De-stress for Skin's Sake!
My favorite form of stress relief is a nice vacation getaway, preferably some place warm with ocean views. These overwater bungalows in the Maldives, coupled with a touch of exercise, are sure to reduce anyone's stress levels-- and possibly lead to clearer skin too. Why is that?
Unfortunately, we as dermatologists don't have all the scientific proof to explain many of the trends we see day to day. The link between stress and certain skin conditions is certainly an area that requires much more research. But until then, there is no denying what some people experience when stressed.
Stress can lead to:
Flares of inflammatory conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, acne, and rosacea
Flares of autoimmune conditions such as lupus or vitiligo
Acute or chronic hair loss, called telogen effluvium
Habit forming conditions such as habit tic (disfigurement of the nail due to biting or picking) or trichotillomania (hair pulling)
Worsening of herpes labialis, a.k.a. cold sores
Worsening of urticaria, a.k.a hives
These are only but a few examples. The goal is to not ignore your body's helpful signals. Even if you don't feel stressed, your skin may prove otherwise. Simple stress reducing techniques, in combination with monitoring by a board-certified dermatologist, may be all that is needed to help keep your skin healthy. #InnerHealthForOuterBeauty #DermTipTuesday
What's your favorite form of stress relief?
