Why Can a Breakup Trigger Breakouts and Acne?

KOMPAS.com - Breakups not only affect emotions but can also affect skin condition. Many people notice their faces suddenly become more prone to acne, dullness, or sensitivity after heartbreak. This condition is not just a feeling. Emotional stress from a breakup can trigger biological changes in the body that directly affect skin health. A dermatologist and psychologist from New York, Dr. Amy Wechsler, says she often encounters patients who develop acne after a breakup. According to her, a surge in stress hormones in the body is one of the main reasons the skin becomes more prone to problems. One of the main reasons skin breaks out easily after a breakup is emotional stress. Even if someone feels fine, the body can respond to mental pressure quietly. Feelings of sadness, worry, disappointment, and even conflicts with an ex can boost the production of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is known as a stress hormone that can trigger inflammation. “Elevated cortisol levels due to stress cause inflammation of the skin, and that triggers the appearance of acne,” says Dr. Wechsler. When the body is under prolonged stress, oil production on the face can also increase. As a result, pores become more easily clogged and acne appears more quickly. Not only acne on the face, some people also experience breakouts in other areas of the body such as the back or chest when emotional pressure is high. Therefore, maintaining mental health after a breakup becomes important, not only for emotions but also for overall skin condition. In fact, sleep is an important time for the body to repair damaged skin cells. Dr. Wechsler reveals that during sleep, cortisol levels are at their lowest. At the same time, growth hormones and the body’s recovery molecules actually increase.