Why Skincare and Mental Health Have More in Common Than You Think.

You know it well. The glossy cover of the teen magazine bears the image of a perfect-faced girl, a scattering of freckles across her nose, perfect teeth and bright, sparkling eyes. Impossibly exquisite skin - the kind that shimmers from within and appears to have both seen enough sun to have a healthy golden hue, but bears no marks of damage. The girl’s face is surrounded by pithy headlines: “Shop ‘til you drop!”, “How to snare the perfect date” and something to the tune of “Six skincare steps to the perfect glow”. Perhaps even “This celebrity shares her skincare routine!” or “making skincare fun again!”. 

And then there’s the other end of the spectrum: the advertisement on television starring an actress from twenty years ago who looks exactly the same as she did at the height of her fame: her face without blemish, line or wrinkle, her hair cascading across her shoulders, the close-up shot revealing only more perfection as she proclaims it’s her skincare that has kept her youthful look. Buy this skincare product - buy the entire range! - and you, too, can drink from the fountain of youth. 
Whatever it is, skincare is often relegated to the indulgent, the external, even the superficial. Skincare is correlated with achieving or maintaining beauty, youth and vigor, with creating the illusion of perfection. It is for those who want more, who want to impress, to wow, to turn heads.

But skincare can play a far more important role than simply a pathway to superficial beauty, or an indulgence both in experience and financial outlay. Skincare can achieve more than perfection - in some cases it can also lead to improved mental health.  

More so than ever before, people with skin conditions are likely to experience depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.  Research tells us that compared to other medical conditions that are not visible to others, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, patients with skin conditions bear their disease for the world to see, so the psychological and social impact of living with a skin illness can be severe and debilitating. Examples of this include:

• Among patients with disfiguring, chronic skin conditions, the prevalence of psychiatric disorders is 30% to 40%.
• Significant stress and anxiety have been reported in 44% of patients before the initial flare of psoriasis, and recurrent flares have been attributed to stress in up to 80% of individuals.
• The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among patients with skin conditions is greater than in patients with brain disorders, cancer, and heart issues combined.

In fact, these links are so important that a subfield of dermatology emerged in response to the recognition that skin conditions and mental health are closely interconnected - psychodermatology. This subfield came about when healthcare professionals realized that it was necessary to take a holistic, integrated approach to treating skin disorders, that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of the condition. Psychodermatology was developed as a way to bring together the expertise of dermatologists and mental health professionals, to provide comprehensive care for patients with skin conditions.

The history of psychodermatology can be traced back to the early 20th century, when psychoanalytic theory was first applied to the understanding and treatment of skin disorders. Over the years, the field has evolved and grown, as healthcare professionals have gained a deeper understanding of the relationship between skin and mental health and developed more effective treatments. Today, psychodermatology is recognized as a subfield of dermatology and is widely recognized as an important aspect of the treatment of skin conditions.

This field helps us to understand that the world of skincare isn’t simply the world of a glossy magazine, or an age-defying television star. Skincare routines can do more than achieve glow and an other-worldy flawlessness, they can be closely linked to achieving more robust mental health. It is clear that skincare alone won’t be enough when the issue is more than skin deep, it can be an excellent first port of call against some of the more common ailments that can lead to poor mental health. Here are some simple skincare routines that can be a good first step in combating the skin conditions that can be psychologically and socially challenging.

Acne:

1. Cleanse: Use a gentle, non-drying cleanser in the morning and at night to remove dirt, oil, and makeup.
2. Tone: Apply a toner to balance the skin's pH and help control excess oil.
3. Treat: Apply a spot treatment or acne medication to target breakouts.
4. Hydrate: Use a light, oil-free moisturizer to hydrate the skin without clogging pores.
5. Sun protection: Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day to protect the skin from UV damage.

Psoriasis:

1. Cleanse: Use a gentle, non-drying cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells without irritating the skin.
2. Moisturize: Apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer to hydrate the skin and help reduce redness and scaling.
3. Soak: Take a warm bath or shower to soften plaques and scales, followed by gently patting the skin dry.
4. Apply medicated ointments or creams: If recommended by a doctor, apply a topical corticosteroid or calcineurin inhibitor to reduce inflammation and itching.
5. Sun protection: Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day to protect the skin from UV damage.

Eczema:

1. Cleanse: Use a gentle, non-drying cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
2. Moisturize: Apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer immediately after bathing to hydrate the skin and help soothe itching and redness.
3. Avoid irritants: Avoid harsh soaps, detergents, and fragrances that can irritate the skin and worsen eczema symptoms.
4. Use medicated creams or ointments: If recommended by a doctor, use a topical corticosteroid or calcineurin inhibitor to reduce inflammation and itching.
5. Take lukewarm baths: Soak in a lukewarm bath for 10-15 minutes to hydrate the skin and help soothe itching. Avoid hot showers, which can dry out the skin.
6. Wear breathable clothing: Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing to reduce friction and irritation on the skin.

Rosacea:

1. Cleanse: Use a gentle, non-drying cleanser in the morning and at night to remove dirt, oil, and makeup.
2. Moisturize: Apply a light, fragrance-free moisturizer to hydrate the skin without clogging pores.
3. Avoid triggers: Identify and avoid triggers that can worsen rosacea symptoms, such as hot drinks, spicy foods, alcohol, and extreme temperatures.
4. Use medicated creams or gels: If recommended by a doctor, use a topical metronidazole or azelaic acid to reduce redness, inflammation, and pimple-like bumps.
5. Sun protection: Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day to protect the skin from UV damage.
6. Be gentle with your skin: Avoid harsh scrubs, astringents, and exfoliants that can irritate the skin and worsen rosacea symptoms.