The Stretching Glow
The “Yoga Glow” is a term that the wellness-world and beauty industry use to reflect the complexion of somebody who has just come out of a yoga class. Turns out, stretching may actually impact your skin in much the same way!
How does stretching affect your skin?
The skin is the largest organ on the body. It comprises living tissue, and it needs to stay elastic, active and nourished to be healthy, and give off that glow. As described by Alain Saint-Dic, head of training and development at Stretch Relief, as quoted in a Well and Good article, “Stretching delivers extra blood flow to skin”. This extra blood flow can give the that flushed and rosy appearance to skin. That extra blood flow that comes from stretching can also add nutrients and hydration to the skin, which can help strengthen it, and may even help minimize signs of aging.
In the same Well and Good article, dermatologist Joshua Zeichner describes how “Stretching can help loosen muscles and may promote good circulation, and optimal delivery of oxygen and nutrients” which is needed for skin functioning. While it isn’t clear if the results from stretching on the improvement of skin appearance would be that noticeable, stretching can provide an instant perk to the complexion, and could be an added way to take care of your skin.
Stretching can provide stress-relieving effects, and the more regularly you stretch the larger the impact these stress-relieving effects may have on your skin. When we are stressed, the hormone cortisol spikes, and cortisol is linked to skin health. Spikes in cortisol can increase sebum production and lead to acne. By decreasing your overall stress levels through a good stretch session, your stress hormone levels can lower, and your skin improve. Alain Saint-Dic further emphasizes how “stretches that target high stress areas in the body … will have a positive effect on skin health”.
While stretching won’t magically improve your skin alone, it can play an important role in maintaining healthy skin as we age and go through different periods in our lives. Assisted stretching can help make stretching part of your routine, so that you can reap the rewards that consistent stretching may have on our skin.
Sources:
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/easy-stretch-sequence-before-your-skin-care-routine
https://www.dietzones.com/article/stretching-your-ultimate-daily-skincare-routine-tip
https://www.wellandgood.com/stretching-for-better-skin/
https://www.adelaidehillsbikram.com.au/bikram-yoga/the-power-of-stretching-for-skin-health/