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How’s your skin health? Are you seeing more dark patches and freckles or sagging around the eyes and cheeks?
November 17, 2024
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Whether you’re facing work-related and financial pressure or an increasing worry for your teenagers, stress affects us in a variety of ways. It manifests outwardly, leading to skin breakouts, weight gain, and muscle aches, amongst others. These, in turn, can affect our self-confidence and wellbeing.
Types of stress
According to the Copeman Healthcare Centre, there are four main types of stress – all of which have adverse effects. Physical stress includes migraines and headaches; mental stress is depicted by anxiety and memory loss; emotional stress often involves mood swings; and behavioural stress can manifest through eating, sleeping and physical disturbances.
The negative stress on our body
1. Bad skin
Stress can disrupt our regular hormonal response system (known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, or HPA, axis) and this can lead to neurogenic and inflammatory response triggers on the skin level, directly affecting the skin’s ageing process. For example, an increase in stress levels results in the release of the hormone cortisol. This can increase sebum production, and the likelihood of getting acne.
Stress can also cause the skin to dry out and develop wrinkles. Over time, hyperpigmentation and volume loss can also occur. One way to tackle skin ageing is through a laser treatment like the Pico Fractional Laser, which can treat fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, acne scars, and pigmentation issues.
2. Overeating
Are you reaching for that bar of chocolate every time you feel stressed? Watch out for signs of emotional eating, which involves overeating food (and often unhealthy food) to deal with stress. If you need help keeping your weight down, we have a weight loss program led by Dr Ivan Puah.
3. Fat accumulation
Multiple studies, including this 2018 research, have shown that prolonged stress may cause a build-up of abdominal fat. Increased cortisol levels (a hormone produced during stress) are strongly related to abdominal obesity.
Vaser Liposuction may be the answer if you find it hard to shed the extra tummy flab. It permanently removes stubborn and excess fat tissues through ultrasound wave energy without harming the surrounding connective tissues. At the same time, it tightens the skin.
4. Migraines
Another effect of stress is that it can be a mighty trigger for intense, persistent headaches like migraines. Did you know that neuro-toxin injections can be used as a treatment for migraines? They help to relax tensed muscles, thus reducing migraine symptoms and pain as a whole.
5. Muscle tensions and aches
Our bodily systems and functions rely on being connected. Getting a grip on yourself is the first thing you must do when facing stressful situations. Take deep breaths, as they help to loosen muscle tensions. Your emotional wellbeing plays a crucial role in your mental health. Engage in activities that relax the mind, such as yoga, meditation, and the like. Learning proper breathing control methods also helps.
A form of holistic massage therapy, myotherapy (muscle therapy) is an effective treatment to manage and relieve muscular pain as well as symptoms related to stress. For example, anxiety, insomnia (sleep disorder), headaches, migraines or generalised aches and pain. During the session, the trained therapist may perform muscle stretching, soft tissue massage, trigger point therapy or passive stretching. The aim is to release tight muscle knots and tension and promote wellbeing for the individual.
Pain relief in Singapore
Established in 2004, Amaris B. Clinic offers medical aesthetic and surgical body sculpting treatments, including laser skin treatments, gynecomastia, Vaser Liposuction and pain management under one roof.
Medical Director, Dr Ivan Puah has over 20 years of clinical experience and is accredited by the Ministry of Health Singapore to perform liposuction. He also holds a graduate Diploma in sports medicine and is trained and proficient in sports medicine, with certification in dry needling and Exercise Prescription.
Focusing on holistic wellness and personalised care, our clinic aims to provide individuals with the support they need to lead an active and fulfilling life.
Disclaimer: The information provided herein is intended solely for educational purposes. This article is not intended to serve as medical advice or consultation. The content is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment. Individuals should seek the advice of their physician or other qualified health providers with any questions they may have regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read in the article.
