Out of the Shadows
DOES YOUR SKIN NEED THERAPY?
If your mind is the cause, can it also be the cure?
Ever wondered why a work crisis can cause your rosacea to flare up? “There is a clear mind-to-skin link,” says Dr Alia Ahmed, a consultant dermatologist who specialises in the psychology of skin conditions. “The brain has a stress-activated pathway that causes the release of hormones like cortisol. Chronic stress can lead to overproduction, which can drive inflammation, kicking off conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. On a cellular level, too much cortisol can disrupt the skin barrier, leading to dryness, itching and redness.
‘CORTISOL CAN DISRUPT THE SKIN BARRIER’
“Your cortisol levels should be low in the morning, rise during the day, then drop off at night. What happens with chronic stress is your
