Stress.... to escape from it is almost impossible. But what does a state of constant psychophysical alteration imply on our body’s par excellence "target organs"? Let’s start from the beginning, that is... from the head.

Hair, for instance, is very sensitive to the psychological component

and some forms of hair loss may be due to somatization of a state of stress. In fact, there is an interference between chemical mediators released during stressful situations and the growth phase of hair. Of course, the several forms of hair loss can be of different intensity and gravity: from the simple hair weakening, that affects quite omogeneously but slightly the whole scalp, to more serious manifestations like the so-called “aerated” alopecia, that implies abundant hair loss on one or more round patches, approximately as big as a coin. In the first case the arising factors can be stressful situations, as well as a diet lacking of iron and mineral salts.

WHEN SKIN LOOKS "STRESSED"

In America this phenomenon is known by the name of “career women`s acne”. And not by chance, as it was demonstrated that, beyond forms due to hormonal alterations and menstrual cycle irregularities, there are manifestations connected to moments of stronger weariness and tension. The eruptions caused by stress can be recognized because they appear between the mandible and the lateral side of the chin as small pimples that may swell up and go down according to the course of the menstrual cycle, but unlikely evolve into pustules and various imperfections. Stress acne responds well to creams containing alpha hydroxyacids, like citric or glycolic acid, that favour the cellular "turn-over" and liberate skin from impurities occluding pores. Fatty skin as well may represent the previous stage to acneiform eruptions and may be in its turn a stress symptom. Skin appears impure, with dilated pores and comedones above all on the T area (forehead, nose, chin) that often looks greasy.

ACCENTUATED WRINKLES AND IMPERFECTIONS

Stress can cause the accentuation of expression wrinkles, especially of those located at the root of the nose or the horizontal ones of the forehead, just originated by the gloomy frown typical of the state of tension. When facial muscles relax, usually these signs relax, too; but in the long run they may become permanent wrinkles. Also dark eye circles - that are a flaw deriving from constitutional characteristics - may become more marked as a consequence of stress. Furthermore, lack of sleep at night, intestinal problems or a wrong and irregular diet can cause a metabolic weariness and a slowing down of the

local microcirculation with the subsequent appearance of such imperfections.

SWELLING IN AMBUSCH

The main cause of swelling is water retention, usually due to stressful pace of life. Stress may favour water retention especially because of our tendency to eat badly and unregularly, perhaps munching quickly plenty of salted snacks among the different daily businesses. Then, if physical activity is neglected, the phenomenon becomes more serious. It takes a short step from water retention to cellulitis and soon odious fat pads can appear on thighs and hips. In conclusion, our appearance, too - as well as our body - suffers from stress and all the problems connected to it. A healthy and regular life and, above all, a little more time to dedicate us for fondling ourselves a bit and doing what we like at most, can help us not only feeling good, but also looking better.