Anxiety, Stress and Your Complexion

– by Eva Sztupka-Kerschbaumer

A long time ago, stress was a good thing. For instance, when a saber-toothed tiger leapt out of the grass to chase you across the jungle floor, the resulting anxiety initiated a cascade of physiological effects (increased adrenaline, pounding heart, tense muscles, stimulated cortisol production) all designed to get the body moving and increase the odds that you were not kitty's main course.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 75% of the health problems currently presented to Medical Doctors in the United States are related to psychologicallyinduced stress. This “emotional” stress usually lasts longer than physical stress but our bodies react similarly to each. If you are like me, you spend the better part of the day tenderly waiting on and caring for others. How ironic that while we try to help our patients, friends and loved-ones relax we ignore ourselves and the early warning signs that our own stress level is reaching critical mass. Chronic emotional stress does not allow our body to “reset” and can have long-term, chaotic effects on our biochemistry. If you know what signs to look for, you can identify and manage stress before real problems occur.

Continuing a theme, lets start with dinner. A healthy digestive system will provide the nutrients we require and efficiently remove toxins. Operating under constant stress forces the body to shift resources from mundane functions like digestion and can cause lethargy, bloating, abdominal cramps, constipation or worse. On your face, a stressed digestive system may cause inflammations or abnormal capillary activity along the chin area. Eczema, flaking and dermatitis along the forehead and hairline may indicate intestinal anxiety, creating deeper wrinkles as stress continues unchecked. Blackheads, puffiness and redness in the glabellar area between the eyebrows may foreshadow unknown liver stress. Kidney, Bladder and Colon stress due to improper eating habits (dehydration, lack of sleep, eating disorders, unhealthy food, etc.) may lead to hot, red upper ears, deep lines across the center of the forehead and cracked, pigmented lips and irritation around the upper chin area.

Our bodies are designed to use short periods of stress-related changes to survive and then return to normal. Chronic anxiety stops stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol from dissipating, which can depress the immune system and create an imbalance resulting in blocked pores and undue sebum production. One study found that chronic stress causes deterioration in the skin's permeability barrier, which protects us from the environment and is essential to our survival. According to Peter Elias, Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, who led the study, when that barrier breaks down, there is havoc: The overload of molecules, whose job it is to shore up the barrier, initiates inflammation in deeper layers of the skin, causing irritation and dryness. Skin gets dull and breakouts occur. If not controlled, stress may lead to red blotches and heat around the lower neck and center of the upper chest and eventually cause eczema or long-term hyperpigmentation.

Unfortunately “symptoms of stress” compound the problem. Acne, eczema, constipation, wrinkles, puffiness, cracked lips or abnormal pigmentation are embarrassing and can increase anxiety. While a licensed skincare professional can remove blackheads, massage temples, rehydrate dry skin or control oil-production, only you can properly manage your stress. A trip to a local spa can offer a peaceful sanctuary where you can relax and forget about your worries (and tigers).

Note: The information provided in this article is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician before starting any new treatment.

Eva Sztupka-Kerschbaumer is a licensed Cosmetician, member of CIDESCO USA and owner of ESSpa Kozmetika Organic Skincare & Spa in Aspinwall, PA. Born and trained in Budapest, Eva immigrated to America in 1996 and treats between11-15 guests every day. She lives in Blawnox with her husband, Scott and 5-year-old son, Kristian. Eva can answer your questions at (412) 782-3888 or via email at eva@esspa.com.

Helpful Articles

Identifying Stress and Stress Management (University of Maryland Medical Center)

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_some_specific_stress_reduction_methods_000031_7.htm

How to Cope (Rotary Club of Santa Monica and the Center for Healthy Aging)

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/stress_management_relief_coping.htm

Stress Management for Parents (Child Development Institute)

http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting/stress.shtml

STRESS at Work (CDC – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/stresswk.html