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TikTok’s obsessed with it, and so is Instagram. ‘Cortisol face’ seems to be the new buzzword in the wellness and beauty industry. If you’re wondering what this is, it’s the name given to a condition where your face becomes chronically puffy and takes on a rounder appearance, regardless of your built. The puffiness in this case is attributed to elevated cortisol levels, aka the stress hormone.
You’ve probably seen the reels on the topic before—they often start with a hook symptom that most of us can relate to—say a puffy face in the mornings (creatively dubbed as the ‘cortisol face’ by TikTok) followed by a host of other symptoms like bloating, an inability to lose weight or even excess hair fall. If you identify with most of these, chances are your cortisol levels may be elevated.
The condition has quickly gained viral status, sending millennials and Zoomers alike into worry about their appearance (and how stress could adversely impact it). While most of the reels on the topic do a fairly detailed job of explaining the symptoms, they often miss out on telling us how to treat or manage them.
However, when it comes to stuff like cortisol levels it’s always better to do research that goes beyond social media, right? It’s important to remind ourselves not to believe everything we see on our FYPs. This is why we spoke to Dr Jaishree Sharad, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, about cortisol and how it can affect our bodies, especially our skin and face. Read on to know more about her top tips on how to reduce facial puffiness and manage your cortisol levels at large.
If late-night doom scrolling sessions on Instagram have convinced you that you in fact do suffer from cortisol face, you’ve landed on the right page. First things first, it turns out ‘cortisol face’ is not a real medical term. But sure enough, excess cortisol levels can indeed cause a rounded, puffy face, more accurately known as ‘moon facies’. This goes beyond your typical morning puffiness and can become a chronic condition that won’t just go away with a quick cold shower.
Facial massages using tools such as a gua sha or a jade roller can be the most effective solution for reducing general puffiness. In most cases, icing your face can also help bring down puffiness considerably. This raises the question—does a jade roller or gua sha massage work just as well for cortisol face?
“A gua sha/jade roller massage can help in lymphatic drainage of the face and boost overall relaxation too. But it does not address the root cause of raised cortisol. Hence, whatever little benefit you may derive from it is at best temporary,” clarifies Dr Sharad.
If facial massages are only temporary fixes, how does one treat cortisol face at its root? To find out, it’s first important to fully understand this hormone.
Is cortisol all bad only because of its association with stress? It turns out cortisol, in the correct amount, is just as crucial for your body as any other hormone and aids the smooth functioning of many important physiological processes.
Dr Sharad explains, “Cortisol is a crucial hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It plays a key role in managing the body's response to stress. But that is not all. It also regulates the body’s metabolism, reduces inflammation, modulates the immune system, maintains blood pressure and supports a healthy circadian rhythm. Additionally, cortisol influences mood and emotional balance, making it essential for overall physical and mental well-being.”
She also mentions that a host of factors like chronic stress and alcohol intake can temporarily cause your cortisol levels to rise. But what happens when your cortisol levels shoot up beyond the healthy limit? Here are some tell-tale signs Dr Sharad warns about. “It can lead to a range of physical and metabolic changes, including weight gain, particularly in the face (moon facies) and abdomen. It also causes fat deposits between the shoulder blades (buffalo hump),” says Dr Sharad.
She further adds, “It also thins the skin, which might lead to purple stretch marks, acne and increased hair growth on the face (hirsutism), along with darkened skin folds. Additionally, high cortisol levels can contribute to hair loss. Over time, it can elevate your blood pressure and blood sugar levels and contribute to mood disorders like depression and anxiety, muscle weakness and reduced bone density.”
If you’re experiencing chronic facial puffiness that just won’t go away with a facial massage and are also noticing other symptoms of high cortisol, it’s best not to take it lightly, as this could be due to an underlying medical condition.
“The first step is to consult a dermatologist or endocrinologist for proper evaluation. If you're using steroids without medical necessity, it's important to gradually reduce them under medical supervision. Your doctor will help identify other potential causes,” advises Dr Sharad.
Additionally, lifestyle changes like reducing alcohol, caffeine and sugar intake, limiting salt, exercising regularly and having a healthy diet can further support your recovery by helping you manage stress better.
If late-night doom scrolling sessions on Instagram have convinced you that you in fact do suffer from cortisol face, you’ve landed on the right page. First things first, it turns out ‘cortisol face’ is not a real medical term. But sure enough, excess cortisol levels can indeed cause a rounded, puffy face, more accurately known as ‘moon facies’. This goes beyond your typical morning puffiness and can become a chronic condition that won’t just go away with a quick cold shower.
Facial massages using tools such as a gua sha or a jade roller can be the most effective solution for reducing general puffiness. In most cases, icing your face can also help bring down puffiness considerably. This raises the question—does a jade roller or gua sha massage work just as well for cortisol face?
“A gua sha/jade roller massage can help in lymphatic drainage of the face and boost overall relaxation too. But it does not address the root cause of raised cortisol. Hence, whatever little benefit you may derive from it is at best temporary,” clarifies Dr Sharad.
If facial massages are only temporary fixes, how does one treat cortisol face at its root? To find out, it’s first important to fully understand this hormone.
Is cortisol all bad only because of its association with stress? It turns out cortisol, in the correct amount, is just as crucial for your body as any other hormone and aids the smooth functioning of many important physiological processes.
Dr Sharad explains, “Cortisol is a crucial hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It plays a key role in managing the body's response to stress. But that is not all. It also regulates the body’s metabolism, reduces inflammation, modulates the immune system, maintains blood pressure and supports a healthy circadian rhythm. Additionally, cortisol influences mood and emotional balance, making it essential for overall physical and mental well-being.”
She also mentions that a host of factors like chronic stress and alcohol intake can temporarily cause your cortisol levels to rise. But what happens when your cortisol levels shoot up beyond the healthy limit? Here are some tell-tale signs Dr Sharad warns about. “It can lead to a range of physical and metabolic changes, including weight gain, particularly in the face (moon facies) and abdomen. It also causes fat deposits between the shoulder blades (buffalo hump),” says Dr Sharad.
She further adds, “It also thins the skin, which might lead to purple stretch marks, acne and increased hair growth on the face (hirsutism), along with darkened skin folds. Additionally, high cortisol levels can contribute to hair loss. Over time, it can elevate your blood pressure and blood sugar levels and contribute to mood disorders like depression and anxiety, muscle weakness and reduced bone density.”
If you’re experiencing chronic facial puffiness that just won’t go away with a facial massage and are also noticing other symptoms of high cortisol, it’s best not to take it lightly, as this could be due to an underlying medical condition.
“The first step is to consult a dermatologist or endocrinologist for proper evaluation. If you're using steroids without medical necessity, it's important to gradually reduce them under medical supervision. Your doctor will help identify other potential causes,” advises Dr Sharad.
Additionally, lifestyle changes like reducing alcohol, caffeine and sugar intake, limiting salt, exercising regularly and having a healthy diet can further support your recovery by helping you manage stress better.
If late-night doom scrolling sessions on Instagram have convinced you that you in fact do suffer from cortisol face, you’ve landed on the right page. First things first, it turns out ‘cortisol face’ is not a real medical term. But sure enough, excess cortisol levels can indeed cause a rounded, puffy face, more accurately known as ‘moon facies’. This goes beyond your typical morning puffiness and can become a chronic condition that won’t just go away with a quick cold shower.
Facial massages using tools such as a gua sha or a jade roller can be the most effective solution for reducing general puffiness. In most cases, icing your face can also help bring down puffiness considerably. This raises the question—does a jade roller or gua sha massage work just as well for cortisol face?
“A gua sha/jade roller massage can help in lymphatic drainage of the face and boost overall relaxation too. But it does not address the root cause of raised cortisol. Hence, whatever little benefit you may derive from it is at best temporary,” clarifies Dr Sharad.
If facial massages are only temporary fixes, how does one treat cortisol face at its root? To find out, it’s first important to fully understand this hormone.
Is cortisol all bad only because of its association with stress? It turns out cortisol, in the correct amount, is just as crucial for your body as any other hormone and aids the smooth functioning of many important physiological processes.
Dr Sharad explains, “Cortisol is a crucial hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It plays a key role in managing the body's response to stress. But that is not all. It also regulates the body’s metabolism, reduces inflammation, modulates the immune system, maintains blood pressure and supports a healthy circadian rhythm. Additionally, cortisol influences mood and emotional balance, making it essential for overall physical and mental well-being.”
She also mentions that a host of factors like chronic stress and alcohol intake can temporarily cause your cortisol levels to rise. But what happens when your cortisol levels shoot up beyond the healthy limit? Here are some tell-tale signs Dr Sharad warns about. “It can lead to a range of physical and metabolic changes, including weight gain, particularly in the face (moon facies) and abdomen. It also causes fat deposits between the shoulder blades (buffalo hump),” says Dr Sharad.
She further adds, “It also thins the skin, which might lead to purple stretch marks, acne and increased hair growth on the face (hirsutism), along with darkened skin folds. Additionally, high cortisol levels can contribute to hair loss. Over time, it can elevate your blood pressure and blood sugar levels and contribute to mood disorders like depression and anxiety, muscle weakness and reduced bone density.”
If you’re experiencing chronic facial puffiness that just won’t go away with a facial massage and are also noticing other symptoms of high cortisol, it’s best not to take it lightly, as this could be due to an underlying medical condition.
“The first step is to consult a dermatologist or endocrinologist for proper evaluation. If you're using steroids without medical necessity, it's important to gradually reduce them under medical supervision. Your doctor will help identify other potential causes,” advises Dr Sharad.
Additionally, lifestyle changes like reducing alcohol, caffeine and sugar intake, limiting salt, exercising regularly and having a healthy diet can further support your recovery by helping you manage stress better.
