Stress is another factor that can change hormone levels in adult women, men, and adolescents. Although scientists do not believe that stress directly causes acne, numerous studies have linked stress
and acne flare-ups.
The reason for this link is that when the body
is under stress, it responds by producing hormones, including androgen
and cortisol. Cortisol, like androgen, stimulates oil production.
Therefore, people who are under stress are at risk of
developing acne or having their existing acne worsen.
Moreover,
even though the production of stress hormones decreases as a person
relaxes, stress-induced acne flare-ups often do not clear up until
the inflammation heals. This may take a week or more.
Chu describes how stress affects his patients: “I have looked after
four women who have cancelled their weddings on at least one
occasion. Each time they neared their wedding day, stress levels
increased and their spots became so bad that they cancelled because
they could not bear the thought of wedding photographs of
themselves covered with spots.
