Stress is all around us and there are many ways that everyday stress can age you.
There’s little doubt that stress can affect your sleep and your physical and mental health. All of these things can directly or indirectly affect the health and vitality of your skin.
Pollution and toxins in the environment can also take a toll on your skin’s health and appearance – as can lowered levels of collagen, hydration and essential nutrients. All these things weaken your skin and allow wrinkles and lines to develop.
Stress changes the way we behave, increasing the likelihood that we fall back into unhealthy habits that can lead to wrinkles, including:
· Smoking – Unfortunately, stress and smoking tend to go together. Anyone who has ever smoked knows that stress can make you to reach for a cigarette and light up. Smoking is bad for your body and for your skin in particular. It impairs healthy circulation and it limits the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood vessels. All of this leads to fragile, parched skin that is more likely to wrinkle. And, the constant pursing of your lips around a cigarette every time you take a drag eventually causes fine lines and wrinkles to form around your mouth.
· Frowning – The facial movements we make when we are stressed can lead to permanent creases in the brow or between the eyes. So-called “frown lines” occur after repeatedly frowning or furrowing your brow. These deep lines can actually make you appear worried and stressed, even when you’re not.
· Lack of Sleep and Exercise – When you are stressed, you probably don’t sleep well, and you may not exercise as much as you should. Both of these things can lead to poor circulation and increased inflammation in your body, which directly affects your skin’s ability to heal and maintain its elasticity and tone.
· Unhealthy Diet – Many people reach for unhealthy foods when they are stressed. These “stress-induced” unhealthy diets typically are high in salt, added sugars, and preservatives, but lacking in essential vitamins and minerals. When you rob your body of essential nutrients, it is reflected in all parts of your body, and your skin is the most visible part of it.
· Hygiene and Skin Care Regimen – When you are severely or chronically stressed you may let hygiene and skin care lag. For example, you may forget to use sunscreen, cleanse your face less often, and neglect to use moisturizing and restorative creams. All these things make your skin more vulnerable to the appearance and worsening of wrinkles.
Luckily, there are treatments such as Botox and manual and chemical exfoliation that can help remove or reduce the appearance of wrinkles to restore the youthful appearance you want. At The Vein Institute & MediSpa in Kingwood, Texas, we are skilled in cosmetic body treatments designed to rejuvenate your skin and give you a more youthful appearance. Call us at (281) 312-0208 to ask what type of aesthetic options would work best for you, or request an appointment online.
