Just because you aren't a biologist doesn't mean you can't enjoy some of the latest scientific breakthroughs in skin care. Remember that the skin is the largest organ of the body, integral to detoxification and circulation, and that skin maintenance is part of your overall health and wellbeing. Every day we learn new ways to keep skin clear, firm, and younger-looking for longer.
Here are some of the best techniques for improving the texture and tone of your skin:
Tone the muscles of your face: There are 57 muscles in your face and neck, and they need care just like the rest of your muscles. Over time, your habitual facial expressions overwork some muscles and weaken others, leading to facial grooves, creases, and deep wrinkle patterns. Taking care of your facial muscles can create balance between these over- and under-worked muscles and counter the signs of aging. Here are a couple tips to help do just that:
Facial exercises: Regular facial exercises strengthen the weaker muscles of the face, improving the shape and tightening weak areas, particularly along the chin and jawline. Exercises also improve circulation, which nourishes the skin and improves the complexion.
Facial massage: Just as workout and relaxation benefit the muscles of the body, exercise and massage benefit the muscles of the face. Massage promotes relaxation of over-stressed muscles related to our habitual facial expressions, decreasing deep creases in the brow and upper face. Massage also promotes circulation, bringing nutrients and oxygen to the top layer of the skin and boosting the complexion.
Dry skin brushing: Dry brushing helps exfoliate and remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Not only does that help brighten skin and remove dullness, but it promotes now skin cell growth and renewal, and prevents clogged pores that damage skin and block it from absorbing healthy nutrients. Dry brushing also promotes circulation and lymphatic drainage, helping to release toxins and eliminate metabolic waste.
Infrared light treatments: Infrared light stimulates the skin without the potential damage of ultraviolet light. Infrared light increases the activity of fibroblasts that produce collagen, as well as stimulating activity in other skin repair cells, promoting healing and improving the health of the skin. It also boosts circulation, blood vessel function, and oxygen levels in the body.
GHK-Cu peptide serums: This naturally-occurring copper peptide has a host of skin health and anti-aging benefits. Our natural production of GHK-Cu peptide decreases over time, contributing to the appearance of aging skin. GHK-Cu peptide has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, stimulates production of collagen and blood vessels, and promotes wound healing. Incredibly, GHK-Cu peptide has gene modulating effects that actually reverse gene expressions back to healthier and younger states and has even been shown to regenerate nerves.
Cryotherapy treatments: Cryotherapy is simply exposing the body to extreme cold temperatures for a very short time. While it may not sound like a skin care treatment, the benefits are extraordinary. During the extreme cold, blood and body fluids retreat to the core of the body to preserve your vital organs. The shock of the cold triggers an adrenaline response from your brain, flooding the body with chemicals. When normal temperature is restored a few seconds later, blood surges back toward the extremities, carrying oxygen and nutrients to the skin. In addition, the adrenaline response triggers multiple natural processes that immediately promote healing, reduce inflammation and remove toxins.
These biohacks simply leverage the natural processes and inclinations of the body to promote nourished skin, reduce the signs of aging, and boost your overall health. The more we learn about the body, the more effectively we are able to use that knowledge to preserve our good looks and quality of life for decades.