How Stress Impacts Skin Conditions Like Acne and Psoriasis

Stress affects all of us, both positively and negatively. A little bit of it—you know, the kind that gets the adrenaline pumping and gives us the drive to push boundaries—is good. But when it’s chronic…? That’s not so great for physical and mental health. 

The effects of this kind of stress can manifest in many different ways. But the skin, being the largest organ of the body, can really suffer. Stress-related skin conditions are very real and, if not addressed, can end up causing a whole heap of misery.

Anyone who’s suffering from conditions, like acne and psoriasis, needs no reminding about how damaging flare-ups can be for your mental health. Then, when you realize that stress can exacerbate the condition, but that the condition itself creates even more stress—it’s enough to make you tear your hair out…

The link between stress and skin conditions is a complex one. While stress might not be a direct cause, there is a symbiotic relationship between the two. 

The Stress-Acne Connection

Stress causes changes in your body’s hormonal balance. One of these is that it increases cortisol levels which, in turn, stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. You probably know that too much oil is one of the direct causes of acne—it plays a major role in blocking the skin pores, creating an ideal environment to trap dead skin cells and allow bacteria to flourish. 

On top of this, the body’s healing abilities slow down when it’s under stress. This means that the tissue trauma caused by each pimple takes longer to mend. Not only are they visible for longer, but while they’re active there’s an increased risk of them getting worse.

The Stress-Psoriasis Connection

It’s also well known that stress is a common Psoriasis trigger, with 31%-88% of sufferers reporting this to be true. The reason for this is still up for debate. One hypothesis is that chronic stress increases various inflammatory substances in the body that play a part in forming psoriasis plaques.

Whether we’re talking about acne, psoriasis, rosacea, or any other skin condition, when there’s a flare up this alone causes further stress. This never-ending cycle needs to be addressed in two ways: treating the condition AND taking steps to combat the stress.

Treating Stress-Related Skin Conditions is a Two-Pronged Approach

Dermatologists who treat stress-related skin conditions don’t solely focus on the physical aspects. Don’t be surprised if your clinician asks what might feel like some probing questions. Managing stress is as important as treating the physical symptoms. Your doctor might suggest trying to combat this through:

• Meditation/relaxation techniques.
• Improving sleep patterns.
• Exercise.
• Emotional self-care.
• Reducing alcohol intake.

 The evidence for a multi-disciplinary approach when treating severe skin conditions is becoming far better understood. The association between severe acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and mental health might require expertise in psychology and psychiatry, as well as the dermatological care that treats the symptoms.

The good news is that there are an awful lot of small life tweaks that can combat stress—and not just when you’re suffering from a flare-up. Positive actions, such as engaging with friends and loved ones, taking time out for yourself, using lists to help with organization, or even simply taking a few deep breaths when you’re feeling overwhelmed can all help reduce chronic stress.

Seeking help from a skincare professional for acne, psoriasis, or any other skin condition is a vital step to management. Bayou City Dermatology has multiple doctors who specialize in this, all of whom are dedicated to helping you combat not just the symptoms, but the complex impact that stress brings to the table.

Discover more and book a consultation at https://www.bayoucitydermatology.com/clinical/acne-treatment