Cortisol face, a situation that may make your face look extra rounded, and puffy, has been trending on TikTok. Many customers of the platform are claiming that it’s a outstanding facet impact of getting excessive ranges of cortisol or stress hormone within the physique. To show their level, TikTok customers are displaying their “cortisol face” together with an “after” picture of a much less bloated face. On the subject of our physique, cortisol has many capabilities. Mediating the stress response is one among its key capabilities. However is every day stress to be blamed for facial bloating or is it only a false impression?

What’s cortisol face?

The literal which means of the time period “moon face” or “cortisol face” is the looks of puffiness or rounding of facial options, shares dermatologist Dr Neha Khuraana. There isn’t a medical analysis known as “cortisol face”. Quite it’s only a symptom that includes bodily adjustments within the facial options on account of sure underlying well being issues corresponding to Cushing’s syndrome. It could actually trigger weight acquire within the face.

Can on a regular basis stress result in cortisol face?

Attributing cortisol face to emphasize ranges is {a partially} appropriate assertion. The principle reason behind such a facial look is Cushing’s Syndrome, during which the physique endogenously produces extra cortisol hormone, says psychiatrist Dr Ashish Bansal.

Cushing’s syndrome is because of extended publicity to excessive ranges of cortisol, in line with a analysis revealed in StatPearls in 2023. However this syndrome is uncommon, as its annual incidence ranged between 1.8 and three.2 instances per  million inhabitants, in line with a analysis revealed in Greatest Apply and Analysis Medical Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2021.

On a regular basis stress undoubtedly raises the physique’s cortisol ranges, however these are short-lived and should not trigger cortisol face, says Dr Bansal. If the cortisol ranges are excessive, they’ll trigger water and sodium retention in facial tissues, and result in a puffy face. However these bodily adjustments gained’t be outstanding.

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As for Cushing’s syndrome, it’s attributed to different causes too –

• Pituitary adenomas: Tumor cell development that’s benign within the pituitary gland results in the manufacturing of excessive ranges of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), which makes the physique produce extra cortisol hormone.
• Adrenal tumors: Benign tumor development in a single or each the adrenal glands disposes the physique to excessive threat of extra cortisol manufacturing, says Dr Bansal.
• Ectopic ACTH syndrome: Any tumor development exterior the pituitary gland could also be within the lungs, which in flip produces extra adrenocorticotropic hormone triggering cortisol manufacturing.
• Corticosteroid medication: When corticosteroids corresponding to prednisone or dexamethasone are used for a long run, they result in excessive ranges of cortisol within the blood. Such medication are normally prescribed in autoimmune issues corresponding to bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Methods to do away with puffy face?

The principle process is discovering the reason for facial puffiness.

1. Cushing’s syndrome

The remedy choices accessible for coping with Cushing’s syndrome embody a surgical intervention, radiation remedy or drugs to lower blood cortisol ranges, says Dr Bansal. For the tumor cell development within the pituitary gland, a surgical procedure through nostril is carried out named transsphenoidal surgical procedure. For most cancers cell development within the one or each adrenal glands, the affected half or gland is eliminated through adrenalectomy. If on account of sure circumstances primarily widespread tumor development, surgical procedure just isn’t an choice, radiations are given with a purpose to detect and kill the tumor cells. Sure medication corresponding to ketoconazole, metyrapone, and mifepristone may be prescribed by your physician. They both cease the manufacturing of cortisol hormone within the physique or inhibit its motion.

2. Way of life adjustments

Have a healthful weight-reduction plan inclusive of complete grains, fruits, greens and protein, says Dr Khuraana. Restrict sodium consumption, which can result in water retention and extra facial puffy look. Additionally, excessive cortisol ranges are attributed to chubby, so interact in common bodily train to handle physique weight.

3. Chorus from consuming alcohol

Have average consumption of alcohol so that you just don’t find yourself with a puffy face. Girls who bask in heavy consuming (greater than eight alcoholic drinks per week) usually tend to have puffy faces than others, as per a research revealed within the Journal of Medical and Aesthetic Dermatology in 2019.

4. Eat much less inflammatory meals

Irritation might result in swelling, and so, it will probably contribute to face wanting bloated. Scale back consumption of meals which will trigger irritation within the physique. The record consists of ultra-processed meals, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates.

5. Sleep effectively

Poor high quality sleep might negatively have an effect on your well being. It could actually make you’re feeling irritable, and likewise trigger an infected face. Attempt to have a 7 to eight hours of sound sleep at night time, suggests Dr Bansal.

On a regular basis stress can not provide you with a “cortisol face”, however the stress hormone might play a job in your face being puffy. It may be on account of Cushing’s syndrome, which is uncommon.