“Cortisol Face.” Does that ring a bell? TikTok is all about it, and according to influencers, if you wake up with a puffy face and bags under your eyes, it’s because you’re suffering from excess cortisol, the stress hormone. “You’re not ugly, you just have a “cortisol face” ». “This is a sign that you are not taking enough care of yourself. You should drink a spoonful of cider vinegar diluted in hot water, every morning, on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before having breakfast. You should also walk 10,000 steps a day (…) The cortisol face disappears thanks to walking (…) Finally, you should drink two to three cups of green tea every day”we can hear on the social network. Annoyed by the false information circulating on the web, experts are reestablishing the truth about a real medical condition.
What some TikTok users are talking about is actually called Crushing syndrome or “moon face.” It can be triggered by taking high doses of steroids for long periods of time to treat medical conditions. It can also happen to people with pituitary tumors. Because pituitary tumors stimulate the adrenal gland to produce cortisol. Adrenal tumors also overproduce cortisol.
“This is usually a temporary condition that improves once your cortisol levels normalize. However, if the cause of the high cortisol persists or returns, the puffiness may also go away.”explains Dr Lucy Sekhon, a specialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI), to the media Pop Sugar.
High stress doesn’t raise cortisol enough to make your face puffy
“But daily stress does not raise cortisol levels enough or for long enough to cause significant facial swelling and bloating.”assures Dr. Mallika Marshall to CBS News.
Non, “high stress does not cause cortisol levels to be high enough to cause a cortisol face,” adds Dr. Caroline Messer, endocrinologist, to Pop Sugar. However, “Stress eating can lead to facial weight gain that mimics the cortisol face.” Hence the confusion of many Internet users.
If you notice that your face is much fuller and rounder in the cheeks and neck than usual, try limiting your alcohol and salt intake, drinking more water and getting enough sleep.
“Excess cortisol or Cushing’s syndrome is not common. Cortisol face doesn’t happen if you’re tired or stressed – but you can retain fluids, have a puffy face, and not feel your best because of fatigue, eating high-sodium foods, and unhealthy lifestyle choices, explains Dr. Sekhon. While high cortisol can be worrisome, it’s often not a reason to panic unless you have other serious symptoms suggesting a true hormonal imbalance.”
Sur TikTok, “The vast majority of faces suspected of suffering from cortisol are in fact simply due to weight gain,” assures Dr. Messer.
If symptoms persist, consult
On the other hand, if despite adjusting your lifestyle the phenomenon persists, it may be an underlying health problem. “If If you notice persistent swelling in your face, abdomen, or legs, you should see a healthcare professional to rule out more serious medical problems.”recommends Dr. Mallika Marshall. However, don’t test your cortisol levels while you’re on the pill, as you may get a falsely elevated result.
If after a medical consultation and blood tests it turns out that you really do suffer from a cortisol problem, it will be a matter of treating the problem at the root. “This may involve taking medications to treat conditions such as Cushing’s syndrome, adjusting or reducing corticosteroid use with your doctor’s advice, or making lifestyle changes to reduce stress. Diet and exercise can also help. Surgery is usually a last resort, used in severe cases where tumors are causing excess cortisol,” explains Dr. Sekhon.
“Since I stopped taking corticosteroids, I look more like myself”
In another article dedicated to the subjectPop Sugar tells the story of a young woman who really suffered from Crushing syndrome. In 2021, the unfortunate woman suffered two ischemic strokes. These forced her to take high-dose corticosteroids for several months. To her great despair, she then saw her face transform and swell inexorably.
“Since coming off corticosteroids, I’ve looked more like myself and my mental health has improved. I can’t say I expected the cortisol face to become the latest TikTok obsession (…). As someone with a chronic illness, I know I’m still working on healing my relationship with my body (including my old cortisol face), but at least it feels good to know it’s mine again,” she says.
Source: www.topsante.com
