IS YOUR TEEN’S SKIN READY FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL?
Janine Mendes-Franco
“Anxiety-provoked skin conditions require a holistic approach.”
As the July/August vacation comes to a close, the excitement — and uncertainties — of a new academic year can be overshadowed by anxiety. The first place this shows up is the skin, which causes even more emotional distress and perpetuates the whole vicious cycle. Here’s how to help your children through it…
How anxiety affects the skin
Skin conditions that are worsened by anxiety are a visible reminder of the mind/body connection. A powerful emotion that can wreak havoc on both mental and physical health by triggering the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, anxiety creates a “fight or flight” response in the body. This hormonal imbalance can disrupt normal skin function, leading to or worsening skin conditions.
Conditions to look for…
A common skin condition among teens, acne tends to worsen with stress. Increased anxiety triggers the production of cortisol, a hormone that can lead to excess oil production and inflammation, resulting in more breakouts. Because acne is so noticeable, it can cause embarrassment, creating a seemingly never-ending loop.
Eczema is a chronic condition that causes dry, itchy, inflamed skin. Anxiety makes flare-ups not just worse, but also more frequent. It’s uncomfortable and near impossible to resist scratching, which in turn can lead to skin infections.
Anxiety can also cause hives — those rash-like, itchy welts that suddenly appear on skin. Stress-induced hives are usually the result of the body releasing histamines (chemicals that cause an allergic reaction) in response to anxiety.
An autoimmune condition that causes rapid skin cell turnover, psoriasis causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. Anxiety can both trigger and worsen flare-ups, causing inflammation and weakening the immune system.
Skin Picking
Some teens, when they’re anxious, develop a habit of picking at their skin as a coping mechanism. This can lead to open sores, scarring, and infections.
How to tackle them
Watch the routine
A simple skincare routine is great for managing conditions like acne and eczema, but consistency is key.
— For acne, use non-comedogenic products and avoid harsh scrubs
— For eczema, moisturise regularly and use fragrance-free products
— For hives, use gentle, fragrance-free soap and cleanser
— For psoriasis, choose gentle cleansers and moisture-rich soaps; when moisturising, opt for creams, oils or ointments as opposed to lotions
— For skin picking, talk to your dermatologist who may recommend trusted approaches/support to stop the habit, in conjunction with treatments that may include antioxidants, chemical peels, and brightening serums
Change the behaviour
For those struggling with skin picking in particular, interventions like cognitive behavioural therapy and habit reversal training can help break the cycle.
Manage stress
Tried and true techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, physical exercise and proper sleep routines can reduce anxiety minimise anxiety-related skin conditions.
Nurture your relationship
Creating a supportive home environment where teens can talk about their concerns goes a long way to calming them down and reducing their anxiety.
Get the right help
If anxiety (and the resulting skin conditions) become severe, professional advice from a dermatologist or a mental health professional is important. They can provide and/or recommend specialised treatments, therapies, and medications to address both the skin condition and the anxiety behind it.
This way, your teens can start the school year feeling more confident and comfortable in their skin.