How Your Psyche Affects Skin Health

We are not only what we eat, but what we think and feel. And it seems that our skin knows this truth better than any other organs. It has long been known that children's atopic dermatitis can occur, among other things, due to insufficient physical proximity between the baby and the parents, and a skin allergic reaction to a certain seemingly harmless product, due to the fact that you feasted on it at the time of stress, nervous overexertion or depression.

These and many other problems are dealt with by psychosomatics - a field of medicine that explores the connection between our mental and physical changes. In this material, we have collected all the most interesting and useful about how your psyche affects the beauty and health of your skin and what you can do to minimize negative consequences and even prevent them.

How are they related

For dermatologists, the fact of the inextricable connection between the psyche and the state of the skin is the cornerstone of their knowledge. Today, medicine has advanced a lot and can explain in detail how internal imbalances affect skin health. Here are some of the most famous facts about this.

Childhood

It's no secret that the most painful of our problems can go back more than a dozen years, and sometimes go hand in hand with us from childhood. And this is especially true when it comes to the very complex relationship between our mental health and skin health.

In infancy, a person receives most of the information through the skin - through physical contact with the world around him, contact with his parents. In this regard, stroking the mother is not just a sign of love, but an important psychological factor. A parent's touch gives the baby a sense of satisfaction and reassurance.

Research has shown that children who had frequent body contact with their parents grew up to be more balanced and satisfied with themselves. Its deficiency can lead to early stress, which already in adulthood can manifest itself in skin reactions - irritation, redness and allergies.

Negative emotions

Our psyche is a subtle mechanism that is still poorly understood. However, the fact that self-esteem and emotions have a huge impact on our physical health cannot be denied. Negative experiences are especially destructive - depression, regular anxiety, bouts of aggression and anger. That is why emotionally unstable people are most often faced with skin problems - itching, flaking and even premature aging of the skin.

Stress

Today, almost all residents of megacities walk with elevated levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Dermatologists never tire of telling their patients: stop being nervous - stop complaining about the skin. However, everything is not as simple as it might seem at first glance.

The release of cortisol causes cells to secrete other substances and blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to ruptures. On the skin, this manifests itself in the form of inflammation. It is also known that at the moment of stress, nerve cells provoke the growth of other cells - mast cells, which are actively involved in inflammatory processes. However, what is most interesting: mast cells lead to an even greater growth of nerve tissue, and this, in turn, to the appearance of an even larger number of mast cells. It turns out that permanent stress is a terrible thing for the beauty of our skin. And getting out of this unhealthy circle is not so easy (read also: "5 ways to protect skin from stress from Anne de Mamiel").

How to help the psyche and skin

An unhealthy environment and a frantic pace of life in modern cities only exacerbate the skin problems that our own psyche brings to us: more stress, less sleep - your skin is crying and requires urgent action. And, to tell the truth, peels and masks are not the best helpers when we want to forget about skin problems for a long time. In this case, you can offer several alternative ways to help work on the psychological roots of your illness.

Relaxation and Meditation

Relaxing your muscles, concentrating your breathing, and practicing meditation are great tools for dealing with hot flashes that have already become a habit. People have used these methods for a long time to treat acne, eczema, hyperhidrosis. One study of a group of psoriasis sufferers found that those who listened to meditation tapes during phototherapy recovered much faster than those who received it without music. Sound magic in action! (read also: "7 facts about mindfulness meditation")

Psychotherapy

Many psychotherapeutic approaches can help cope with skin conditions. Such practices act directly on behavioral patterns and help relieve general stress from the body. It is also important that a professional therapist helps you: you have the opportunity to understand the root causes of skin problems and enter into a harmonious relationship with it. And this is the first step towards a healthy appearance.

Photo: Getty Images