This year has been, to put it mildly, rough.

Because this isAllure, we were particularly interested in how stress can mess with your hair and skin.

Heres a breakdown of the highlights.

What, Exactly, Is Stress?

Adrenaline and cortisol are the main culprits for these unpleasant feelings.

There aretwo types of stress: chronic and acute.

Acute is the jot down of short-term stress you might feel when youre coming up on an important deadline.

Stress for a few seconds is not bad, Wechsler says.

Even for a few minutes its OK.

Chronic stress is long-term.

Cortisol is fine for a few seconds, even minutes, because it helps us survive, Wechsler explains.

Instudies, women who experienced a lot of stress had significantly shorter telomeres than women with low stress.

Under normal conditions, Wechsler says we lose 80 to 100 hairs every day.

I ask them whats been happening in the last three to six months, Wechsler says.

Thats how long it takes for the hairs to shift more into telogen and then fall out.

Sometimes people dont put two and two together because its not the most recent stressor.

This punch in of hair loss is temporary.

It usually lasts an average of six months and then the hair grows back, she says.

That rush of cortisol causes inflammation, which can trigger bumps, rashes, andstress acne.

Inflammation is not just a buzzword.

Its really the cause of so many illnesses and diseases, Wechsler says.

Students during exams had much higher pimple counts than during the rest of the semester, Wechsler says.

When this happens, your skins barrier can lose more moisture and let in more potential irritants.

If youre prone to eczema or psoriasis, this stress-induced leaking and inflammation can definitely cause them to flare-up.

But wait, theres more!

Cortisol also breaks down the amino acids in collagen, which you oughta keep your skin plump.

People have that, Oh my god, I aged overnight moment and its real, Weschler confirms.

Are the Physical Effects of Stress Permanent?

Dont worry: Well end on a fairly positive note.

Wechsler says this reversal has been documented in people whove experienced the death of someone close to them.

Once they start to move on with their lives, everything gets better.

Their blood pressure goes down, their cholesterol goes down, their skin looks healthier, theyre sleeping better.

She advises steering clear of fragrance and other potentially irritating ingredients, like topical retinoids or acids.

Using a humidifier can also help get moisture back into the air, and subsequently your skin.

If that sounds like you, Wechsler recommends an over-the-counter dandruff shampoo.

It really needs to sit on your scalp for about five minutes, she says.

Three times a week is good.

That means your heart rate automatically comes down.

Your blood pressure comes down.

You put yourself in that lovely parasympathetic state which is rest and digest.

Vranich says that the most optimal breaths start in your diaphragm, rather than in your chest.

Your diaphragm is an enormous muscle.

Think about a personal sized pizza or a frisbee thats all muscle, she says.

On the inhale it tries to push your ribs open.

On the exhale your body narrows; youre deflating.

However, most of us dont breathe that way.

On the inhale, tip your hips forward and push your belly into your hands.

This helps build even more strength in your exhale.

One of the most important things Weschler recommends isgetting enough sleep.

Cortisol is at its absolute lowest during sleep, she says.

Meanwhile, molecules like oxytocin and growth hormones which heal the skin and are antiinflammatory are high.

Instead, try watching a comedy or reading a funny book.

Which is part of the whole pandemic problem.

Loneliness is so much higher now.

Even something that sounds as simple as a skin-care routine, she says.

And in the meantime, just give a shot to get some sleep.