Stress is a major aggravating factor of acne.  And acne is also a major source of stress.  Anyone caught in the middle of this circle can quickly get lost.  They see and feel their acne and experience extreme emotional stress which then aggravates their inflammatory condition.  The breakout worsens and the stress increases further.  

      When I talk about stress, my patients often tell me, “I wouldn’t have any real stress if my skin were normal.”   The problem is that skin doesn’t heal overnight and the stress needs to be broken immediately.  I teach all my patients that you have to take a detour around fixing this “acne-induced” stress.  Rather than waiting for your skin to heal before you feel less stressed out, immediately break the stress with fitness techniques that are unrelated to the skin.  Examples are yoga, cardio, biking outside, hiking, sports, martial arts, dancing, swimming, etc.  Anything that will clear your mind of thought.  Many people tell me, “I’m already doing that stuff.”  My response is always,  ”Fitness is an art.  You can’t master it or just get it done.  It’s an ever-evolving skill that needs to be taken to the next level if you are not gaining massive stress relieving rewards from it.”

It’s the deep self thought and self consciousness that you need to take a vacation from.  This clearing can not be done through the mind.  It can only be achieved through the body.  If you can learn to leave your mind behind and get in touch with the energy of the body, you will find yourself at a better biochemical stress level.  This lowered stress level is tangible, and will allow to the body to heal itself better.

©2008 Stress and Acne (which came first?)  by Dr. Neal Schwartz