How Acne and Stress are related?

Your lifestyle is not the main reason for acne. But the way you live affects your entire body, including its largest organ: the skin. The place you work, the hours you keep, the ways you play - all of these can take a toll on the epidermis, especially in those who are prone to acne. Following are a few everyday acne triggers you might not be aware of, and a few things you can do to avoid them.

You may be exposing yourself to comedogenic (pore-clogging) substances on the job without even noticing it; while these substances are not the source of your acne, they can aggravate it. For example: the airborne grease in a fast-food restaurant can create an invisible film on your skin, clogging your pores. Most industrial oils are comedogenic as well.

A good night's sleep - at least eight hours - can do wonders for your complexion. A healthy, well-rested body has the resources to build a strong immune system. While a robust immune system won't prevent acne altogether, it can help fight infection so your lesions clear up more quickly. Luckily, your body isn't picky; uninterrupted sleep in the daytime is just as beneficial. So if you work late, sleep late - and try to maintain a uniform schedule.

Consistent sun bathing will dry your skin, causing your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. Also, skin that has been exposed to the sun has to slough old cells more frequently; when you combine the extra oil and extra dead cells, you create the ideal environment for comedones, or blocked pores. So if you work (or play) in the sun, it's important to protect your skin with sunscreen. Look for oil-free products that provide at least an SPF 15 protection level from UVA and UVB rays.

Not surprisingly, stress often has a starring role in the ongoing acne drama. Ninety percent of my patients complain about what stress does to their skin. It has a massive impact, and it's becoming a bigger problem every day, says Katie Rodan, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at Stanford University.

How can stress - emotional anxiety caused by any number of factors in your life show up on your face? The connection is merely chemical. When you become tense, your adrenal glands go work, flooding your bloodstream with the hormone cortisol. This triggers the sweat glands in your face to generate more oil. When your sebaceous glands go into high gear, there's a higher probability that this excess oil will mix with dead skin cells and clog your pores, trapping bacteria inside. The result? More acne, primarily inflamed papules rather than blackheads or whiteheads.

Although stress is part of being human but you can minimize its damage by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A balanced diet and at least seven hours of sleep every night will help you build a stronger physical body; if you're well fed and well rested, you're less likely to feel irritated by the events of your day. Try to get some exercise every day, even if it's just a walk around the block at lunchtime. It's also important to take time out of every day to relax - read a book, take a bath, practice yoga, or do whatever makes you feel happy and calm. The most important step for overall good health is healthy skin.

 

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