Ask any teen who suffers from acne and many will tell you that their skin seems to break out more when they are feeling stressed. In fact, emotional stress has long been believed to have an impact on acne severity. Now a landmark study confirms these beliefs.
A study published in the March 2007 issue of Acta Dermato-Venereologica confirms high stress does indeed aggravate acne in teenagers. The study measured the stress levels, sebum production, and acne severity of 94 teenagers in Singapore. The average age of the teens was 14.9, and most had mild to moderate acne.
The teens' stress levels were measured, by means of a self-questionnaire using the Perceived Stress Scale, one day before an important school exam and again two months later during a school holiday. Acne severity and sebum levels were also measured at these times. Singapore was chosen for the study because of its fairly consistent temperature and humidity levels, both of which are known to influence sebum production.
During the period of high stress (just before the exam) teens were 23% more likely to have increased severity of acne than during the period of low stress (during the school holiday). Interestingly enough, there was no perceived difference in the amount of sebum levels on the skin during high or low stress periods.
Dr. Gil Yosipovich, professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine states in a news release, "Our research suggests that acne severity associated with stress may result from factors others than sebum quantity. It’s possible that inflammation may be involved."
Study results suggest stress-related inflammation might be a factor in acne severity. Previous studies have shown stress causes inflammation within the body.
Sources:
Yosipovitch, G. "Study of Psychological Stress, Sebum Production and Acne Vulgaris in Adolescents." Acta Dermato-Venereologica (2007); 87(2): 135-139.
