyes

Bags under the eyes are evident with swelling or surging beneath the eyelids, as the muscles supporting the eyes weaken. Stress as a result of sleep deprivation reduces skin elasticity, increases the signs of aging, and causes uneven pigmentation.

Wrinkles

Stress spurs changes to the proteins in your skin and reduces its elasticity. This may cause the formation of wrinkles. It may also lead to repeated furrowing of your brow, which contributes to the formation of wrinkles.

Rashes

Stress weakens the immune system and causes the unevenness of bacteria in the guts and skin. This is a condition called dysbiosis. This bacterial imbalance that stress causes can lead to rash, redness, or inflamed skin, which results in contact dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.

Acne

stressWhen you’re stressed, your body produces more cortisol hormone. Cortisol causes a part of the brain known as the hypothalamus to produce a hormone called corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH). CRH stimulates the flow of oil from sebaceous glands around the hair follicles. When these glands produce excessive oil, it can clog your pores and lead to acne.

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction happens as a result of stress and may cause you to repeatedly clench your teeth, as well as cause your jaw to connect to your skull.

Face Flushing

Over time, stress may cause you to change your breathing habits, without you even realizing it. These breathing habits can cause your face to flush temporarily.

Sore Lips

A number of people chew their lips when they are stressed and overthinking. Sore lips may occur due to lip chewing and may increase your risk of infection.

10 Stress Facts you Should Know

Difficulty Breathing

Stress can cause shortness of breath, and ultimately, lead to uneasiness. People with social anxiety often have shortness of breath when they face stressful situations. Long-term stress can increase your risk of mental health risks.

Excessive Worry

If you`re usually stressed, you may find yourself often worrying or feeling overwhelmed about things going on around you. This may make you restless and affect you mentally and/or physically.

Women May Be More Vulnerable to Stress

Compared to their male counterparts, women are more likely to experience physical signs of stress.

Difficulty with Digestion

You may have stomach upset, diarrhea, and frequent urination when you`re stressed. This may cause severe uneasiness.

Feeling of Apprehensiveness

Stress may make your body feel off-balance, with your fingers twitchy. You may also feel dizzy.

Risk of Insomnia

Stress may make it difficult for you to sleep at night. This insomnia may come with persistent headaches called tension headaches.

Reduces Immunity

Stress may make you more prone to frequent colds and flu due to your weakened immunity.

Reduces Libido

Some studies found that women reported feeling less interested in sex when they were anxious. This is a result of their body reacting differently to sexual stimulation when they are nervous.

Risk of Type-2 Diabetes

Stress brings about the heightened production of blood glucose, due to the release of cortisol. This may increase the risk of type-2 diabetes.

Poor Habits

Stress may come with some bad habits such as grinding your teeth or biting your lips and/or fingernails.

4 Ways to Manage Stress

Here`s how to do your body some good and manage stress better.

Eat Healthy Diets

stressEat healthy foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients to boost your immune system. This will improve your overall health and help your body fight stress better.

Stay Active and Productive

Staying active will help you manage stress better and improve your overall health. Exercise often; visit the gym regularly, if you can.

Take out Some Time to Relax

Relaxation is essential in combatting stress. Schedule time for relaxing activities. You may go to the park to enjoy the beautiful view and relax your mind. You could also find relaxation methods that work best for you.

Connect with People

Make out some time to connect to friends and family. This will keep you refreshed and active. You may do this physically or via video calls.

Skin Facts you Should Know

  • The feet have the thickest skin, while the eyelids have the thinnest skin.
  • The skin renews itself every 28 days.
  • The skin sheds over 20,000 dead cells every minute.
  • The skin is the largest of all the body`s organs.
  • The skin stores water, fat, vitamin D, and regulates body temperature.
  • Adequate sleep replenishes the skin.
  • Smoking affects the skin, as it deprives it of oxygen and vital nutrients by reducing blood flow.
  • Harsh cosmetics dry out natural fats called lipids, which give the skin`s outer layer some moisture and keeps it healthy.
  • Exercising regularly will boost collagen production and aid toxin removal.
  • The skin accounts for about 15% of body weight.
  • There are over 1,000 species of bacteria in the skin.
  • Skin changes are sometimes signs of health changes.
  • In hot weather conditions, the skin produces about three gallons of sweat daily, on average.
  • The melanin content in the skin determines its color. Small amounts of melanin make the skin light, while large amounts make it dark.
  • It takes babies about six months to develop a permanent skin tone.
  • The apocrine sweat gland, found in the genitals, armpits, and anus produces a fatty secretion which the bacteria in the skin feed on, and as a result, produces a by-product that causes a foul odor.
  • Meissner corpuscles are touch receptors located on the clitoris, penis, fingertips, nipples, palms, lips, and tongue; they cause a high level of sensitivity in those parts of the body.

Now that you Know…

With all of the troubles that come with our daily lives, managing stress may seem inevitable. If you follow the practical steps in this article, you will lead a calm, happy, and relaxed life. Take one day at a time and manage the difficulty that life throws at you.

Above all, stay positive, eat healthy diets, exercise regularly, and stressors. Rest assured that you`re on a path to lead your best life yet.