In 2002, the Stanford University School of Medicine conducted a research on the connection between stress and acne. Although it only involved 22 acne-inflicted students, it was helpful in establishing the fact that stress actually causes the generation of acne on students under stressful condition, in this case examination. The professors involved in the experiment were able to conclude that the exam aggravated the acne of the students under observation. It was further concluded that students who were greatly stressed during the examinations have greater chance for the more severe acne conditions.
Another study done in the year 2003 published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences noted the possibility of that chemicals and acne (and other skin diseases) may be closely related. This study particularly focused on the thalamus, a part of the brain which releases a hormone called corticothropin or CRH during stressful conditions. The skin oil glands are known to generate both CRH and CRH receptors. Consequently, when CRH receptors combines with excess CRH, it will produce more sebum which in turn may result in exacerbation of the acne.
Acne urticata, which is actually not acne but a form of eczema, are known to manifest on middle-aged women who undergo depression and stress. In this case, it is not yet clear whether the stress resulted to acne or the stress the resultant of this type of acne.
(published with permission in writing from:http://acne-product-info.co.uk)
