Long term chronic stress is known to accelerate the normal aging process and is associated with a variety of health conditions. Stress induce the body to produce stress hormones, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and other signal molecules, resulting in the observed stress response known as “Fight or Flight” response. For general effect of chronic stress on health and aging, and for how chronic stress speed up normal aging, see article “How Chronic Stress Accelerates Normal Aging Process”.

Research also established the linkage between stress and skin health.  Stress causes hormonal changes in the body that result in numerous skin problems, such as acne, psoriasis, hives, eczema, rosacea, alopecia, vitiligo, trichotillomania and self-mutilation disorders. Stress response is often accompanied with psychological changes in the body – anxiety, depression. Skin care interventions are not limited to cosmetic and diet approches. Psychodermatology is what expert use to related the mind-skin connection. How we feel on the inside could be affecting how we look on the outside. Psychodermatology interventions are those stress reduction techniques that will be beneficial to prevent skin aging because of persistent stress, anxiety or depression.

Stress can manifest itself on one’s appearance in a number of ways, primarily by making the skin more sensitive, reactive and more vulnerable to the intrinsic or extrinsic factors that cause skin aging.

• Studies have shown that chronic stress increases production of oxidative stress and free radicals in the body. Reactive oxygen species are those type of free radicals generated as byproducts of normal oxygen (energy) metabolism. Free radicals are hyper reactive oxidizing agents which can essentially damage any biomolecules such as protein, DNA, cell membrane. In the skin, free radicals can damage collagen and elastin – the important skin structural proteins in the dermis layer, causing wrinkles, sags, loss of elasticity. For more detail, see “free radical theory of skin aging”.
• Telomere shortening is the marker for cellular senescence (cellular aging). High or chronic stress was found to be associated with shortened telomere (telomere shortening) and decreased telomerase activity (an enzyme that protects telomere). One study found that individuals with high or persistent chronicity of stress have shortened telomere on average by the equivalent of at least one decade of additional aging. This effect of cellular aging could accelerate skin aging, resulting in more wrinkles and fine lines. For example, an aging skin fibroblast may not be effective or efficient in making new collagen and elastin. The renewal of the skin is slowed down and skin looks dull and gray.
• Stress creates the production of adrenaline (one of the stress hormone responsible for the observed fight or flight response), which divert blood away from the skin, sending it to the muscles to increase strength and tense as part of the stress response. Skin is therefore deprived of essential nutrients and energy (oxygen) for extended periods of time. The blood flow to the skin become obstructed, hindering the removal of the waste from the skin tissue. Without energy, cellular processes such as collagen synthesis can not continue, resulting in wrinkles. Skin will appear pale and lack of radiant.
• Stress also disrupt epidermis’s natural barrier function for water retention and for blocking infectious microbes. One study measured medical, dental, and pharmacy students during periods of high stress (final exams) versus low stress (after final exams) for their responses to repeated cellophane tape strippings on the skin of the arms (a well-known, minimally invasive method to test the integrity of the barrier function of the skin). A device measured the amount of water lost from the skin. Stress cause dehydrated, dry and sagging skin. In addition, stress disrupts the epidermis’s antimicrobial barrier and increases the susceptibility of cutaneous infections,
• Chronic stress produce more cortisol, which causes the body’s natural defenses – immune system to become weakened. That leaves skin very vulnerable to pollutants in the environment, causing uneven skin tone and texture.
• Stress stimulates the release of certain enzymes and hormones, which cause the sebum to become overproduced, blocking the pores, In the skin, cortisol causes an increase in sebaceous gland production of sebum, making skin more prone to acne.
• Stress irritates skin and increase skin’s sensitivity. Stress causes skin to become hypersensitive, causing increased level of skin issues such as itching , redness, hives,  blemishes, blotches and other unsightly issues. Stress also exacerbates existing skin problems. Long term stress can lead to psoriasis, eczema or rosacea. There also might be signs of stress-related behaviors — such as scratching, pulling or rubbing — that can exacerbate pre-existing skin problems.