Stress is a factor in many health illnesses, and it is on the rise in our everyday lives. When skin conditions arise, stress, thyroid and gut connections must be considered. Over the last decade, stress, anxiety, worry and tension have become increasingly recognized as having a direct impact on the skin.
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Stress is a factor in many health illnesses, and it is on the rise in our everyday lives. When skin conditions arise, stress, thyroid and gut connections must be considered. Over the last decade, stress, anxiety, worry and tension have become increasingly recognized as having a direct impact on the skin.
Understanding the numerous facets of stress and how it is related to physical and aesthetic problems is crucial to successful spa treatment outcomes. Let’s look at the effects of stress on the gut, microbiome, hormones, thyroid and the skin.
Defining Stress
Stress is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as: “pressure or tension on a material object, or a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.” Exercise, digestive problems, diseases, fear, anxiety, anger and worry can all be considered forms of stress if one applies this definition.
This leaves little room in our daily lives for happiness and enjoyment! And that is where the issue lies.
Let’s start with understanding the natural pathway the body produces during times of stress. The hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands (HPA) axis pathway is activated during stressful situations. Stress is detected by the hypothalamus in the brain, which prompts the pituitary gland to release the hormone, adrenocorticotropic (ACTH). The adrenal gland subsequently responds to this hormone by secreting cortisol, cortisone or adrenaline.
Cortisol is essential for fighting off diseases, intruders and toxins. It is the hormone responsible for waking us up in the morning with good energy, followed by a decline for the rest of the day, with the lowest levels in the evening so sleep can occur.
Cortisol also functions as the master conductor of all other hormones and glands when the brain detects fear, worry, tension, etc. For instance, the brain signals melatonin production to slow down to a halt while under stress, simply because it needs the brain to be attentive.
In cases when extra energy is required, a signal to raise insulin is sent out simultaneously. The problem is that free radicals, inflammation and glycation all rise in response to chronically elevated insulin levels. The delicate flora in the gut and skin may be upset by elevated cortisol and insulin levels, which can lead to acne on the face, back and chest. Glycation, food malabsorption, dehydration and elevated toxins are directly related to a rise in insulin or blood sugar levels.
Related: The Impact of Stress on the Skin
Stress and Thyroid Function
Reports of thyroid conditions have surged over the past decade. The common issue is that despite engaging in regular physical activity and a healthy diet, weight gain in the midsection, thighs and arms persists, along with dry, flaky and sagging. This is frequently linked to the thyroid, but there is much more to it.
The hypothalamic, pituitary, thyroid (HPT) axis pathway is another stress source affecting the thyroid. The biological feedback system that controls this route reacts to stress as well as metabolism. Additionally, when we have too much or too little cortisol, the thyroid gland perceives this as a stress signal that causes the thyroid gland to slow down metabolism.
When too much cortisol is produced, it impacts the thyroid function whether the person has a diagnosed or undiagnosed thyroid condition. This can happen to anyone under chronic stress.
A hypothyroid condition will impact how well the body can clear out stress hormones; it tends to keep cortisol around longer in the body because of the slowed metabolism. This is often the reason some will feel better initially when taking medications until the thyroid hormone imbalance is corrected. But, this can unmask an adrenal hormone imbalance.
The Impact on Skin
Stress influences the skin by altering cellular metabolism, thyroid health and gastrointestinal function. Estheticians are aware that cellular metabolism is essential for waste disposal and cell turnover.
But the thyroid regulates metabolism, and the skin will exhibit signs of dryness, sagging and lack of oxygen if a client leads a chronically stressful lifestyle. Keep in mind that everything is sluggish if the thyroid is also sluggish. Stress, however, could be a mediating factor.
The skin is a target of many stress mediators, according to the authors of one study.1 Another study found that the skin is a complex, stress-induced network, which is confirmed by many skin diseases including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, chronic urticaria, warts and acne.4 The researchers also discovered that many skin conditions may be triggered by cortisol, which affects the skin’s integrity, level of inflammation and ability to heal well.
According to other research, the inner and outer cellular surfaces share a surprising number of similarities with the microbiome of the gut and skin. Both surfaces are vital for immunological and endocrine function and are in direct contact with the outside world.2,3
Additionally, research has revealed that gut and skin tissues both react strongly to stress and anxiety. For instance, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involve a dysfunctional epithelial barrier and a high rate of cellular turnover.5
As our culture engages in increasingly stressful lifestyles, skin conditions will present themselves with indirect correlations to stress. When treating clients, offer added solutions to decrease stress, such as walking in nature, engaging in meaningful relationships and eating habits that support the gut, thyroid and skin health. Skin therapists will also benefit from working alongside a functional medicine practitioner to help provide short- and long-term solutions for your clients.
Susan Wade M.Ed., L.E., has more than 30 years of experience in education, kinesiology, athletic training, nutrition and aesthetics. Her functional medicine business dives deeper into resolving health issues, connecting the gut, stress, skin and inside health to help others regain their own health.
