Can Holiday Stress Really Change My Skin?
It’s that time again! There’s the cooking, washing, and shopping, eating and drinking, and staying up late catching up. Yes, it is the holiday season, the most wonderful time of the year. This is the time when you want and need to look your best, but with all the hustle and bustle, not to mention the harsh weather, your skin may end up looking its worst. Here are some tips to keep your skin looking young and fresh throughout the holiday season.
What Stress Does to Your Skin
Wrinkling and Fine Lines
Stress, especially at this time of the year, will have your skin aging sooner than it should. When we stress, cortisol levels rise and begin to break down collagen. Thus, the skin will become loose, causing wrinkles and fine lines. Avoiding stress will help your skin retain its much-needed collagen and keep it full and bouncy.
Alopecia Areata
Wrinkled skin isn’t the only dermatological impact stress has. Alopecia is also a problem, especially during the holidays. Alopecia occurs when the body’s white blood cells see the hair follicles as foreign bodies and attack them. This hair loss causes a lot of frustration. Although this kind of alopecia is temporary, it can take months and sometimes years before the hair grows back.
Under-Eye Bags
When the skin sags, eye bags form underneath the eyelids. Remember how cortisol kills collagen? Well, collagen is already lacking in the eye area, so imagine if cortisol is zapping it away. The under-eyelids begin to sag and lose their elasticity, creating unseemly bags.
Acne
Stress causes a breakout of acne, which also tends to heal slowly when those cortisol levels are high. Acne scars also take longer to clear under stress.
Rashes
Rashes from stress appear as red bumps also known as hives. They may start as small dots and progress to clusters of large welts.
Keeping Your Skin Young This Holiday
Get Plenty of Rest
If you sleep for only 5 hours a night, you may develop twice as many fine wrinkles than if you were to sleep for 7 hours straight. As you sleep, your body rejuvenates and re-energizes itself while simultaneously boosting blood flow, giving you a healthy glow when you wake up. Your skin may appear drab, ashen, or lifeless if you do not get enough sleep.
Stay Hydrated
We’re made up of mostly water, so depriving yourself of it can have serious implications including dry, cracked, and wrinkled skin. Water keeps your skin moisturized from the inside, so consume plenty of fluids to keep your skin shiny and supple. You should drink the recommended 8 glasses of water each day.
Keeping Up with Your Skin Care Routine
Do not neglect your skincare routine at this time. No matter how stressful or busy you get, moisturizing, cleansing, and exfoliating will help your skin stay radiant and beautiful throughout this season.
If you happen to be in Cincinnati, Ohio, our experts at The Dermatology Group can help you with more tips to keep your skin beautiful during this holiday season. Book a consultation with us today and find out how to go about it.