Exploring the link between exam stress and spots

woman studying
By Ash 16th February 2021 Category: Advice
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When exam season is looming, it brings with it stress and breakouts. Unfortunately, at the times you’re most stressed, you are also more likely to break out in stress induced spots. This in turn can often make you feel even more stressed, with another thing on your plate to worry about. With such a snowball effect, we want to take the stress of having bad skin off your chest.

Can stress cause spots?

In short, yes – stress triggers an increase in the hormone cortisol being released. In turn, your skin produces more oil, and even if you don’t normally suffer with acne breakouts, you are more likely to get them. It’s common for people to exercise less and adopt a poor diet during revision, not to mention the late nights up worrying about revision and how to get rid of blackheads.

How to get rid of stress spots

Unfortunately, you can’t avoid the exams, but the good news is there are a few things you can do during this stressful period to help your skin clear up.

  • Hydrate from the inside out

Make sure that you are drinking plenty of water – not only do you need to do this to keep your skin rehydrated, but drinking water helps your concentration. Ideally, you should be drinking at least two litres of water per day. Keep your concentration levels up and your spots down.

  • Get regular exercise

Regular exercise is known to deliver a number of benefits to your skin. Exercising increase blood flow, enabling oxygen and nutrients to reach the skin cells. Keeping active can also boost your endorphin levels and help keep those exam worries at bay.

Taking a walk around the block or going for a run is always the go-to option for most of us, however, be sure to always use a broad spectrum SPF of at least 30, to ensure your skin is protected against the harmful effect of UVA and UVB rays.

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  • Eat a healthy diet

Even though it’s a tempting time to snack on unhealthy foods, try to avoid eating junk food. Understandably, when you are revising you’ll feel the need to stay indoors to study. However, a lack of fresh air and natural light can also cause your skin to deteriorate. Take a break from revision and pop outside for a 15 minute walk to help your skin and clear your head.

  • Do breathing exercises

As exam anxiety keeps creeping in, you may experience states of panic. This can only aggravate the breakouts and even progress intro stress rashes. Skin rashes caused by stress appear as red bumps, also known as hives. Commonly found on the face, neck, chest and arms, hives are often itchy and can cause a burning sensation.

Breathing exercises are a great way to prevent stress-induced skin conditions, so if you’re feeling too stressed or start to develop a skin rash, take a break. Make yourself comfortable and take deep breaths gently and regularly. Continue to do this for 5 minutes and you may notice a instant mood change.

  • Use spot treatments

Thanks to their unique formulation, spot treatments can help treat and prevent stress spots on skin. Skin care products containing benzoyl peroxide, glycolic or salicylic acid will regulate oil production, exfoliate dead skin cells, and help control both teen and adult acne.

Apply these products sparingly on the affected area and, depending on the severity of your spots, you should see results within 24 hours.

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  • Visit your dermatologist

Along with these suggestions to improve your skin, we recommend you visit one of our sk:n clinics. We can provide you with a free consultation and advise you on how to treat your acne, so all you have to focus on is passing those exams.

We offer a number of acne treatments to get back your clear complexion including microdermabrasion and a variety of skin peels.

So, what are you waiting for? Pop into a nearby clinic today!

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