Worrying About It: Stress wages chemical warfare: Pro-inflammatory neuropeptides make the skin more reactive (worsening acne and psoriasis, for example), while hormones like adrenaline constrict your blood vessels, depriving the tissue of nutrients, explains Rick Fried, MD, PhD, a dermatologist, psychologist, and clinical director of Yardley Dermatology Associates in Pennsylvania. "Long-term stress," he says, "can cause the production of cortisol, which potentially leads to thinning of the skin."Skin Fix: Guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, hypnosis, biofeedback, exercise, yoga, and tai chi are all good ways to manage stress and help improve your complexion, says Fried.
Being Picky: Squeezing pimples and picking blemishes are not winning strategies for anyone. "But this is the top wrecker for brown skin," says Susan Taylor, MD, director of the Skin of Color Center at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center. "Just about any manipulation—especially if the skin is already inflamed—will result in hyperpigmentation (discoloration), which can last months to years and is very difficult to treat."
Skin Fix: If your skin is inflamed, see a dermatologist ASAP. A steriod injection, for example, can make the problem go away quickly without leaving marks.
Cheating Sleep: A candle may be a girl's best friend (what lighting is more flattering?) but don't burn it at both ends. "Stress hormones are at their lowest during sleep, while the anti-inflammatory molecules are at their highest," says New York dermatologist and psychiatrist Amy Wechsler, MD, author of The Mind-Beauty Connection. "So the less you sleep, the worse for your skin."
Skin Fix: "The studies say you should get 8 hours, but it's hard," Wechsler notes. "Start by adding 30 minutes, and see if you can tell the difference."
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