Credits: Social Media
Dermatologist explains ‘cortisol face’ and relationship between stress and body weight
Hop on social media, or even onto the esteemed pages of a newspapers website, and youll find people talking about the relationship between so-called cortisol face, stress, and difficulty managing body weight.�
Weight loss isnt rocket science, but it is science& sort of. Potatoes are enjoying something of a renaissance, and occupy the enviable position of being a delicious snack food and a potentially powerful tool in the armory of those trying to shed a few pounds. But claims connecting a puffy face with elevated stress levels are less grounded in reality. The Focus spoke to Dr Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery, to understand more about the phrase cortisol face and all the misconceptions its predicated upon.
What is cortisol face?
The term cortisol face, which has been doing the rounds on social media, and has even made the occasional headline, describes facial swelling or puffiness supposedly linked to high levels of cortisol, says Dr Kopelman.
Cortisol is known as the stress hormone. The adrenal glands produce it in response to stress, and it helps the body stay alert in the face of potential danger. For example, it increases blood sugar levels, prompting the release of glucose from the liver; slows nonessential functions such as those performed by the digestive and reproductive systems; and works with the brain to control mood, motivation, and fear.
Cortisol doesnt make your face puffy. The misconception connecting normal cortisol production (or even slightly elevated cortisol production) to having a puffy face seems to have to do with Cushings syndrome.
Cushings syndrome is a condition whereby cortisol is chronically overproduced, Dr Kopelman says. Its a specific medical condition that affects about 50 people in every million, according to the NIH. Its main symptoms are:
- weight gain
- thinner arms and legs
- round, puffy face
- increased fat around the bottom of the neck
- a fatty deposit between the shoulders
- stretch marks on the abdomen, breasts, hips, and under the arms
- weak muscles
- easy bruising.
Yes, people with Cushing’s syndrome can have a puffy face. However, they suffer a very specific condition that involves chronic overproduction of cortisol. Being stressed in an everyday sense, or even intensely but not pathologically, does not produce “cortisol face.” The idea that cortisol directly causes puffiness or facial swelling, Dr Kopelman emphasizes, is misleading.
But there is a connection between stress, cortisol, and weight
The production of cortisol can lead to skin issues like dryness, breakouts (acne), and irritation.
Elevated cortisol levels can also make it hard to manage body weight, since they often come with increased appetite and acute cravings, especially for calorific or sugary foods.
Its worth mentioning that it can also go the other way. Dr Kopelman adds that chronic stress might lead to weight loss due to an increased metabolic rate or a loss of appetite, although she also admits this is less common.
However, the key thing to bear in mind when seeing social media posts about so-called cortisol face is that the only people with actual cortisol face are those with Cushings syndrome, and they are a very small minority.
Generally speaking, the effects elevated cortisol levels could have on your face are limited to dry skin, spots, and skin irritation.
Dr Hannah Kopelman runs Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery. She has completed two clinical fellowships in dermatology at Columbia and Boston and hosts a weekly dermatology podcast called Derm Club.
