It’s no secret that our emotions can have a powerful impact on our physical health. Negative emotions, in particular, can have a significant impact on our skin health. In this blog post, we’ll explore the relationship between negative emotions and skin health, backed by scientific research.
It’s said that our emotions are written all over our faces! And it’s no surprise! Did you know there is actually a whole study called Face Reading where you can see what emotions are affecting the person by the various changes on the skin of the face? It’s astounding and can be very helpful to tell you what you might need to work on!
Stress
This is an ambiguous word- what does stress really mean?
Basically, it is the accumulation of negative emotions that we deal with. When we experience stress (substitute any negative emotions like fear, worry, or overwhelm), our bodies produce cortisol, a hormone that can trigger an inflammatory response in the skin. This inflammation can lead to a range of skin issues, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
One study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that stress can lead to the overproduction of sebum, the oil that lubricates the skin. This excess sebum can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Additionally, stress can impair the skin’s barrier function, making it more susceptible to environmental damage and irritation.
Another study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found that individuals with perceived anxiety were more likely to experience atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition.
A third study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that individuals with anxiety were more likely to experience skin itching and pain, even in the absence of a diagnosable skin condition.
Anger
Anger is another negative emotion that can impact skin health. When we experience anger, our bodies release adrenaline, which can trigger an inflammatory response in the skin. This inflammation can lead to a range of skin issues, including rosacea, eczema, and acne.
One study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that individuals who experienced anger were more likely to have a higher incidence of rosacea.
In conclusion, negative emotions can have a significant impact on our skin health. As we can see, studies show that these negative emotions all trigger an inflammatory response in the skin, leading to a range of skin issues. By learning how to manage negative emotions and we can help promote healthy skin and overall well-being. So how do we manage negative emotions? First, we need to understand we need to change them and that we can change them. Stay tuned for another upcoming blogpost on what to do about it!
References:
Chiu, A., Chon, S. Y., & Kimball, A. B. (2003). The response of skin disease to stress: changes in the severity of acne vulgaris as affected by examination stress. Archives of dermatology, 139(7), 897-900.
Bayer, J. K., Peat, B., & Hiscock, H. (2013). Sleep problems in young infants and maternal mental and physical health. Journal of paediatrics and child health, 49(4), E242-E248.
Kawada, A., & Shiraishi, N. (2010). Stress and dermatology. The Journal of dermatology, 37(4), 307-314.
Halioua, B., Malka, G., & Mahe, Y. F. (2015). Dermatology and psychiatric disorders. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 29(2), 211-222.
Leave a Reply