What Role Do Hormones Play in Stress Acne?
When individuals experience stress, the adrenal glands become hyperactive and increase the production of androgens (male hormones). Higher androgens can lead to more acne, especially in women, who produce a much larger percentage of their androgens in the adrenal glands than men do. This is likely why stress acne seems to affect women more than men. What is Causing Your Stress? Symptoms of stress depend partly on what is causing the stress and partly on your own coping methods. External causes of stress, such as being in a dangerous neighborhood or uncomfortable living situation, can produce the hormones cortisone and adrenaline, which are involved in the fight or flight response. If you live in areas where pollution is high, chemicals can also remain unreleased in your blood stream for a long period of time. Additional external stressors may include financial pressures, racial or sexual discrimination, or even isolation. When there is a lack of social support, this contributes to incr
