One common complaint of teenagers is that they get acne right before a big date, final exams, or some other significant event. It is commonly thought that stressful events can cause a flare-up of acne. What is going on there? Does stress cause acne?
Does Stress Cause Acne?
Although stress does not cause acne, stress can indeed aggravate the condition.
Before we can understand how stress affects acne, it is essential to know a little bit about what acne is and what causes it.
Acne is a skin condition that results from inflammation of the hair follicles. The hair follicles are the tiny pores in the skin that contain the hair shafts.
The inflammation starts with the sebaceous glands’ overproduction of sebum (oil). The sebum mixes with dead skin cells and forms a plug that blocks the follicle.
A bacteria known as Cutibacterium acnes naturally live on the skin and in the hair follicles. When the pore becomes clogged, it provides an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.
The body has natural inflammatory responses to fight infection. These can cause the surrounding area to become red and swollen. This results in an acne lesion.
How Does Stress Cause Acne?
So, how does stress fit into this picture? Well, tension doesn’t change bacteria proliferation on the skin, but it can affect hormones in the body that can make acne worse.
Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands during times of stress. Cortisol has many bodily functions, one of which is to increase sebum production. This increase of sebum can lead to clogged pores and, ultimately, acne.
Too much cortisol can increase the production of inflammation-causing chemicals known as cytokines. With more of these cytokines in your system, the body’s response to acne is delayed. This means the inflammation process can continue for longer, resulting in more severe acne.
Stress can also provoke people to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as picking at their skin. This can lead to more inflammation, extended breakouts, and acne scars.
Managing Your Stress
If you are struggling with acne, it is essential to find ways to manage your stress.
The first step to reducing stress is to identify the source of your stress. Is it your job, your family, your finances…? Once you know what’s causing your stress, you can develop a plan to address the problem.
Besides identifying the source of your stress, it’s also important to develop healthy coping mechanisms. Exercise, for example, has been shown to reduce levels of inflammatory cytokines.
Relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can also help to reduce tension. So can journaling and talking about your stress with someone – a loved one or a therapist.
Taking care of yourself is essential for managing stress. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, make sure to take some time for yourself to relax and recharge.
Lastly, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep are foundational to stress reduction and good skin health. Even if stress isn’t the direct cause of your acne, it is still important to manage it for the sake of your health and well-being.
So, if you are struggling with acne, be sure to find ways to address your stress. This can help you to clear up your skin and feel better overall.
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