Seeing Red: A tale of wrath & wrinkles
By Alice Crann Good / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
The next time you lose your cool or get red-faced angry for whatever reason, you may want to chill out.
Did you know that it’s scientifically proven that anger affects your skin and body and even gives you wrinkles? Let’s assume not. Read on.
Dermatologists and mental and physical wellness experts have some news for you: Anger is detrimental to your complexion and entire body.
In a study published in the journal “Brain, Behavior, and Immunity,” researchers found that anger makes your facial muscles tense and that over time this leads to fine lines. Anger also affects the skin’s own rejuvenation and healing effect, researchers reported. Apparently, healing and cell turnover took four times longer in angry people as compared to those who had control over their temper, according to the research.
And you can find similar facts in articles published by “Insight State,” “InnerSelf,” and “Everyday Health,” and also from Gulf Coast professional experts on the topic — Kelly Reed, DO, FAAD, FACMS, of Proper Dermatology and mental health counselor Alyssa Warren, owner of Innovative Direction Counseling, Medication and Evaluation Services.
If anyone has ever told you, “You’re glowing,” it was likely said as a compliment in response to you looking vibrant, happy and healthy; the phrase exemplifies how the skin radiates and conveys the inner health and condition of not only our bodies but also our minds and emotional state, Reed explained.
“Glowing red with anger in contrast has more detrimental effects in terms of skin health and appearance,” said Reed, a fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, fellow of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
“Skin is the largest organ of the human body and the canvas to showcase how your life is lived,” Reed said. “It displays signs of a life and body well-lived and taken care of or one that is neglected, stressed or misused. Oftentimes as dermatologists, we can learn a lot about people from the appearance of their skin.”
For instance, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet and sleep, chronic stress and health conditions all impact skin health and integrity and can result in many dermatological conditions, she said.
“The same is true for emotional states including anger,” Reed said. “Anger is an emotional state that essentially induces a stress response in the body. Experiencing anger sets the body into ‘fight or flight’ mode, flooding the body with hormones such as cortisol and neurotransmitters, including epinephrine and norepinephrine to name a few. These chemicals result in a cascade of events in the body, acutely causing the skin to flush or become red and inflamed, blood pressure to increase, and pupils to dilate.”
A flood of these chemicals and body changes can cause new conditions or flare preexisting conditions such as acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, rosacea and many others, Reed explained.
“Anger is essentially a type of stress response, and studies about chronic stress have shown that long-term stress can have adverse effects on the skin, including thinning of the skin due to elevated internal corticosteroids (cortisol) causing decreased collagen production, poor cellular repair, DNA damage and poor wound healing,” Reed said.
While anger may last a short time, it takes the body much longer to return back to baseline while the hormones and neurotransmitters are still working within the body, Reed explained.
“Therefore, frequent bouts of anger can add up and cause long-lasting, adverse effects in the body and skin, including premature aging and inflammatory skin conditions,” Reed said.
Absorb this bit of wrinkle science: Making an angry face causes a furrowing of the glabellar lines — known in the medical arena as “the 11” vertical parallel lines that appear between the eyebrows.
“Wrinkles are essentially lines etched into the skin due to repeated contraction of the underlying muscles causing permanent lines in the skin,” Reed said. “So, if a person is commonly angry and frowning or furrowing their brow, they are likely to develop deep wrinkles in those areas.”
MORE THAN WRINKLE WOES
It’s simply a fact: What we think impacts our body, and what is going on with our body impacts our mind, said Warren, an LMHC and certified forensic mental health evaluator.
“Our thoughts are very powerful,” Warren said. “I always say: ‘What you think is what you get.’ Mental health issues and body sickness go hand in hand.”
It’s key to recognize signs that your mental and physical marriage is out of whack, Warren said.
“You may have panic attacks, diarrhea, other digestive issues, headaches, fatigue, hair loss, acne, dry skin, rashes, changes in weight, low sex drive, sleep issues, an autoimmune disease, unexplained illnesses, fainting and dizziness to name a few,” Warren said.
“Also, you may be experiencing clinical anxiety or depression, have low self-esteem, feel worried or stressed, feel like things will never go right, cognitive impairment, mood swings and suicidal feelings.”
What can you do if you find you are a perpetual angry person who feels lousy mentally and physically?
“I am a therapist, so of course, I am going to suggest therapy,” Warren said. “There is nothing like having your own person that you don’t share with your family or friends. He or she will listen and help you with an unbiased outlook. It’s important if you take this approach that you find a therapist who is highly skilled in cognitive behavior therapy.”
Warren also suggested reading self-help books (ones in which you can “zone in on your particular issues”), eating healthy, living foods, and including physical exercise in your life at least four times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes each time.
“You can start with walks to running, karate, swimming, weights, yoga, Pilates, spin class or whatever sport or activity interests you,” she said. “Pensacola has so much to offer when it comes to different interests that can help you stay physical. So, there are no excuses!”
Warren added one last thought.
“You are in control. You always have a choice. Each healthy choice, whether it is mental or physical, will get you one step closer to a better you inside and out!”
Reed and Warren both agree that doing nothing about your anger is not an option.
Suppressing anger is not good for you physically or mentally “because the same physiologic processes occur even if you try to hold it in, causing the body to remain in a chronic state of stress,” Reed warned.
It is “imperative” to find healthy outlets to work through anger such as exercise, journaling or meditation, which can be beneficial to your internal well-being and keep you glowing on the outside, Reed stressed.
“Furthermore, happy people are perceived by others as appearing younger and healthier,” Reed said. “So, find your joy and wear your sunscreen if you want to keep your youthful glow.”
