How Stress Affects Your Appearance - And What to Do About It

Stress. Ugh. It’s everywhere. It’s exhausting. It’s inescapable.

Some guys seem to thrive on stress. They’re always busy, constantly working on a long to-do list. That might make them seem like enviable overachievers. But be warned: stress affects your appearance, and not in a good way.

Here are several ways stress can jack up the way you look. Call it incentive to chill out and start reducing your daily stress levels, ASAP.

Stress Accelerates Hair Loss

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are three different types of hair loss related to high stress level. In the first - telogen effiuvium, stress puts your hair follicles into a resting phase. Eventually, the strands just fall out with washing or combing. In the second, trichotillomania, you get so stressed and frustrated that you literally pull your hair out. And the third, alopecia areata, happens because you’re so stressed out your immune system attacks your hair follicles.

Stress Makes You Go Gray Early

Yes, hair turning gray is a genetic process. And no, stress is not 100% to blame. But living a constantly stressed out lifestyle accelerates the process, leaving you with an aged appearance 10 years earlier than necessary.

Scientific American reports that “stress and lifestyle give you variation of plus or minus five to 10 years” over genetic graying. This effect has also been observed and reported on by general practice physicians.

Stress Causes Acne

According to the International Dermal Institute, “the primary aggravating factor leading to adult acne is chronic stress.” Clearly it’s a major problem. Clinical studies show that amongst adults ages 20-40, up to 55% suffer from persistent acne.

The combination of a stressful lifestyle with low-quality skincare products made with irritating chemicals is a recipe for acne disaster. So make a decided effort to reduce your stress levels to clear up issues with adult acne. But switch to the best natural skincare products for men too.

Stress Dries Your Skin Out

Depending on your skin type and hormonal reactions to stress, you may deal with dry skin when you’re stressed instead of oily acne. This is especially true if you suffer from psoriasis, eczema, or other chronic skin problems.

Stress Ages You

Research shows that getting burnt out on the job causes cellular damage that speeds up the aging process. Psychological stress - in this case measured by work-related exhaustion - shortens “the DNA-protein complexes that cap chromosomal ends in cells.”

What does that mean? That your cells cannot replicate themselves as effectively and cellular damage is occurring. The results are the common signs of aging you’re all too familiar with - age spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone.

What to Do About It

Reducing your daily stress levels is easier said than done. Start by identifying major sources of stress in your life and finding ways to reduce them a little at a time. Make time for regular exercise each week and focus on getting enough sleep.

To fight the effects of stress on your skin, use the best natural skincare products for men. If stress is aging your skin, the best anti-aging products for men will help restore a youthful, natural appearance.