Football Fans Beware: ‘Fanxiety Face’ Can Age You
Football season is in full swing, but before you get too wrapped up in the excitement and stress of rooting for your favorite team, beware of what it could be doing to your skin. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah recently issued a warning about the impact of “fanxiety face” on your skin, and it’s not pretty.
The Dangers of ‘Fanxiety Face’
According to Dr. Shah, the act of holding your face in a stressed, squinting expression while watching a game can lead to the formation of lines that can age you prematurely. This often happens when fans are intensely focused on the game, squinting, and worrying, leading to the development of furrowed brows, 11 lines, and horizontal creases on the forehead.
While the emotional rollercoaster of football season can be exhilarating, it can also have detrimental effects on your skin. Dr. Shah highlighted that high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, can increase during games, leading to decreased collagen production and potential breakouts.
Defending Against ‘Fanxiety Face’
So, what can football fans do to combat the effects of “fanxiety face”? Dr. Shah recommends a multi-pronged approach, including using injectables like Botox, if that’s your preference, or opting for skincare products that can help mitigate the impact of stress on your skin.
In addition to a retinoid, moisturizer, and sunscreen, Dr. Shah suggested incorporating products like Neutrogena’s Collagen Bank line into your skincare routine. These products are designed to protect collagen and elastin, essential components for maintaining youthful, resilient skin.
Expert Insights on Skin Health
Dr. Shah also shed light on the limitations of topical collagen products and emphasized the importance of choosing products with smaller molecules that can effectively penetrate the skin. By stimulating collagen and elastin production, these products can help your skin recover more quickly from the effects of stress-induced facial expressions.
So, whether you’re a die-hard football fanatic or a casual observer, the impact of “fanxiety face” is something to consider. Remember, taking care of your skin goes beyond what you put on it – it’s also about how you treat it. And as Dr. Shah noted, skin aging due to sports-induced stress is a concern for both men and women alike, so everyone should be mindful of their skin health during game time.