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How Stress Affects Your Skin

Stress has a destructive relationship with our skin. Everything in the body is correlated, so it transpires onto our most outer layer. Stress has an immense impact on both the extrinsic and intrinsic factors of our skin, which can cause the body to react in various negative ways. The skin is much deeper than just the outer layer, as our mind and the organ work together. If you are a victim to stress and might possess stress-related symptoms, ask yourself the following:

  • How am I eating?
  • How am I sleeping? Have my sleeping patterns changed?
  • When my skin issue started, what was going on in my life?
  • Are my symptoms stress related?

Understanding Your Stress Hormone & How it Works

Cortisol is the body’s stress hormone which fuels the its’ “fight-or-flight” response. This hormone is released during periods of stress which in return increases heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, respiration and muscle tension. Cortisol also reduces the body’s system functions that are not needed during times of crisis, such as the reproductive, digestive and immune systems. Other functions of cortisol include:

  • Regulates blood pressure
  • Increases the body’s glucose production (blood sugar levels)
  • Enhances the body’s energy and restores balance
  • Assists in memory formation
  • Controls your sleep/wake cycle
  • Regulates inflammation

How does cortisol work? Two glands in the brain, the hypothalamus and pituitary, sense if the bloodstream contains the right level of cortisol. If levels are too low, the brain adjusts the amount of hormones it produces. The adrenal glands sense these signals and then determine the amount of cortisol to release. Most of the cells in the body contain cortisol receptors, which receive and use the hormone in various ways. The body’s needs vary from day to day, which causes the level of cortisol production to rise and fall accordingly.

 Stress vs. Skin

The major concern with stress and skin is inflammation. When stress affects the body through the skin, it can develop through three different skin conditions: acne, rosacea and psoriasis. The common denominator between these stress-caused symptoms is the reddish color, which comes from inflammation.

Acne

During periods of excessive stress, one may experience more acne-related breakouts than usual. High levels of cortisol result in elevated sebum (oil) production which causes pores to become clogged. Once pores are clogged, the development of inflammation and bacteria cause acne to form.

Rosacea

According to the National Rosacea Society, there have been multiple scientific studies on how the process of facial flushing and redness are linked to high levels of stress. Heat and stress are triggers of rosacea and can cause redness flare-ups to the skin.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis and stress have an intertwined relationship. Stress causes psoriasis, while psoriasis can cause stress. While professionals are not sure how stress directly affects psoriasis, they assume it has something to do with the immune system and its functionality.

Stress can also accelerate the aging cycle in the body, resulting in wrinkles and dark circles. Wrinkles form as a result from dehydration and loss of collagen. Similarly, dark circles are largely related to dehydration in the body and a lack of sleep. To combat the effects stress has on wrinkles and under eye circles, one must stay hydrated and conscious of their stress levels.

Questions to Ask Your Dermatologist

As the effect of stress on the skin comes off as quite complex, it is important to refer to a professional with all of your skin-related concerns. Some stress-related skin questions include the following:

  • How can I combat stress-related symptoms with my specific skin type?
  • What signs/symptoms should I look for when deciphering stress-related skin conditions?
  • How can I manage my cortisol levels?

If you struggle with stress-related skin symptoms, seek professional treatment right away. There are various means of treatment and remedies to have you feeling the absolute best in your own skin. The dermatologists at Knoxville Dermatology Group are licensed professionals who are experienced in hundreds of skin conditions. To make an appointment visit us online or call (865) 690-9467.

Aging Gracefully

Everything seems to change with age – our style, our hair, and especially our skin. With things like our hair and fashion sense, we change them when and how we want. But our skin changes due to genetics and our skincare routine.

Elastin and collagen are proteins that help keep your skin strong and elastic. As we age, production of these proteins slows down. The rate at which it slows down is strictly dependent on our genes. But external skin aging is in our control. Sun exposure and diet play a big role in how our skin appears. There are things you can do to protect your skin, no matter when you start.

Drinking plenty of water and using the right moisturizers can greatly improve the look and feel of your skin. Be sure to always protect your skin from overexposure with SPF 15 sunscreen or higher. Exfoliating once a week will help eliminate those dead skin cells that keep your skin looking dull. For dealing with things such as wrinkles or age spots, contact one of our board-certified physicians to put together a skin regimen that works for you.

If you have any questions about your skincare routine or about changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Caring for Mature Skin, part 1

All through our lives, our skin is changing. From birth to childhood, skin has different qualities than teen years. Mature skin also involves changes and it is important to realize some of the common traits, problems and solutions for aging skin in order to address specific issues that need to  be recognized and properly treated.

We are exploring this area of dermatology in this week’s Skin School blog article to better educate our  clients (current and potential) and help them achieve overall healthy skin.

Mature Skin Traits

As we get older, our skin undergoes a number of changes. How skin ages depends on several factors: lifestyle, diet, heredity, as well as other personal habits.

The most common characteristic of elderly skin is dryness. This is because as we age, our skin begins to thin. As it thins, it is less able to retain moisture, thus leading to dry skin.

Dry skin can lead to problems in a younger person, but can cause even more problems for the elderly. Because their skin is thin and can be easily torn, bacteria get in, thus increasing their chances of developing an infection.

Sun damage is another common trait of aging skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin damage from the sun is due to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light, which “breaks down elastic tissue (elastin) in the skin and causes the skin to stretch, sag, wrinkle, and become blotchy, occasionally with pre-cancerous growths and even skin cancer.”

Sun exposure (UV radiation) is the most common cause of pre-cancers and skin cancer, either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Many Americans (a million each year) will develop a skin cancer by age 65.

Skin changes that accompany aging include:

  • Roughened or dry skin
  • Benign growths such as seborrheic, keratoses, and cherry angiomas
  • Loose facial skin, especially around the eyes, cheeks, and jowls (jaw line)
  • Transparent or thinned skin
  • Bruising easily from decreased elasticity

Common Skin Conditions in Older Adults:

  • Wrinkles: Wrinkles are the most visible sign of aging skin. They follow chronic sun exposure and form when the skin loses its flexibility. Smokers tend to have more wrinkles than nonsmokers.
  • Facial movement lines: These lines (often known as “laugh lines” and “worry lines”) become more visible as the skin loses its elasticity (in your 40’s or 50’s). The lines may be horizontal on the forehead, vertical above the nose, or curved on the temples, upper cheeks, and around the mouth and eyes.
  • Age spots: “Age spots” are brown patches that appear on sun-exposed parts of the body (face, hands, and forearms), usually during the adult years.
  • Bedsores: Bedsores (also known as pressure ulcers) are skin ulcers that develop from pressure when people lie in bed or sit in a chair for long periods of time. Bedsores are a fairly common disorder in elderly people who have difficulty moving on their own. People with diabetes are more prone to bedsores because of their poor circulation and decreased feeling in their skin. Frequent rotation or re-positioning helps to prevent bedsores.

Tips for Preventing Mature Skin Conditions

Nothing can undo sun damage, but the skin can occasionally repair itself. Here are some tips to help keep your skin healthy.

  • Use sunscreen when outdoors. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more provides the most   protection.
  • Wear a hat and long sleeves when outdoors and sunglasses that block UV rays.
  • Avoid the use of tanning booths and sunlamps.
  • Examine yourself regularly for “changing moles” and new growths.

This is part one of a 2-part series on mature skin and its care. Tune in next week for more information about mature skin and how to keep it in great shape!

Would you like to learn more about the treatments and products available to get your skin in better shape? A member of our team here at Knoxville Dermatology Group can help! Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Contact Knoxville Dermatology Group at 865.690.9467.