Is It True That Stress Causes Dredging In The Face? Check Out The Doctor's Opinion

JAKARTA - Stress affects appearances in various ways. Stress can accelerate the process of gray hair, trigger acne, and cause hair to fall out. Not only that, uncontrolled stress can also cause a person to experience premature aging. A stressful life can cause the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Yes, stress can cause wrinkles. "Stress contributes to the formation of wrinkles on the skin through various channels," explained board-certified dermatologist Annie Chiu, MD, as reported by Byrdie, Tuesday, December 31.

"Stress increases the basic cortisol levels in the body, which triggers collagen damage and elastic tissue, which causes skin thinning and wrinkles. Repeated facial expressions resulting from stress on the forehead and between eyebrows (the so-called 'daunture line') can also lead to the scratched of this line of concern."

Jason B. Diamond, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon further explained that over time, this thinning of collagen and elastin led to the formation of wrinkles. More stress is the same as more wrinkles.

Stress can also cause wrinkles in an indirect way. "Stress can cause you to do behaviors such as drinking alcohol, using vape, and eating unhealthy foods that have a negative impact on the skin," Diamond said.

In addition to wrinkles on the face, stress can also cause other skin problems.

"Stress and increased levels of cortisol worsen pre-existing skin inflammation conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Stress has been shown to increase transepidermal water loss (lossing skin moisture), which causes the skin to become more dehydrated," said Chiu.

Stress can also cause an inflammatory response in the body. That's why you often hear the term 'cortisol convex' or people who feel their stomach is heavy due to high stress levels," said Diamond. "The same thing happens to the skin because inflammation increases oxidative stress which inhibits the natural ability of the skin to improve and regenerate."

Even so, there are several alternative ways that can be done to help reduce stress and the effects that cause wrinkles, namely changing lifestyles.

"Managing stress is important for overall skin health, beauty and health," said Diamond.

"I personally take a 360-degree approach to anti-aging and health, and reducing stress is a big factor. Stress management, diet, exercise, lifestyle (limiting alcohol, smoking, and exposure to protective sunlight for a long period of time), sleep 8-10 hours per night, and drink water with a capacity that suits your weight, all of which are ways to age well," he said.

Chiu also added that holistic routines such as meditation to help manage stress will benefit the skin directly or indirectly.