Stress and Your Skin & Hair: Signs and Solutions

You might think stress is causing you nothing more than a headache or maybe a queasy feeling, but the effects of stress go way deeper than that. In fact, they run under your skin (quite literally), making you see its repercussions from your toe to your hair? You read it right! Discover how below. 

Skin Signals: How Stress Affects Your Skin

The ‘stress effect’ can make its presence known (and felt) on your skin in a myriad of ways. Like the ones we’ve talked about below! 

• Why stress often leads to acne breakouts

When stress leaves a mark, your face bears witness, hosting its proof which is the unwelcome guest of acne. Since stress can trigger your sebum production, expect clogged pores, nasty bacteria build-up and resultant acne. Sigh. 

• Understanding redness and uneven skin tone caused by stress

Stress can automatically trigger your body’s flight or fight response, which means greater amounts of cortisol and adrenaline in your body. These can cause that rush of blood you so often feel when stressed, leading to temporary redness. 

• How stress contributes to dryness and lacklustre skin

Dryness and dullness are the sad duo of stress-induced skin changes. Chances are if you’re too stressed, your skin’s protective barrier will break down and decrease cell turnover, leading to dehydrated and lacklustre skin. 

• Dealing with under-eye bags and dark circles

As you know, stress can cause a bit of fluid imbalance in your body. The result? Those dreaded undereye bags. And since stress can wreak havoc on your sleep, can dark circles really be far behind?

• Premature ageing: Stress speeds up fine lines and wrinkles

Unfortunately, stress is a catalyst for ageing. The release of stress hormones can lower your body’s elastin and collagen levels, putting the appearance of wrinkles on the fast track. 

Hair Havoc: Stress’s Impact on Your Hair

Skin isn’t the only thing that suffers when stress pays you a visit. Here’s how this menace can impact your hair. 

• Stress-related hair loss: Why you might notice more shedding

Did you know that excess stress can trigger a condition known as telogen effluvium? This condition forces a large section of your hair into resting phase, causing thinning and hair loss. Painful!

• How stress disrupts the hair growth cycle, causing thinning

The one thing that can completely throw your hair growth cycle off balance is stress. Like we said, stress can make your hair enter the resting phase prematurely, stunting growth and causing thinning. 

• Dry, brittle hair: Stress affects scalp oil production

Your scalp’s natural oil production might go out of whack, thanks to stress, leading to dry, brittle hair that breaks easy. Even if you’re gentle. 

• Early greying: Stress can accelerate grey hair

If there’s one thing that can speed up premature greying, it’s stress. After all, it depletes your melanocytes levels, which are the pigments that give your hair its natural colour. 

• Scalp issues: Understanding dandruff and irritation caused by stress

Finally, stress can cause your scalp to dysfunction. It might send your scalp’s sebaceous glands into overdrive, causing dandruff, and greasy, weighed down hair that looks limp. 

Managing Stress for Healthy Skin and Hair

From following an appropriate skincare routine and haircare routine to living more mindfully, there’s a lot you can do to manage stress and mitigate its effects. Here are some tips for reducing stress. 

• Simple self-care routines: Easy ways to relax and rejuvenate

Self-care should be priority #1 if you suffer from stress. Do anything that helps you beat stress - whether that’s curling up with your pet or having an elaborate nighttime skincare routine. As long as you can destress, you’re good. 

• Healthy habits: Eating well, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of sound sleep

You might not know this but the right foods can dramatically reduce your stress levels. Think leafy greens, berries, nuts and more. Oh, and by the way, staying hydrated and getting eight hours of shut-eye can also cause your stress levels to dip. 

• Building a skincare routine: Essential steps for clear, glowing skin

Having a good skincare ritual can help you reclaim clear, glowing skin that you used to have. Only if you choose the right products that is. We suggest going natural because there’s no chance of side effects, only benefits. Explore our range Ayurvedic moisturisers, skin brightening creams, toners and cleansers to get radiant, smooth skin!

• Hair Care essentials: Products and routines for strong, healthy hair

Your haircare routine should be just as carefully thought out as your skincare one. Focus on tackling hair fall with a gentle shampoo for hair loss. Incorporate an Ayurvedic oil for a decompressing head massage, and an organic hair mask to keep your tresses smooth and hydrated. You’ll find them all in our range of luxurious natural haircare products. 

Wellness FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Need a quick recap? Here’s everything you need to know about stress, skin, and hair health in a short and sweet format. 

• How stress impacts skin and hair health

Stress can throw both your skin and hair health off track due to the production of stress hormones, which in turn can cause a myriad of issues from dull, dehydrated skin and dark circles to hair loss, rough hair, dandruff, and more. 

• Effective relaxation techniques: Tips for reducing stress

One of the best tips for reducing stress is practising self-care everyday. Having an all natural skin and hair care routine can also work wonders for you. Also, be mindful of what you eat, choosing foods that are natural stress busters such as fresh fruits and greens. 

• The role of exercise: How physical activity benefits skin and hair

Exercising can give you a dopamine hit (the feel good hormone, remember?). This boost in the production of feel good hormones can bring your stress levels down, thus helping you sleep better and combat stress-induced skin and hair health problems. 

Stress might sound like a lot to deal with but the right lifestyle changes can help you out. Which, of course, include, switching to all natural, Ayurvedic skin and hair products that transform your complexion and locks for the better. 

Ready to make the switch? Shop now!