Is there Any Proof Stress Causes Acne?
Stress-related acne is an issue that is still debatable.
Whether stress may really cause real acne or not, those
in health circles have not been uncertain until a few years
ago. Yet, there are numerous medical studies that may provide
evidence that the onset of acne to some people could very well
be brought on by stress.
Stress may aggravate acne in two ways:
1. Stress stimulates the adrenal glands to produce more hormones,
and
2 Stress slows down the healing process.
The adrenal glands, which can be found above the kidneys,
secrete the hormones known as norepinephrine and epinephrine.
Together with the male hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex
that are released only under stressful conditions, this condition
stimulates the release of excess sebum which exacerbates a breakout
sometimes requiring acne medicine.
It is also widely recognized that psychological stress diminishes
the healing capacity of the immune system by up to 40%. This
being a given only increases the probability that acne may in
fact be stress-related.
In addition, unhealthy diet during stressful conditions may
have some effects on the worsening of acne.
Stress not only aggravates acne flare-ups, it also may considerably
affect the over-all health condition of the skin. It induces
the adrenal cortex a to generate a steroid called cortisol which
triggers the production of sebum; in effect making the skin
extra oily. This is the reason why stressed people have pus-filled
papules and inflamed acne rather than the plain whiteheads and
blackheads.
In 2002, the Stanford University School of Medicine conducted
a research on the connection between stress and acne.
Although it only involved 22 acne-inflicted students, it was
helpful in establishing the fact that stress actually causes
the generation of acne on students under stressful conditions,
in this case examination. Professors involved in the experiment
were able to conclude that the exam aggravated the acne of the
students under observation. It was further concluded that students
who were greatly stressed during the examinations have greater
chance for the more severe acne conditions.
Another study done in the year 2003 published in The Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences, noted the possibility that
chemicals and acne (and other skin diseases) may be closely
related. This study particularly focused on the thalamus, a
part of the brain which releases a hormone called corticothropin
or CRH during stressful conditions. The skin oil glands are
known to generate both CRH and CRH receptors. Consequently,
when CRH receptors combines with excess CRH, it produces
more sebum which in turn can result in exacerbation of acne.
Acne urticata, which is actually not acne but a form of
eczema, are known to manifest on middle-aged women who
undergo depression and stress. In this case, it is not yet clear
whether the stress resulted to acne or the stress the resultant
of this type of acne.
Dr. Jerome Litt, a German dermatologist concluded that under
stressful situations, the male hormone testosterone and androgens
are induced. This belief led him to the generalization that
these two hormones may be instrumental to the production of
sebum on the skin, in effect increases the susceptibility of
the person under this condition to experience the onset of acne.
In accordance to this, he advises acne patients to avoid
stress, worry, anxiety and tension as these may trigger the
production of acne or worsen the pre-existing condition.
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