How your skin is affected by stress?
Doctor Tiina Meder:
“The skin and the nervous system are like twins that are separated at birth, but never really stay apart, dermatology professor Laurent Misery once said, when talking about skin sensitivity. In embryos, the skin and the nervous system are the same organ – ectodermal, which gradually develops into separate systems at a later stage of growth in the womb. The skin and the nervous system speak the same biochemical language, skin cells are very similar to nerve cells and even melanocytes (pigment cells) are sometimes called skin neurons because of their properties.
This means that yes, when your nervous system is shaken (as it has been throughout 2020 and 2021 with the Covid19 Pandemic!),
This is reflected in your skin condition. Stress increases the level of stress hormones,
such as cortisol, and worsens all skin conditions, including acne and rosacea.
That’s why we have psychodermatology.
So what is the strategy when stress hits? Should we address psychological issues first? Or maybe skin care will relieve both stress and skin?
The answer is work – both ways, from the inside out and from the outside in.
The practice of psychodermatology shows that skin treatments are more effective when patients practice mindfulness and meditation, have access to counseling, and take prescribed medications if necessary. On the other hand, skin conditions can cause great discomfort and increase the feeling of insecurity and stress, so successful skin care or
aesthetic treatments can increase psychological comfort and have a positive effect on mental health.
This is also one of the reasons why many national associations of skin therapists warn against the long-term closure of dermatological clinics and beauty salons. People need professional skin care for more than just vanity, their health is also at stake, albeit in a less direct way than with heart surgery.
How long-term anxiety and stress affect the skin?
Many people notice immediate acne breakouts in response to stress. Acne can manifest within a few hours of a panic attack or a strong feeling of anxiety, while rosacea can flare up almost immediately when you are confronted with stress. Psoriasis, neurodermatitis, eczema, atopic dermatitis – all these skin conditions can manifest themselves or worsen when negative emotions run high. The great thing is that it also works the other way around. It is no illusion that a happy face shines: the feelings of delight, happiness, serenity etc. are beneficial for the skin because they are accompanied by the increased synthesis of endorphins with a strong anti-inflammatory and anti-stress effect.
How does stress affect rosacea?
You can probably guess. During stressful times, rosacea can develop at the speed of forest fires. And to make matters worse, many people turn to alcohol and junk food when they are anxious or unhappy, which only makes their skin condition worse.
Can stress and anxiety cause vitiligo?
Stress does not cause vitiligo, but it is a trigger. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease, and stress and anxiety are known triggers of the body's autoimmune response that exacerbate pre-existing problems, not only skin conditions, but also diabetes, arthritis and other diseases. Severe stress can play a major role in the development of vitiligo and can affect the severity of the disease. Peptides help stressed skin. There is a whole class of neuromodulatory peptides that are able to interact with various structures of the nervous system, from sensitive nerve fibers to the cell receptors of mimic muscles.
Dr. Meder's top 3 anti-stress and anti-aging peptides
1. Skinasensyl (Acetyl Tetrapeptide-15) binds µ-opioid receptors and inhibits the release of CGRP from sensory neurons, transforming stressed skin into happy skin. Skinasensyl can also help to prevent most contact allergic reactions prevent, if used in sufficient concentration. I use Skinasensyl as a bit of magic in all Meder mask formulations to soothe the skin and achieve maximum anti-aging and skin wellness
response.
2. Calmosensine (acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester) is a small dipeptide Tyr-Arg (NATAH)
that stimulates the release of beta-endorphin in keratinocytes. Calmosensine
reduces the skin’s sensitivity to stress and environmental damage with its
proven calming and anti-irritant action, while also increasing
elastin synthesis in fibroblasts, especially tropoelastine. I use this
wonderful molecule in our facial slimming Lipo-Oval Concentrate, in combination
with caffeine, niacinamide and Slim Excess complex, to combat stress-related swelling,
bags and fat deposits.
3. Rigin (Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7) is also a small peptide with a great ability to
penetrate the deep layers of the skin. Rigin suppresses the excessive
production of inflammatory messengers interleukins and reduces
inflammation caused by both nervous and environmental stress. Rigin is one of
the few skin-identical peptides, meaning it is naturally present in
human skin. Rigin can trigger a signaling cascade that releases matrikins
that increase the production of vital collagen, elastin, proteoglycans and
glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid and glucuronic acid. I use Rigin
as a key player in Arma-Neck cream alongside vitamin E to repair the damaged
skin of the neck and décolleté and reduce wrinkles.”
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