Stress Is Making Us Ugly
When a person experiences stress, a hormone called cortisol is released throughout the body. The high levels of cortisol are to blame for the damaging effects of our good looks.
The five most common effects to the skin because of high stress/cortisol levels are-
1. Dryness- Cortisol affects our skin's ability to hold on to water, diminishing the luminosity of the skin.
2. Fine lines- Increased cortisol levels raise blood sugar damaging collagen and elastin-the fibers that keep the skin firm and wrinkle-free.
3. Redness- Stress causes capillaries to expand and can trigger flushing to the skin (Rosacea )
4. Acne-Stress increases chemicals that cause inflammation in the skin, such as acne.
5. Tired eyes- We tend to sleep less when we are stressed. When you don't get a full 8 hours of sleep, your eyes become dark and puffy. Lack of sleep tends to cause the blood vessels under the thin skin of the eyes to dilate, creating a dark tint.
Our skin really is a reflection of our inner physical and mental health.
There is no amount of lighting, makeup, or airbrushing that can hide the effects of stress. It’s crucial to take steps to control stress levels. Start with what’s causing the most stress in your life and find ways to reduce the effects.
Lifestyle of Beauty recommends reading Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst It combines psychology, primatology, sociology, and neurobiology to explain why we behave the way we do and science-based ways to stop unnecessary stress.
If all else fails...
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