The Impacts of Stress on Inflammation and Ageing
This topic has never been more pivotal and relevant than it is right now. Many of my clients are experiencing some of the highest rates of stress they have endured yet, and it’s no wonder. Not only has western society continued to normalise the busy, ‘have-it-all’ lifestyle, but we have spent over two years enduring fires, floods, food shortages, widespread resignations, and war - all through a pandemic. With such heightened levels of stress, it’s crucial to understand the toll it takes on our bodies, particularly if we are seeking to keep our skin in its best possible condition.
Stress has a huge impact on our bodies, and all of its systems. This includes our skin. The body’s response to stress is a complex cascade of chemical reactions that leave a ripple effect, and this can lead to not only inflammatory skin conditions, but premature ageing. In order to prevent this, we will need to further understand what exactly stress is doing to our skin, in order to understand how to address it.
The HPA Axis
At the core of our body’s stress response is the Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal axis, or HPA axis. This is our body’s negative feedback loop that is triggered when we encounter any type of stressor, whether it be a public speaking event, a work deadline, threat of physical danger, or meeting new people. It’s important to remember everyone’s response to a stressor is subjective and individual. When stress is experienced, the Hypothalamus region of the brain releases Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone. This is picked up by the Pituitary Gland, which releases Adrenocorticotropic Hormone into the bloodstream. Once this is detected by the Adrenal Glands, they release Cortisol, our most commonly-known stress hormone. Cortisol is known to be responsible for a number of detrimental effects, particularly on skin health.
Cortisol and oxidative damage
Cortisol is known for provoking an inflammatory response in the body. While in moderation this is not excessively harmful, it can be over a long period. Prolonged elevated levels of systemic cortisol have shown to cause excessive levels of inflammation, which over time cause free radicals and even damage to cellular DNA. High numbers of free radicals eventually leads to what is referred to as Oxidative Stress, which means more free radicals than antioxidants. Free radicals are unstable molecules which roam around the body causing damage to skin cells, lipids and proteins such as collagen, in an effort to stabilise themselves. We naturally have antioxidants in the body that can assist in neutralising these for us, however, if the free radical count becomes too many, the damage can become excessive. This is where skincare and nutritional antioxidants come in. The tissue, oil and protein damage caused by free radicals can lead to signs of ageing including lines and wrinkles, dryness, skin laxity, dullness, and poor cell turnover, making antioxidants a key tool in the fight against stress-induced ageing.
Inflammation
We know that cortisol causes inflammation, and inflammation causes free radicals, which then creates even more inflammation. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle, and should be approached in a multi-faceted way. Antioxidants are important to address Oxidative Stress, but what about the inflammation? Those who are highly stressed or experiencing conditions like anxiety will be more prone to inflammatory conditions, such as Eczema, Dermatitis, Rosacea, or generalised barrier impairment. Stress hormones have several additional impacts which can worsen symptoms of inflammation and irritation on the skin. Cortisol induces Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) which means skin become dry and dehydrated more easily. Stress also triggers more Histamine release, provoking red and itchy sensations. If we respond to this urge to itch and physically scratch the skin, even more Histamine is released. All of these factors can lead not only to discomfort, but further premature ageing, cell damage, even excessive pigmentation production, and an impaired barrier that cannot trap moisture in and protect our skin from harmful pathogens as it is designed to do. And to top it all off, stress hormones significantly impair our skin’s natural healing abilities, making it hyper-sensitive and often unable to heal itself back to health.
Stress’ impacts on the gut
Many don’t realise how hugely gut health and digestion can be affected by stress. When we are going through stress, our digestive system essentially goes into sleep mode - it is not a priority for the body at that moment. All the body wants to do is make sure you get out of danger safely, which means providing energy to your muscles and your brain so that you can move. Digestion does not function at full capacity and absorption of essential nutrients is impacted. Unfortunately, cortisol’s inflammatory effects also extend to the gut. Cells of the digestive mucosa or normally held together extremely tightly, forming a leak-proof barrier - much like the skin’s barrier. Much in the same way that inflammation damages this tight skin barrier, your gut mucosa can become leaky, causing all kinds of digestive issues and preventing hydration and nutrients from being absorbed the way they should. And of course, lack of nutrient absorption means your body and your skin won’t receive their optimal amounts.
While small amounts of stress is important for our bodies to function and maintain homeostasis, and allow us to carry out tasks like work and exercise, excessive or ongoing stress can certainly cause significant damage leading to cell damage, premature ageing and barrier impairment. Our bodily systems are very clever, but intricately linked, so when our mental health is impacted, so too is our skin and our gut health.This is why many practitioners, including myself, aim to educate on these impacts and approach it multi-factorially through skincare, nutrition, and stress management. Combining antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and nutrient-rich ingredients in our skincare routines and our diets can be our best chance at improving our skin’s health and longevity as long as possible. And of course, creating tailored stress reduction routines and techniques that work for you as an individual - no one technique works the same for everyone! If you have been searching for a truly customised lifestyle solution that addresses your skin concerns in ways that incorporate your mental health, gut health, and holistic wellbeing, I would love to hear from you! Click here to embark on your journey with an Initial Skin + Wellness Consultation.
