With everything our society has endured over the past couple of years, it’s no wonder that many of us are feeling the emotional toll on our stress levels now more than ever. Stress can emerge in various forms, and consistent pressure directly impacts both our mental and physical health.
One of the most prominent aesthetic links to stress is the appearance of premature ageing that can materialise on the skin. While this can feel disconcerting as fine lines begin to creep in and deepen over time, there are a number of ways you can manage the effects of stress on the skin and wind back unwanted years on the clock.
Let’s take a deeper look into some common causes of increased tension, as well as a few of our best self care tips for minimising tell-tale signs of premature skin ageing, and some of the best beauty treatments to indulge in to help wind back the years.
Common stress triggers
Stress is a natural reaction that arises from feelings of overwhelm caused by everyday demands and events. Although a common aspect of daily life, stress can significantly impact wellbeing unless adequately managed. Some of the most common tension triggers include:
- Times of uncertainty – The covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had a profound effect on the mental wellbeing of individuals across the globe. Bereavement, isolation and concerns about the financial future have all contributed to a negative impact on mental health.
- Work pressure – With the average workweek amounting to 40 hours over five days, it’s no wonder that the workplace is one of the most common environments in which people can feel stressed. Long hours, tight deadlines and feelings of burnout are all contributing factors in workplace tension.
- Facing big changes – Naturally, a significant life alteration such as a cross-country move or relationship breakdown will notably influence mental health and wellbeing. Worry associated with such events can accelerate the symptoms of premature ageing.
Effects of stress on the skin
Stress and anxiety can have a profound effect on overall skin wellness and show up physically in a number of different ways. The hormones that are released by the body when it experiences stress lead to psychological triggers that can adversely impact the skin barrier. Feelings of anxiety and overwhelm can also lead to bad habits such as frowning deeply or biting your lips, which can have a knock-on effect on the skin.
Some specific effects of stress on the skin that result in premature ageing include:
- Fine lines and wrinkles – Pressure and tension can cause the skin to lose elasticity and result in wrinkles in key stress areas. Fine lines also frequently appear between the brows due to excessive frowning.
- Bags under the eyes – The delicate undereye area is often one of the first places for sagging to appear and can also be caused as a direct result of lack of sleep linked to stress.
- Dry skin – Stress has been linked to the body’s ability to retain water successfully, and it’s thought that a lack of support for the skin’s barrier due to excessive psychological pressure may impact hydration and moisture levels.
Self-care for stress relief
If the consequences of a stressful lifestyle are wreaking havoc on your skin and you’re noticing signs of premature ageing, it may be a good idea to make some for yourself to relax and give your face and body a little extra love. Some of the best ways to rejuvenate your skin naturally include:
- Rethink your diet – Add fresh fruits and vegetables to your daily dishes and try to ensure that you’re getting your five-a-day, every day. Not only do they contain essential vitamins and nutrients to support your cells, but many also contain a high water content to help nourish and hydrate your skin.
- Water, water and more water – Speaking of water, it’s essential to reduce the chances of dehydration in the skin, as a lack of moisture is one of the major causes for a loss of elasticity which can, in turn, result in fine lines and wrinkles.
- Deep breathing exercises – With so much time spent concentrating intensely in your professional life, the muscles in your face are craving the opportunity to relax and loosen up. Spending 5 minutes doing a simple meditation exercise at the end of the day can work wonders to give your facial muscles a break and stop deep lines from forming prematurely.
Rejuvenating aesthetics treatments
There’s no need for such drastic measures as cosmetic surgery to treat lines and wrinkles in the face! Aesthetics procedures can work wonders for knocking years off the clock and refreshing your features. Here are some of the best treatments for combating signs of premature ageing:
- Tear trough filler – Effectively lessens the signs of undereye bags and fine lines below the delicate eye area.
- Chin augmentation – As you age, the skin in the neck and chin area naturally becomes looser and less pronounced. Dermal filler placed strategically in this area can tighten this area up and create a more defined appearance.
- Cheek enhancement – Non-surgical injections in the cheek can help reverse the downward drooping effect that occurs due to the ageing process. Cheek filler plumps up this area and creates a beautiful, youthful look.
Model patients at Acquisition Aesthetics
At Acquisition Aesthetics, we’re proud to offer gold-standard training in aesthetic medicine to medical professionals, including doctors, dentists and nurses. We’re pleased to provide clinic-standard Botox and dermal filler treatments to model patients who attend our practical training sessions at a discounted rate.
Are you looking for a cosmetic pick-me-up from a trained professional with extensive knowledge of the head and neck anatomy? Get in touch with us to find out more about the treatments we offer! Simply give us a call on 0203 514 8757 or email models@acquisitionaesthetics.co.uk.
