STRESS CAN CAUSE ACNE,
WHICH CAN LEAD TO DEPRESSION

Article Read Duration 4 min lectura


Feeling stressed? Exams or a big interview looming? It might just show on your face. Acne can be caused by stress, and the worse your acne gets, the more stressed you become, leading to a vicious cycle. Beyond stress, acne can also have a profound psychological impact and may lead to a lack of confidence and self-esteem. While some prescription acne medications have been accused of causing depression, getting expert advice to treat acne is the first step to achieving clear skin and a more positive mind-set.

ACNE FROM STRESS:
HOW IT WORKS

Acne can be caused by stress1. Research has shown, for example, that students experience a worsening of their acne during periods of stress such as exam season2. During periods of stress, our bodies overproduce hormones called androgens that stimulate excess sebum production, which can lead to spots. There may be other factors involved: Doctors still aren’t entirely sure of the nuts and bolts behind the stress effect. But the important thing is to know what to do about it.

Understand the link between oily skin and acne HERE.

HOW TO TREAT
STRESS ACNE

If stress is one of your acne triggers (stress acne is particularly relevant in adults), you need a two-pronged approach.

1. Manage your stress levels

Acne can be caused by stress, so reducing your stress levels will alleviate the “stress effect”. There are many simple techniques you can try to reduce stress. Consider taking a meditation or mindfulness course to help clear your mind. Or simply introducing exercise into your daily routine can be a great stress-reliever.

2. Treat stress acne directly

Stress acne may improve with reduced stress levels, but for a 360° stress acne treatment, you also need to tackle the underlying condition. If your acne persists, talk to your pharmacist, your GP or demartologist to find you a suitable treatments among the ones available.

CAN ACNE CAUSE
DEPRESSION?

In a word, yes, acne can cause all kinds of problems, including depression. A recent online survey conducted by the British Skin Foundation (BSF) discovered that the top psychological consequence in acne sufferers was a lack of self-confidence (70% of respondents), while more than half said they had trouble making friends because of their skin condition. It’s clear from the BSF’s findings that acne can make sufferers feel socially anxious and self-conscious, and it can also lead to depression and worse.

ACNE, DEPRESSION
AND SELF-HARM

According to a study published by the BSF (2012), the psychological impact of acne can be extremely serious, and is often overlooked, making sufferers feel alone and isolated. “Patients with acne and many other skin diseases often feel enormously upset about their skin condition, as it affects their confidence and self-esteem in so many different ways,” says Dr Bav Shergill, a spokesperson for the BSF, in a press release. “All too often the impact of skin disease is underestimated, and this survey will hopefully help draw attention to this fact.”

Alarmingly the survey also revealed that a further one in six (16%) people admitted to having self-harmed as a result of their skin disease. Some of those 125 people who took part also said they had even attempted suicide, with others stating they had contemplated suicide at some stage.

However, there is hope! Finding the right treatment is the first step towards clear skin and a more positive mind-set.

HOW ACNE CAUSES DEPRESSION:
A DERMATOLOGIST’S INSIGHTS

We asked dermatologist Dr Philippe Beaulieu how acne affects his patients’ psychological wellbeing.

“It tends to strike in adolescence, just when people are at their most vulnerable. Teenage years are all about learning who you are and forging bonds with your peers - acne can interfere with that process. The condition is not dangerous, but it can leave teens feeling uncomfortable in their own skin. Both self-image and self-esteem can suffer.”

Indeed, many studies have shown that acne sufferers display symptoms of both anxiety and depression, as well as feelings of low self-worth. It can even affect performance at work or school.

The condition has such profound effects that doctors have invented assessment tools to measure its impact on patients, such as the Acne Disability Index (ADI). Interestingly, the psychological consequences of acne are not proportional to its severity.

ACNE MEDICATION
AND DEPRESSION

Does isotretinoin (Accutane) cause depression?

The strongest acne medication, isotretinoin (Accutane), has been associated with depression in some studies, but for every study that finds a link, another one crops up that says the opposite! The truth is doctors aren’t sure whether this association really exists, but it is true that you are more likely to get isotretinoin-induced depression if you already have mental health issues.

If you do get depression while on Accutane, you can stop taking the medication and your symptoms should get better. If you want to stay on the drug but are feeling blue, ask your doctor about depression therapies like CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) or medicines called SSRIs.

TREAT THE ACNE,
TREAT THE DEPRESSION

Does isotretinoin (Accutane) cause depression?

"When a new patient comes through my door, I always tell them they've already taken the most important step - seeking help and not going it alone. As a team, we work towards clearer skin and a brighter outlook on life. That's what makes my job so rewarding!" Dr. Philippe Beaulieu

For an overview of oily skin and acne, click HERE.

Click HERE for more information on stress and acne.

1Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. 2017 Jul;25(2):1133-141.
The Impact of Pyschological Stress on Acne.
Jović A1, Marinović B, Kostović K, Čeović R, Basta-Juzbašić A, Bukvić Mokos Z.
2https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/features/stress-and-acne#1

TRUE
OR FALSE

True-or-false-visual-2

CHOCOLATE IS BAD
FOR ANE-PRONE SKIN.

FALSE TRUE-ANSWER

There is no solid evidence that chocolate has any effect on acne, evenif everyone is different so acne could cause breakouts to some people. Darkchocolate is actually filled with skin-loving anti-oxidants!
Más información
True-or-false-visual-1

OILY FOODS
EQUALS OILY SKIN.

FALSE TRUE-ANSWER

Acommon acne myth is that grease on your plate translates to more oil in yourpores, but there is no direct link between the two. However, a diet rich insaturated fat can fuel micro-inflammation in all of the body's organs,including the skin.  In short, bacon andchips won't cause acne, but moderation is the best policy for overall health.
Más información
True-or-false-visual-3

SUGAR CAN MAKE
ACNE WORSE.

TRUE TRUE-ANSWER

Recent studies haveshown that high Glycemic Index foods - the ones that cause blood sugar to spike- can make acne worse.  We know it's easier said than done, but to keepyour skin happy, steer away from sweets, sugary drinks, and goodies made fromwhite flour and stick to high-fiber foods, like whole grains and pulses, instead.
Más información
True-or-false-visual-2

SQUEEZING A PIMPLE WON'T
DO YOU MUCH GOOD.

TRUE TRUE-ANSWER

Even if it seems like aquick fix, squeezing a pimple will actually make things worse for your acne-proneskin as it could actually damage the infected hair follicle and increaseinflammation. You could even introduce a new infection with your fingernails.So popping zits is a harmful habit and best avoided!
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¿SABÍAS
QUE?

DidYouKnow_Desktop_1

Overly harsh products can cause a sebum-rebound effect and aggravate acne. Dermatologists recommend gentle adapted cleansing.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT
WHAT IS ACNE

placeholder TRATAMIENTOS MÉDICOS PARA EL ACNÉ:
UN DERMATÓLOGO COMPARTE SUS CONOCIMIENTOS
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placeholder CÓMO LIMPIAR Y CUIDAR LA
PIEL GRASA CON ACNÉ
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placeholder CÓMO PREVENIR
Y DESHACERSE DE UNA PIEL CON TENCENCIA AL ACNÉ CON UN RÉGIMEN DE LIMPIEZA REGULAR
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placeholder TRATAMIENTO PARA EL ACNÉ:
¿PUEDE EL SUEÑO REPARADOR MEJORAR LA PIEL CON TENDENCIA A IMPERFECCIONES?
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ABOUT ACNE-PRONE SKIN

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How can acne be treated?
By Dr Deshayes - dermatologist

 
Learn more about polymorphic acne and how to treat it. Dermatologist answer your question
"p>We generally talk about polymorphic acne. Polymorphic means that there are two types of lesions. Firstly, non-inflammatory lesions, i.e. lesions where a small plug - a blackhead - prevents the sebum from being eliminated and causes a build up of sebum deep down in the gland. This is called a micro cyst. Secondly, there are inflammatory lesions. In this case, sebum which is inflamed internally changes and causes inflammation.

The sebaceous gland breaks and leads to the formation of inflammatory lesions in the form of pimples or white-heads. Depending on the type of acne there may be a combination of both of these lesions. In the most severe forms there will be large number of micro cysts and blackheads as well as inflammatory lesions. Both types of lesions must be treated. Inflammatory eruptions should be treated locally with products such as benzoyl peroxide which has a very effective anti-inflammatory effectand should be applied in the evening. Avoid using local antibiotics because you may become resistant to them. In the case of the non-inflammatory lesions the plug which prevents sebum from being eliminated has to be removed using products which need to be aggressive. We would start treatment by using mild products such as fruit acids and especially LHA which is well tolerated and very effective. If these fruit acids are not effective or well tolerated we would proceed to the next step: drugs containing all vitamin A acid derivation therefore tretinoine which have a stripping action and consequently cause mild irritation. Do not forget to compensate for the dryness caused by the treatment by using moisturisers suitable for this skin type in the morning. If the inflammatory lesions are too large oral antibiotics - cyclines - can be prescribed for their anti-inflammatory action.

This oral treatment should preferably be taken in the evening. Care should be taken to avoid exposure to the sun as cyclines can be photo-sensitizing. Treatment is relatively long; about 2 or 3 months as a rule. Zinc can be also be used and hormonal therapy may be prescribed for girls. In fact, some contraceptive pills are used to treat acne and may resolve such problems easily. For more severe acne oral isotretinoins, which have quite severe side effects will be prescribed. Finally, prevention is the best treatment for scars so avoid touching, fiddling with, or bursting the pimples. If the scars persist after the acne is treated it is possible to resort to treatments such as the use of lasers which effectively reduce their appearance.

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