Psychodermatology: how our skin reacts to stress
The skin is the largest human organ. It protects us from environmental influences and plays an important role in the immune system. Due to the many nerve endings, the skin allows us to feel pain and pleasure. And if we are under stress, it overreacts to it.
What is psychodermatology
Psychodermatology is a branch of dermatology that studies the relationship between the psychological state of a person and the behaviour of his skin. Most often, three main subtypes of diseases are distinguished:
- Primary – these include damage that a person deliberately inflicts on themselves due to mental problems. These include compulsive skinning, hair pulling, cutting.
- Secondary – these are disorders that occur against the background of skin problems. For example, people who suffer from acne or psoriasis for a long time can become depressed. They are also often diagnosed with self-esteem issues.
- Psychophysiological – this category includes such problems as acne, psoriasis, rosacea, pigmentation disorders, atopic dermatitis. Anxiety and stress can not only exacerbate these problems but also provoke them.
The skin actively responds to psychological experiences, as the brain and nervous system act on its immune cells through various receptors. To adapt to emotional pressure, the body begins to produce cortisol. This hormone helps the body cope with stress but, at the same time, negatively affects the condition of the skin. Studies show that excess stress hormone reduces the barrier functions of the epidermis, leading to skin diseases.
Most often, prolonged stress leads to the skin becoming very sensitive, dehydrated. The condition of the vessels also worsens, and through the damage to the epidermal barrier, microbes penetrate the deep layers of the skin, which provoke acne and inflammation. Under the influence of stress, the skin’s elasticity decreases, wrinkles appear, and the complexion becomes duller.
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How to get rid of the effects of stress on the skin
We all face challenges every day that are unsettling and stressful. But it is quite possible to keep the skin in good condition. To do this, you need to take care of your emotional health and learn how to cope with stress. We have already talked about some techniques that can help you with this.
Below are some more proven ways to help you restore the health and beauty of your skin after stress.
1. Follow the diet
Rigid diets or the abuse of fast food can become a source of stress. A poor diet negatively affects mood. It also deprives the body of vitamins and minerals necessary for normal functioning, maintaining the health and beauty of the skin.
2. Meditate
You don’t have to try to strike intricate postures for meditation to be effective. Even simple daily practices for 10 minutes will benefit your emotional health and skin. The main thing is that the process brings pleasure and relaxation.
3. Do not refuse salon procedures
Sometimes home care is not enough. For example, if you recently had to go through a lot of stress, salon treatments can help. But we are not talking about acid peeling or beauty injections, but about high-quality massages, spa treatments, microcurrent therapy, and other popular cosmetic services that will help restore beauty and youth to the skin.
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4. Practice facial massage
One of the most popular procedures that you can perform on your own is a facial massage. It relieves muscle tension, increases blood flow, and oxygenates the skin.
5. Set up a sleep pattern
Healthy sleep is necessary for maintaining the beauty of the skin. Between 10 and 11 pm, our body actively produces the hormone melatonin. And while we sleep, it prevents the destruction of collagen fibres, reduces redness, and neutralizes free radicals that weaken the skin’s defence mechanisms.
Lack of sleep and other sleep problems can lower immunity and provoke the appearance of excess weight, chronic fatigue, and depression.
