How does stress affect skin health: especially melasma?
Many people may not expect that “stress”, which seems to be a mental issue, can clearly affect “skin”, especially “melasma”, a common skin problem in working women and postpartum mothers. At Sita Clinic, we have found that many cases of patients who receive treatment for melasma often have one common factor in common: “accumulated stress”. Today, we will invite you to understand how stress plays a role in stimulating melasma and how to deal with it to restore your skin’s radiance sustainably. How does stress stimulate melasma? When we are stressed, our body releases “stress hormones” or cortisol, which affect many systems in the body, including our “skin”. It stimulates the production of more melanin. Cortisol causes melanocyte cells to produce more pigment, causing some areas of the face to become darker, especially the cheekbones, forehead, or above the lip, which are common areas for “melasma”. It also accelerates skin inflammation. Stress weakens the skin’s immune system and can make the skin more easily irritated, which makes melasma appear darker or more difficult to treat. It affects sleep and sex hormones. Chronic stress disrupts sleep and affects the balance of estrogen hormones in women, which is another important factor related to melasma. How to effectively manage stress (For better skin and mind) Get enough rest, try to sleep at least 6-8 hours a day and avoid using phones or digital screens before going to bed. Exercise regularly. Exercise stimulates endorphins, which make you feel relaxed and helps balance your body's hormones. Practice meditation […]
Lifestyle tips to prevent melasma from recurring
Melasma is a skin problem that can easily recur if not properly treated. Although there are effective treatments, lifestyle changes and long-term self-care are important to control and prevent melasma from recurring. This article will provide skin care tips for people with melasma that can be applied in daily life. 1. Strictly protect your skin from sunlight. Sunlight is a major factor that stimulates melasma, so sun protection is the most important step. Use sunscreen every day: Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher and protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Wear a hat and sunglasses: A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses help prevent UV rays from directly touching your face. Avoid strong sunlight: Between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., UV rays are at their highest concentration. Outdoor activities should be reduced during this time. 2. Proper skin care Proper skin care can help reduce the chances of melasma and make your skin stronger. Cleanse your skin gently: Choose a cleanser that does not contain irritants. Moisturize your skin: Using moisturizers helps maintain skin balance and reduce dry skin problems that can trigger melasma. Avoid irritants: Avoid products that contain alcohol, perfume, or harsh chemicals. 3. Change your lifestyle for healthy skin. Changing a healthy lifestyle has a long-term effect on preventing melasma. Eat healthy: Foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin E and antioxidants, such as green leafy vegetables, berries and omega-3 fish, will help nourish your skin. Drink enough water: […]