Acne and the Stress Connection

Acne breakouts very often follow times of stress. The more anxiety and more hormone stimulation, the more acne flare-ups you will experience. Under stress, your body suffers first at its weakest link, which for acne prone individuals, are sebaceous follicles.

Stress activates the adrenal glands to produce extra hormones. The stress and hormone connection creates more problems for women because women produce much of the male hormones in their adrenal glands. The adrenals can be powerfully stimulated under stress. Men in contrast produce most of their hormones in the testes, and only a small amount in the adrenal glands. Men produce testosterone at such routinely high levels that their sebaceous glands generally remain at maximum stimulation so extra surges of testosterone, even when produced as a result of stress, have less of an effect on acne. For women, only a tenth of the amount of male hormone levels can be significant. This also explains why for men the levels of breakout are more constant and for women acne can fluctuate widely.

Stress stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete an adrenal-stimulating hormone (ACTH) and, in turn, the hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands in the skin. This increased oil secretion triggers the slugging of dead cells in the pores, thus causing inflammation and breakouts.

An extreme stress hormone reaction called Pyoderma Faciale, and is seen most commonly in women in their twenties and thirties. This reaction can hit abruptly and may even be their first experience with acne. Pyoderma Faciale affects areas of the face and is usually characterized by large, very red, painful lesions. However it does not affect all women under stress- but it can affect those who may have a specific enzyme deficiency. This deficiency, which suppresses the adrenal output of hydrocortisone, can prompt the adrenals to dump out excessive amounts of testosterone (it has been shown, that slowing down testosterone help this process with the intake of birth control pills). But body altering drugs are not for everyone due to side effects such as weight gain, facial hair growth and headaches, just to name a few.

The good news is through the continued use of a properly prescribed at home skin regime, regular corrective in-clinic treatments and the intake of appropriate dietary supplements, you can expect to control flare-ups.