BEAUTY Emotions and skin breakouts

Your skin in mind


Bernie Fahy

Does stress cause your acne or rosacea to flare up? Do you get spots and pimples when you are worried about something? You’re not alone.
Emotions can have a great impact on your skin. Your mind and your skin are closely linked, and when you feel anxious or nervous your skin can flare up. Our stress levels increase and we produce a stress hormone called cortisol, which can stimulate the skin’s oil production. This, in turn, causes a build-up of sebum and then a breakout.
In the clinic, I often find that patients who suffer with rosacea are highly stressed. They might have suffered a recent trauma such as a death or a separation, or they might be having a hard time at work or at home. Often, they tend to hold their emotions inside and not get angry.
Emotions will become physically manifest in the body in one shape or form, however – and spots and blemishes are among the most frequent manifestations. Ironically, while you might be able to hide your anxieties, there’s no hiding the breakouts that result.
To tackle the situation, the best thing you can do is relax. This might be easier said than done, but acupuncture, herbal medicine and yoga can often help. Also, try to ensure the skincare products you are using are not making the problem worse, and make sure you include plenty water and fresh vegetables in your diet.
Lastly, don’t hide away. Seek professional help from a skin specialist as soon as you can, and tackle the problem head on. Working out exactly what is causing the flare-ups means you can start to resolve them, and a personalised treatment plan will help keep your skin under control.

Bernie Fahy works in Ballinrobe, Westport and Galway. She can be contacted at 086 2220125 or info@bernietheskinspecialist.com. For more information, visit www.bernietheskinspecialist.com
.