trend points to this hormone as responsible for facial swelling

Recently, many women have been taking to social media to blame the hormone cortisol for causing their rounded, fuller faces. There are several 'before and after' reports that are truly impressive. They show their faces before, fuller and with rounded features, and then show them after, with their faces thinner and longer. These women have called this 'phenomenon' the 'cortisol face'. According to them, these hormones are responsible for the initial facial swelling and, once stress is controlled, the levels become more regulated, making the face look thinner.

There are several reports of women who adopted healthy habits and managed to slim their faces. Influencer Mandana Zarghami, in a video for Tiktok, starts off by saying: “You're not ugly, you just have 'cortisol face.'” and then goes on to explain practices that can help control stress and hormones. However, experts argue that the reality is a little different. Check out what doctors say about these characteristics below.

@mandanazarghami 3 Natural Ways to Get Rid of That Cortisol Face #health #well-being #healthtips #cortisollevels #insulinresistance #creatorresearchinsights #swelling #shinetips ♬ original sound – Mandana

^{Influencer Mandana Zarghami giving tips on how to control hormones (Video: reproduction/Tiktok/@mandanazarghami)}

Does cortisol harm?

“Cortisol is a vital hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is stimulated by another hormone that comes from the pituitary gland, ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone” because it has several actions in response to stressful situations. For example, when there is a stressful situation, we are faced with a ‘fight or flight’ situation.”informs endocrinologist Claudia Chang, from São Paulo.

It is also important to note that cortisol has recently been strongly condemned for its relationship with stress. However, it is important to remember that it has vital functions for the proper functioning of the body. It is responsible for waking us up in the morning, reducing inflammation and contributing to the functioning of the immune system. “A very interesting fact is that cortisol has a “rhythm” depending on the time of day. There is a peak secretion at 8 am and lower levels around 11 pm. It is very common for people to measure cortisol in their blood in the morning and think that their levels are ‘high’, when this is actually what is expected.”explains the doctor.

Hormone deficiency

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the body, so depending on its level, it is completely healthy for the human body. According to doctors, even with daily stress, the amount produced is not enough to cause what social media claims. “Cortisol, even if increased, as we usually find in the clinical exams we request from patients, is not enough to round the face.”highlights dermatologist Claudia Marçal.

“It is important to emphasize that, even if someone is exposed to stressful situations, with increased cortisol production, this is different from an individual who has high levels of the hormone due to a tumor, for example. A tumor in the pituitary gland or adrenal gland can lead to cortisol levels in a condition we call Cushing's Syndrome.”adds Chang.

In the case cited by the endocrinologist, in addition to facial swelling, the individual presents central weight gain (more abdominal accumulation), muscular weakness, large-caliber violet stretch marks, spontaneous ecchymosis (bruises on the body even without having suffered an impact), psychological changes (usually depression), filling of the supraclavicular fossa, facial plethora (persistently red cheekbones).

In addition, the person may also experience metabolic changes such as increased blood pressure (hypertension), high blood glucose (blood sugar) and cholesterol/triglyceride levels. “Cushing's syndrome can also be induced by the use of steroids, i.e. corticosteroids, in high doses and for a prolonged period of time as medication”Claudia adds, explaining that there is another common cause of the syndrome other than the tumor.

Influencer Sarah sharing her 'before and after' of the 'cortisol face' (Photo: reproduction/Tiktok/@sweethartsarah)

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Image after the 'cortisol face' (Photo: reproduction/Tiktok/@sweethartsarah)

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According to dermatologist Mônica Aribi, people who are posting their 'before and after' photos on social media are most likely ignoring other possible factors that may have led to their facial thinning. “As people age, their fat pads start to reposition. They become more flaccid and move down, forming those little bags under the eyelids, for example, or even that cheek on the side of the lips.”says Monica.

A person's own weight loss can change their face. In addition, there are other causes that can lead to temporary swelling that have been shared on social media. “If a person consumes too much salt or alcohol, this can lead to swelling of the face and eyelids. Or even inappropriate and excessive dermatological procedures, such as the exaggerated use of polylactic acid for collagen biostimulation, excess hyaluronic acid for fillers, or Botox when 'anchoring' occurs, which immobilizes a part of the face and makes it appear larger.”says the dermatologist.

Dubious impression

Another important factor to highlight is the altered perception that can be generated by the constant use of cameras and constant contact with one's own image. Since the pandemic, our routine has become increasingly technological and the constant use of multiple screens and video calls has only increased.

According to a study conducted by the University of Galway in Ireland, these meetings can make participants feel tired and exhausted. The analysis, which was led by Eoin Whelan from the School of Business and Economics, was carried out using electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring of 32 volunteers, 16 men and 16 women. All of them participated in a live meeting on the Zoom platform, with self-viewing mode activated and deactivated at different times. According to the notes made by the device, fatigue was greater when the participants could see themselves on the screens.

According to psychologist and PhD in psychology from USP, Cristina Moreira Fonseca, the notion of self-image has been distorted by the constant use of technology. “We are more sensitive and critical about our image. Because of social media and other technologies, we have started to see ourselves through a magnifying glass. We evaluate ourselves rigidly and critically, as if it were possible to have no flaws. And we know that this is not possible.”says the doctor.

This can lead to a type of hyperfocus on one's own face, helping to identify natural changes in the face that, in order for the brain to understand them, require far-fetched explanations.

Featured photo: Influencers who advocate the 'cortisol face' (reproduction/Tiktok/@itsbrookeelle and @anci.social)