Dr Noreen Akram
Stress and Acne: Understanding and Breaking the Stress-Acne Cycle
Discover how stress affects acne and how to manage it effectively.
What We'll Cover - Stress and Acne.
Key Takeaways
Stress can manifest as feelings of overwhelm, worrying, trouble sleeping, social avoidance, and appetite changes, potentially leading to anxiety and depression.
Stress can exacerbate acne through the release of cortisol, which stimulates oil production, leading to clogged pores and acne.
Acne itself can cause stress, creating a vicious cycle, which can be broken with awareness and management techniques.
Techniques to combat stress include identifying stress factors, breaking down tasks, journaling, practising gratitude, exercising, meditating, challenging negative thoughts, seeking support, and using the Proton Health app.
Stress is the body’s reaction to feeling threatened or pressured. It can act as a powerful motivator to achieve daily goals related to work and personal life. But when experienced frequently and at high intensity, stress can lead to feelings of loss of control, resulting in anxiety, irritability, and low self-esteem. This long-term, intense stress can have significant effects on our skin health, specifically leading to acne flare-ups.
Recognising Stress
Stress manifests in various ways, including feelings of being overwhelmed, constant worrying, trouble sleeping, avoidance of social interactions, and changes in appetite. Over prolonged periods, this can lead to anxiety and depression. More so, when it comes to acne, stress has additional unintended consequences.
Acne and Stress: What’s The Relationship?
The relationship between acne and stress is a complex one. Under stress, our bodies release cortisol, a hormone that can stimulate oil production in the skin, leading to clogged pores and, eventually, acne. Moreover, stress can slow down wound healing, including acne lesions, leading to increased inflammation and flare-ups.
The Stress-Acne Cycle
Stress can worsen acne, but the relationship doesn't end there. Acne itself can be a source of stress due to its impact on appearance and self-confidence. In fact, many individuals with acne report mental health difficulties due to the condition, signifying the existence of a stress-acne cycle.
This cycle explains the bidirectional effects of stress and acne. Stress leads to exacerbated acne symptoms, and in turn, worsening acne increases stress levels, creating a vicious cycle. The good news is, with awareness and appropriate management techniques, this cycle can be effectively broken.
Breaking The Stress-Acne Cycle
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a gold standard for managing stress related to acne. CBT aims to tackle overwhelming problems with a more positive outlook by breaking them down into smaller parts. It evaluates your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and actions and serves to re-wire these connections.
At Proton Health, we've developed a CBT programme delivered via the app over 6 weeks, specifically tailored to address acne-related challenges, including self-esteem, confidence, and relationships.
Other Tips To Reduce Stress
To combat stress and reduce acne flare-ups, several techniques can be employed:
Identify Your Stress Factors: Increasing awareness of your high-stress periods will help you discover your stress factors. Regularly tracking your mood and its correlation to your skin condition can help with this.
Break Down Tasks: Overwhelming tasks can be broken down into smaller, more manageable parts. This approach helps prevent mental exhaustion and boosts productivity.
Journaling: Regularly writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can provide perspective and reduce anxiety.
Practice Gratitude: Recalling positive aspects of your day can help keep negative thoughts at bay.
Exercise: Regular physical activity can improve your mood and significantly reduce stress.
Meditation: Mindfulness techniques can improve quality of life and significantly reduce stress.
Challenge Your Thoughts: Confront and challenge any negative thoughts that may arise.
Acne Support Groups: Connecting with others in similar situations can provide additional support.
Talk To Someone: Sharing your experiences with trusted friends, family, or a healthcare provider can provide a new perspective and much-needed support.
The Proton Health app features various tools to help you tackle the stress-acne cycle, including a CBT programme, daily mood boosters, various therapy sessions, and personalised tips. Break the Stress-Acne cycle with Proton Health today!
