Feeling run-down, anxious, or suffering with a streaming cold? The chances are it’s written all over your face, as our complexions can tell us all sorts of things about what’s going on beneath the surface.
This was the case for former S Club 7 member Hannah Spearritt, who visited my Harley Street Skin Clinic as she had noticed her skin looking a little worse for wear. She has suffered from a compromised immune system for a while now, but following bandmate Paul Cattermole’s death in April, her stress levels were at an all-time high.
The singer and actress, who will compete in ITV’s Dancing On Ice in January and recently released her memoir, Facing The Music, also revealed she was suffering from vertigo and fatigue, and her normally radiant complexion reflected this with dullness, dehydration, breakouts, and sensitivity.
Immune conditions, psychological stress, and skin quality are all closely linked. Feelings of emotional distress lead to the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which affects the immune system, disrupting the skin’s natural barrier and healing process. Anxiety is also expressed in facial movements, which can result in forehead furrows and “11 lines”. It can be a vicious circle, as the worse our skin looks, the more it can impact our mental well-being.
Hannah Spearritt visited Lesley’s Harley Street Clinic after struggling with her skin
(Image: Nicky Johnston)
So what can be done? I told Hannah to tackle the problem from all angles – eating healthily, taking regular exercise, getting enough sleep, making time for mindfulness and generally being kind to one’s self. When skin is under attack, hi-tech clinical tweakments have the potential to cause further irritation, so avoid strong resurfacing procedures and active ingredients such as retinoids and acids.
Instead, opt for hydrating facials using LED therapy, which helps to suppress overactive skin cells, the main reason for inflammatory skin conditions. the red light also heals reactive skin and stimulates circulation. I recommended to Hannah a course of a bioregenerative injectable treatment that boosts inflammation-fighting cytokines in the body. These weekly injections have helped her immune system repair itself.
I also gave her a healing home care routine, containing ingredients like barrier-building ceramides, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and anti-inflammatory honey. These will help to soothe the complexion, which is exactly what Hannah needs in preparation for her stint on Dancing On Ice. By then, I’m sure she’ll be dancing with joy over her skin!
What your skin could be telling you about your health
Influenza and colds:
Flu and severe colds can result in dry skin, chapped lips, lacklustre skin tone, breakouts, and redness. If you have a genetic predisposition for psoriasis, this may also appear for the first time after a virus or infection – the immune system is weakened, causing skin cells to reproduce too quickly without falling off and form red, raised, flaky patches of skin that can become itchy and sore.
Flu and colds can have a massive impact on our skin alongside stress, anxiety and insomnia
(Image: Getty)
Stress and anxiety:
Stress can show itself in dry, flaky areas, deeper wrinkles, breakouts, dark circles and even eczema. Stress also dilates blood vessels, which can cause redness and aggravate rosacea.
Insomnia:
Puffy eyes or under-eye circles are classic signs that you’re tired, but skin will also look older, with more fine lines, enlarged pores, and sagging. There may be a congested, flaky zone between the brows, which is a sign of poor circulation. Skin can also be dull and almost ashen-like, and look inflamed and red around the eyes.
Depression:
Long-term depression can have a huge effect on skin, because the chemicals released can prevent your body from repairing inflammation in cells. Skin will look sallow, pale, lacklustre, or sagging, with more defined wrinkles from repetitively frowning and furrowing brows.
Poor diet and an unhealthy lifestyle:
Eating lots of processed foods can worsen skin by causing inflammation while overdoing alcohol, sugar, and dairy can result in collagen loss, excess oil production, and aggravation of rosacea, acne, and eczema. Alcohol can also cause the dilation of blood vessels around the nose, giving the face a ruddy look.
* If you are concerned about your health, consult a medical professional.
Facing the Music by Hannah Spearritt, published by Renegade Books, is out now, priced £10 here. It’s also available as an eBook.
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