Skin reacts to emotions.

Skin reacts to emotions

How our psychological state is reflected in the skin.

The skin

The skin is the largest organ of the body. Protects it from injuries, infections and environmental impacts such as UV light, heat, cold and air pollution. It is also involved in a number of complex biological processes. Contains sweat glands & blood vessels to help regulate body temperature, cells that use the sun to produce vitamin D, immune system cells that help fight invaders such as bacteria and viruses and nerve endings that are in constant contact with brain.

The connection of skin and emotions

The skin reacts to emotions. Like all organs in the body, it is affected by hormones and chemicals produced in the body due to our emotional state. The brain and nervous system affect the skin's immune cells through various receptors and chemical messengers.

We have all noticed some momentary changes in the appearance of the skin depending on the emotions, for example we blush when we feel embarrassed or shiver when we feel threatened. But beyond these momentary changes, our skin reflects our overall emotional and spiritual state. Interest in this relationship has led to the development of a field called psychodermatology or psychodermic medicine.

Certainly there are external and genetic factors that affect the quality and health of the skin, but psychology also plays an important role. So the goal of psychodermatology is to recognize that emotional issues can also be involved in skin quality.

The effect of negative emotions

Negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, sadness, anger, depression, anxiety create stress in the body. The result is the secretion of hormones including cortisol, epinephrine and small amounts of testosterone. The secretion of these hormones triggers a series of reactions that can lead to excessive sebum production, reduce the skin's ability to heal, stop the production of collagen and elastin. So a bad mood can be the cause of dull appearance, acne, dry skin, wrinkles, rashes, irritations and reduced skin elasticity.

The effect of positive emotions

Positive emotions such as happiness, love, calm, contentment, bliss, euphoria, wellness release the hormones of joy including endorphins, oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin. These hormones help the body to function properly, the blood to circulate well and the oxygen and nutrients to be effectively channeled to all the organs and therefore to the skin. The result is that the skin can naturally renew itself and repair its imperfections, eventually acquiring a smooth, soft, firm texture and a uniform and radiant appearance.

Take care of your emotional well-being

As you already know proper care, good cleansing and genetic factors affect the quality of the skin. But surely choosing a lifestyle that helps you fight stress and feel happy contributes significantly to the health of the skin. The more you take care of your emotional well-being, the more beautiful and radiant your skin will look. Aromatherapy, exercise, meditation, a walk in the sun, a day in the countryside, a hug, laughter, music and everything else that makes you calm and happy do good not only to your mind but also to your skin.

Christina Sakellariou, Chemist/Cosmetologist - HR Manager

The article was also published on Thrive Global Greece https://www.thriveglobal.gr/arthra/to-derma-antidra-sta-synaisthimata/