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" Skin flare-ups can be frustrating, especially when you don&amp;#039;t know the cause. More derms today say stress might be the culprit. When under pressure, your body produces hormones that wreak havoc: Your skin cells lose water and become dry, and your immune system weakens, letting zits and rashes take hold. Fortunately, psychodermatologists (derms who look at the psychological root of skin ailments) have smart solutions. Here, how to calm yourself and your skin.  Scenario #1: Zits You&amp;#039;ve tried everything out there, but your pimples just aren&amp;#039;t clearing up. WHAT&amp;#039;S GOING ON Not all acne is created equal. If excess oil is to blame, your zits usually come and go within days. Stubborn pimples are a different story. When you&amp;#039;re overwhelmed, your body produces certain neuropeptides that at low doses may kill bacteria and viruses but at higher levels of stress generate inflammation that can clog your pores and limit your bod&amp;#039;s ability to slough off dead skin. The result? Blemishes might not budge for months.  MENTAL FIX It&amp;#039;s a familiar tune, but working out pays off. &amp;quot;The endorphins released when you exercise act as a natural anti-inflammatory and de-stressor,&amp;quot; says Amy Wechsler, a psychodermatologist in New York. (Apply toner afterward so the sweat won&amp;#039;t plug pores.) Also, getting jacked about your zits creates a vicious cycle. &amp;quot;Anger is a common response to acne, and it stems from feel ing helpless to correct the situation,&amp;quot; says psychodermatologist Richard Fried, PhD, author of Healing Adult Acne. &amp;quot;Since rage aggravates stress and breakouts, it&amp;#039;s key to regain a sense of control.&amp;quot; Decluttering your space at home and work helps you feel more relaxed. And carve out time to hop in the sack. &amp;quot;Sex is a tension reliever that can improve your looks and mood,&amp;quot; says Dr. Fried.  BEAUTY FIX Tone down redness and shrink zits by applying a thin layer of over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream on spots once or twice a day for two days. In addition, wash with a cleanser or use a cream containing salicylic acid twice daily to kill bacteria, unclog follicles, and slough off dead cells. &amp;quot;Stress increases your skin&amp;#039;s sensitivity, so choose gentle formulas with such key words as suitable for sensitive skin or mild on the packaging,&amp;quot; notes Dr. Wechsler. Also look for calming ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile, suggests Los Angeles dermatologist Howard Murad. If breakouts persist, ask your derm about prescription options. Corticosteroid injections and oral antibiotics help decrease swelling.  Scenario #2: Dry No matter how much lotion you use, your skin is still so dehydrated that it flakes. WHAT&amp;#039;S GOING ON Stress breaks down your skin&amp;#039;s natural barrier, which compromises your ability to retain moisture, causing intense dryness.  MENTAL FIX When your skin is as arid as the Kalahari Desert, getting plenty of shut-eye is crucial to healing, since your body recovers overnight from everyday cell damage and replenishes moisture as you snooze. To melt away worries, have your guy smooth massage oil onto your back and give you a rubdown. Or try this move: While lying in bed, progressively tighten and relax each of your muscles from your head to your toes. &amp;quot;This releases tension even in areas where you didn&amp;#039;t realize you were holding stress,&amp;quot; explains Dr. Wechsler.  BEAUTY FIX To preserve as much of your natural oils as possible (thereby helping retain your skin&amp;#039;s natural moisture), use a hydrating wash without sulfates (chemicals that can parch) listed on the back label, and lightly massage in cleanser with just your fingertips-using a washcloth tends to strip away moisture. In the shower, gently run the bristles of a paddle hairbrush over your body. &amp;quot;This will stimulate your skin&amp;#039;s receptors and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol,&amp;quot; explains Tiffany Field, PhD, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Keep the water temperature lukewarm (intense heat can diminish your hydration level), and apply a thick cream within a few minutes after your shower to seal in moisture. Look for products that contain ceramides or dimethicone, which reinforce your body&amp;#039;s own protective shield.  Scenario #3: Picking Sometimes you find yourself scratching at your skin...and now your face is starting to scar. WHAT&amp;#039;S GOING ON Picking is a nervous habit that usually intensifies in times of pressure. &amp;quot;Many people do it to release anxiety,&amp;quot; explains Dr. Murad.  MENTAL FIX Find a healthy stress outlet, like playing a sport. It forces you to shift attention so you can&amp;#039;t ruminate on a problem spot. Toss out magnifying mirrors, and install a low-wattage bulb in your bathroom so imperfections won&amp;#039;t be as perceptible (it&amp;#039;s best to apply makeup in natural light anyway). &amp;quot;Train your brain to focus on relaxation,&amp;quot; says Ted Grossbart, PhD, coauthor of Skin Deep. Channel the urge to pick into caressing your skin.  BEAUTY FIX Cover spots with concealer-if you can&amp;#039;t see them, you won&amp;#039;t be tempted to pick, says Dr. Fried. Lotions with licorice extracts help fade scars, or ask a derm about laser treatments.  Scenario #4: Rash Seemingly out of nowhere, you develop a mysterious red, prickly, itchy rash that spreads across your face or body WHAT&amp;#039;S GOING ON Anxiety depletes your skin&amp;#039;s protective barrier, making you more susceptible to irritants that invade your body and trigger a reaction.  MENTAL FIX Try calming imagery. While smoothing on a velvety moisturizer, experience the application with all of your senses. &amp;quot;Visualize yourself swimming in a crisp mountain spring,&amp;quot; says Dr. Fried. &amp;quot;Your mind brought this rash upon you, and it has the power to make it vanish too.&amp;quot; Gently massage in the lotion for 10 seconds. Also, take up yoga or Pilates-the deep breathing helps you chill out.  BEAUTY FIX Coat on a cream with calming mimosa tenuiflora (try Alaur Virgin Skin, $75). Then stick to hypoallergenic makeup and cleansers that baby your skin. Also, avoid scratchy clothes and hot environments (heat opens your blood vessels and releases histamines, making rashes itchier, redder, and more swollen). "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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