The Mind-Skin-Health Connection

Skin. It's where our inside meets the outside. A defense against the external world, but it's also a way to explore new sensations and to caress what we find desirable.

There's a connection between the mind and the skin, says Ted A. Grossbart, PhD, a psychologist at Harvard Medical School in Boston and author of Skin Deep: A Mind/Body Program for Healthy Skin.

How Do Your Emotions Really Suit You?

"All parts of the body react to our emotions, but the skin is the one suit we never take off. Because it's the border between the inside and the outside, it's full of all the intrigue and byplay that accompanies being on the border," says Grossbart.

Because mind and skin are intimately connected, Grossbart and others are encouraging people to use mind-body relaxation and stress-reduction methods in addition to conventional medicines when dealing with skin problems.

"Our bodies respond to an imagined situation as if it were real," Grossbart says. "If you picture yourself sitting by the fire, your toes actually get warmer. Since some skin conditions respond to external conditions, visualizing an image of dry sunlight or cool moisture may help your skin feel more comfortable."

"There does seem to be a relationship between the mind and the skin, though proving this scientifically can be quite difficult," says Derek H. Jones, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Los Angeles and clinical assistant professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. "It's well-known that when someone has psoriasis, stress tends to make the problem worse."