Cortisol Face or Moon Face is a viral trend on TikTok, which however is based on false myths that must be debunked to avoid the proliferation of DIY and dangerous generalizations.
Interview with Dr. Ines Mordente
specialist in Dermatology and Venereology
Swollen face in the morning? There’s no problem: in a few simple steps you can deflate it. This is how we can summarize, in a few words, the trend that has been traveling fast on TikTok for a few weeks, racking up millions of views. The influencers propose various remedies for what they have renamed Moon Face o Cortisol Face: herbal teas, yoga exercises, diets, supplements. Basic, they attribute facial swelling to cortisol levels: lowering this value, in their interpretations, deflates the face, making it more harmonious. But is it really like that? How much truth is there in all this? Doctor Ines Mordente, specialist in Dermatology and Venereology, responded to Fanpage.it. The expert immediately clarified: “We need to teach kids to understand who’s on the other side and give them information. Is this a doctor teaching me how to take care of myself and do prevention? Or is it an influencer who perhaps for commercial reasons is offering me a certain supplement?“.
What is Moon Face or Cortisol Face
When we talk about Moon Face or Cortisol Face on TikTok we are referring to a aesthetic defect to remedy: swelling of the face, especially in the morning as soon as you wake up. In the “before and after” videos, photos of the improvement are placed side by side, to demonstrate the change: with a round face first and, as if by magic, with a less soft face then. Influencers trace bloating to one single cause: cortisol levels. They then give their quick solution: lower the cortisol level with herbal teas, supplements, yoga, eliminating some foods.
These Generalized advice is potentially harmful: “These are important choices. But if you talk to a boy about nutrition and tell him to eliminate some foods so as not to have the Moon Face, you don’t know if perhaps on the other side there is a boy perhaps with an eating disorder. What can be triggered? An aggravation, with important consequences on health. Or recommending supplements without having done an adequate medical analysis of imbalances and deficiencies is very dangerous. It can make the situation worse. They sometimes recommend draining supplements, but these may conflict if you are taking other medications or supplements. The general picture, medical surveillance, is important. It also depends on the person’s age, sex, habits, family history and work“.
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Ines Mordente
The link between cortisol and swelling is a false myth
Is a round and swollen face in the morning always due to a high level of cortisol, therefore excessive stress? The answer is provided by Dr. Ines Mordente, who has not missed the danger of the viral trend on TikTok. This danger derives from one oversimplificationfrom one generalization which is easy to believe, but which does not have effective confirmation in all situations.
The expert clarified: “A swollen face is not always a symptom of a serious problem and attributing it exclusively to stress is a common mistake. In reality, facial swelling can have several causes and cortisol is just one of the possible ones. The natural circadian rhythm of cortisol, which varies throughout the day, can slightly affect the appearance of the face, especially in the morning“.
Specifically he explained: “The circadian rhythm is the sleep-wake rhythm. In this rhythm there is an alternation of hormones. Cortisol levels are highest at the beginning of the day, decrease throughout the day, and reach their lowest levels in the late afternoon. In the morning the face is normally more swollen, because cortisol is higher. If we all look in the mirror our face is more swollen, but it deflates on its own over the course of the day: it’s a hormonal game“.
Others too factors can contribute to a more puffy face: water retention, lack of sleep, weight gain, health problems such as infections, allergies, dental problems, thyroid disease or other medical conditions. But about that: “Evaluations of these more or less serious pathologies must be made by the doctor. There are many factors that cannot be contained in a Reel in which a single remedy is given for all“.
Following someone who isn’t really an expert on the subject can lead you astray from your problem (assuming there is a problem). “I have seen people spend huge sums on miracle products and go on excessive diets, all based on misleading information – added the dermatologist – It is essential to remember that health cannot be bought on the Internet and that each person is unique, with specific needs. If you notice persistent facial swelling, it is important to see a doctor for a thorough evaluation. The doctor will be able to identify the causes of the problem and suggest the most suitable treatment“.
The information provided on www.fanpage.it is designed to integrate, not replace, the relationship between a patient and their doctor.
2024-10-08 18:11:12