Acne is common among teenagers, but less commonly seen in adults. Both teenage and adult acne can be worsened by stress. When body undergoes stress, stress hormones are released affecting the body equilibrium. The severity of acne increases when body is under severe stress. Read on to learn about stress and acne and how are they related so you can decide on the best acne remedies.
During stress acne worsens in two ways. It stimulates the adrenal glands to produce more hormones and it slows down the healing process. Under stress, the adrenal cortex secretes male hormones testosterone and androgens. The male hormones act on sebaceous gland and results in increased production of sebum worsening acne.
Women produce more male hormones than men under stress and this explains why women are more prone to acne breakouts with stress. Additionally, stress weakens the immune mechanism of our body.
Overproduction of cortisol by adrenal glands causes the sebaceous glands to secrete more oil and this clogs pores resulting in acne breakouts. During stress, acne can appear more reddish, pus filled and inflamed than mere small blackheads and whiteheads.
Clogged pores of acne can never be seen with the naked eye. Under stressful conditions, an inflammatory repose occurs in the body and causes the walls of the clogged pores to break. Finally, redness and pus appears around the broken pore and turns to what we call as zits.
One of the best ways to keep a track of your acne breakouts or to find out when exactly acne is flaring during periods of stress is by simply maintaining an acne diary. If breakouts and severe flare-up coincides with periods of stress, the relation can be confirmed. Being self-aware about your body is one way to say if stress is worsening your acne.
Dealing with your stress is an effective way to approach acne remedies. Here is what you can do to beat stress:
Stress can be reduced by doing meditation, listening to music or by simply pursuing any activity or hobby that can make you feel relaxed and peaceful.
Get good sleep. Lack of sleep can increase stress levels and one of the best ways to beat the stress is to get enough sleep. A seven to eight hour of sleep night after night is ideal.
Exercise can help you to keep stress levels down as long as you are not pushing your body to limits. Simple dance moves, aerobic exercise coupled with any sports activity can increase blood flow and oxygen levels to your brain.
Try to exercise your body three to four times a week and see the incredible difference in stress levels and on your acne.
Both physical and emotional stress can aggravate the condition of acne. Emotional stress can be anxiety over an upcoming exam, meeting a tight deadline or a relationship issue while physical stress can be gross inactivity, excessive exercise, and lack of sleep or mere inability to stay relaxed.
Simply keep away from all sorts of stress, worry, anxiety and tension and prevent your acne flare-ups. So from now on reduce acne breakouts just by reducing stress. Of all the acne remedies, this is one of the most important.
Stay calm and carry on and keep your acne away!
I’m eloisa from Philippines and I’m 14 years old I just wanna ask if what’s the good thing to prevent acne backs and pimples on faces.