Battling "cortisol face": How stress impacts your appearance
Cortisol plays a crucial role in our daily battle with tension and pressure. Excess or deficiency of this hormone can have serious health consequences, including the so-called "cortisol face." How can you recognize it?
8:02 AM EDT, August 12, 2024
Cortisol is one of the main hormones in our body, produced by the adrenal cortex. Its levels can increase due to factors such as stress, lack of sleep, and even past infections. Unfortunately, it can affect metabolic processes, raising blood sugar levels. How can this be addressed?
"Cortisol face" - What does it look like?
One of the most visible symptoms of excess cortisol is the so-called "cortisol face." It is characterized by dark circles around the eyes, swelling, and smoothing of facial features. These changes result from water retention in the body and decreased collagen production, which affects skin elasticity.
Not many people know that elevated cortisol can cause fat accumulation around the face, arms, and abdomen. Women dealing with this issue may also experience menstrual cycle irregularities and mood swings. Therefore, regulating cortisol levels can have a real impact on how we look and feel.
"Cortisol face" on TikTok
There are numerous videos on TikTok where users discuss their "cortisol face." Some even claim that their appearance changed due to stress and excess responsibilities. Is that the case?
Dr. Vijay Murthy explained in an interview with Healthline that while persistently high cortisol levels can cause facial changes, these dramatic effects are usually linked to serious medical conditions. In most cases, everyday stress doesn't elevate cortisol enough to lead to such noticeable physical alterations.
