Have You Heard of “Cortisol Face”?
Lately, you might have come across the term “Cortisol Face” on social media. It’s been buzzing around, and many people are linking their puffy faces to stress. But what exactly is it, and should we be concerned? Let’s dive into this trending topic and explore its implications!
What’s Behind Cortisol Face?
Like many trendy terms, “Cortisol Face” gained popularity when influencers and beauty enthusiasts started discussing it as the reason for their facial puffiness. They’d post side-by-side photos, showcasing their puffy faces and attributing it to stress. This is so relatable to most of us, we’ve all had those days where stress seems to take a toll on our appearance.
Cortisol is a hormone produced by our adrenal glands. Even though it tends to be a vilified hormone, it plays several vital roles in our body, helping us manage stress and supporting functions like controlling blood pressure, regulating blood sugar, and reducing inflammation. When we’re under stress—especially for long periods—our bodies produce more cortisol. This is a natural response, it’s our body helping us deal with immediate challenges.
However, when you feel stressed and subsequently notice a bit of puffiness, this doesn’t mean cortisol is the only culprit. Stress is a complex beast, and its impact on our bodies varies from person to person and from day to day.
Is Cortisol Face Real?
While it’s true that high levels of cortisol can lead to fluid retention and puffiness, this usually happens only in extreme cases. Medical experts point out that other factors, like lack of sleep, poor diet, and allergies, are often more likely causes of slight facial swelling.
For instance, think about how a night of bad sleep can leave you looking a bit puffy in the morning. Or how indulging in salty snacks can lead to noticeable swelling. It’s not just cortisol at play here!
In fact, more significant swelling could indicate a medical issue, such as Cushing Syndrome, a condition where the body produces too much cortisol. This can lead to noticeable puffiness, often referred to as “Moon Face,” because this is associated with more serious health concerns, if you suspect you have “Moon Face,” it’s a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional.
What Should You Do?
If you’re worried about “Cortisol Face,” I usually suggest looking at your diet, activity level, sleep, and allergies. Techniques like lymphatic drainage massage can help reduce puffiness, and I’m here to support you in making lifestyle changes that can minimise those pesky puffiness issues.
The Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is key to feeling and looking great! A well balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management play vital roles in overall wellness. In our fast-paced world, it’s all too easy to overlook our health and focus on others and day to day concerns. The skin is the largest organ of the body and yet often the most neglected. Everyone wants beautiful skin, but those who suffer from imperfections often seek quick fixes instead of considering long-term solutions.
Manage Stress
Stress can indeed take a toll on your skin, contributing to breakouts and worsening existing conditions like eczema or rosacea. It can also lead to decreased hydration and skin elasticity due to the effects of cortisol.
Managing stress is essential for both your mental and physical health. Regular exercise and good sleep can make a big difference in how you feel and look. I always ensure that my clients enjoy relaxing massages during treatments to help alleviate stress. Whether it’s a facial massage or simply a shoulder rub, it all contributes to a more relaxed state, which can reflect positively on your skin.
Eat Well
Many diets today are filled with simple sugars, unhealthy fats, and processed foods, which can lead to inflammation— Inflammation is a major culprit in accelerated aging, poor skin health and disorders. Try to avoid “bad fats,” including trans fats. Trans fats are man-made, created to allow liquid fat to solidify and last longer before spoiling to increase the stability and shelf life of snack foods. They are most commonly seen in processed foods, usually listed on labels as hydrogenated oils. Most fried foods and processed meats, chips and margarine contain high levels of these trans fats and are associated with triggering inflammation. Instead, opt for healthy fats like those found in nature – meat, avocados, nuts, and fish. These fats are not only delicious but also beneficial for your skin.
Other alternatives to these harmful fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These are also considered “good fats” because they help to lower internal cholesterol levels. Monounsaturated fats are found in olives, olive oil, peanuts and avocados. Polyunsaturated fats are found in corn, soybeans and fish. Fish, in particular, contains high amounts of the polyunsaturated fat omega-3, which has natural anti-inflammatory benefits. I will often recommend oral supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids. These supplements not only have internal health benefits, but also have been shown to increase moisture levels in the skin. Other nutritional supplements such as lycopene, found in tomatoes; coenzyme Q10; Quercetin; and botanicals such as green tea all may be beneficial to the skin’s appearance by reducing inflammation.
The intake of sugar and simple carbohydrates also should be limited in order to avoid negative effects on the skin’s appearance. Soda, white bread and lollies raise blood sugar levels rapidly, which leads to inflammation and, eventually, cellular injury. Excess sugar consumption is speculated to cause glycation, which is the result of sugars attacking the body’s cells and attaching to proteins. Glycation may result in sallow, dull and eventually sagging skin. Collagen and elastin are proteins responsible for keeping the skin plump and youthful.
Staying hydrated is crucial, too! Aim for 8-10 glasses of water daily, and remember to drink more if you consume alcohol or caffeine. Hydration helps maintain your skin’s elasticity and overall health.
Empowered for Better Choices
I believe in empowering my clients with knowledge about how to care for their bodies for the best appearance. It’s fascinating to note that over 80% of visible aging is due to external factors, like environmental exposure. When you understand how these factors affect your skin, you can make informed choices to improve your health and appearance.
For example, excessive UV exposure accelerates skin aging. Wearing sunscreen daily is one way to protect your skin from harmful rays. Similarly, pollution can contribute to skin damage, so incorporating antioxidants into your diet and skincare can help combat these effects.
Long-Term Commitment
When you nurture yourself both inside and out, you’ll see amazing results. It’s not just about finding a quick fix; it’s about making a long-term commitment to your health. This might mean adjusting your diet, incorporating more physical activity into your routine, or simply taking time to unwind and manage stress.
At Curated Skin and Wellness, I’ve invested in cutting-edge treatments to help you achieve your skincare goals. However, I firmly believe focusing on prevention and managing issues from an internal aspect as well as topical application is key for the best outcomes. I may recommend treatment with hot and cold modality to improve circulation, or a CS&W Sculpt Massage, which you may consider an orchestrated workout for your skin, combining therapeutic techniques with advanced tools to target tension and sculpt your face. This treatment not only promotes overall skin health, helping to reduce muscle tension, relaxing tense contracted facial muscles, it also activates lymphatic circulation, improving fascia strength and tonicity, decreases the appearance of puffiness and leaves your face toned, lifted and refreshed. I may also send you home with some gentle, lymphatic moves to do on your own face as homework!
I’m excited to be part of your journey to healthy, beautiful skin! Together, we can explore various options tailored to your needs, helping you achieve the skin of your dreams
