Different things could cause us to be stressed, and being stressed could be manifested on your appearance as well. Read the two researches below to learn how stress could affect your looks.
1. Facial color and blood flow – biological effect
Psychological stress can cause physiological changes in autonomic nervous activity and skin decreased facial blood flow that can be manifested through facial color change. This has been the findings of a published Japanese paper in 2023 that studied the negative effect of stress on facial impressions before and after mental stress tasks using an online survey. To observe this, participants had their facial photos taken before and after the psychological stress task. Results of the study revealed that short-term mild psychological stress can worsen or deteriorate facial impressions. The observed physiological responses caused by stress were increased heart rate and a decrease in blood flow. Moreover, the results have demonstrated the the negative impact on facial impressions may persists for several hours after the stress load. (1)
2. Physical appearance modifications – aesthetic preferences and self-expression
Changes in appearance because of stressful event may indicate it as a coping
mechanism. The way a person perceives and displays their self physically could be related to their inner psychological world or a sign of a shift in their internal perceptions of their self. A study conducted in Philadelphia and its surrounding communities in October and November 2009 investigated the association of major stress events and changes in appearance. Outcome of the study yielded that changes in appearance were higher in groups with moderate to high stress scores. With regards to gender it has been found that both male and female participants consider or make changes in appearance in response to stress events. Moreover findings of the study revealed that individuals who had personally meaningful stressful life events changed or considered changing their appearance more often than those who had less personally meaningful stressful experiences. Those who had major stress events had both minor modifications such as haircuts and permanent appearance change such as tattooing, piercing, plastic surgery, and weight
change. This finding demonstrates that experiencing personally meaningful stressful life events can motivate someone to change outward appearance. Therefore, successive or dramatic appearance changes may be an indication of stressful experiences. (2)
If you’re stressed You may look haggard and less undesirable than usual, that when you look in the mirror or have taken a photo of yourself, you may notice that something’s not quite right on your face. You may notice that your skin is not smoother, pimples or lines are appearing on your face, eyebags are more obvious, darker and bigger, or your face is not well proportioned.
Appearance conscious people may get stressed when they look unatttactive. They might be concerned about receiving negative comments about their looks. If you’ve been too conscious about how you look, and people that you know have high standards when it comes to looks, you might be concerned that you cannot match their looks because of your flaws. The cycle seemed to be like when we get stressed, it can affect our appearance and so we worry. Then when we become unattractive, we become more stressed too and worry about being stressed.
But if you are less conscious about youe looks and prefers being real and natural, you may opt not to contour your face using makeup or undergo medical procedures to have a smooth or well-proportioned-looking- face. You’d want to be yourself, and allow your real reflection to be evident. You’d want to be transparent and not hide your imperfection because you dont want to give them the illusion that you look unflawed when you’re not. You want to be fair by showing them your real look despite how unpleasant it may seem.
As for you, how do you handle stress and appearance. Answer the following questions below to reflect about your usual response.
- How does stress make you look…
Are you aware of ‘your’ imperfections? when you’re stressed - How do you handle when you look stressed, haggard, imperfect, or flawed because of stress?…Does your confidence diminish when this happens to you?…Do you even get more stressed, anxious or depressed if you look unpretty?…
- How do you manage stress to look better
It’s important to know your perception to have a healthier view of yourself. By being objective and having an honest answer, you’ll be aware of the areas you need to develop and improve in yourself.
References:
References:
- (1) Koizumi, K., Hirao, N., Yamanami, H., & Ohira, H. (2023). Effects of mild psychological stress on facial impressions. Frontiers in psychology, 14, 1186046. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1186046
- Stitz M.E., Pierce Jr. J.D. Changes in Appearance in the Presence of Major Stress Events. Sage Publication (2013)1–8. doi:10.1177/2158244013485093
✍️ April 9, 2024
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